MODAL VERBS

What are modal verbs?

• Modal verbs (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs,

modal auxiliaries) are special verbs that give additional
information about the function of the main verb.
• Examples : CAN, COULD, SHOULD and so on.
• Types of modal verbs
1.Advice
2.Obligation
3.Permission
4.Prohibition
 Modals
• Structure
: You should see a doctor.
Modal Verbs OF

Advice
 Should
- Used to give advice and make recommendations.
- For example:
- I think you shouldn’t BE lazy to do your homework.
- We should wake up in early morning because we must go to school.
• Should is used for advice in the present.

• For negative advice.

 Modal Verbs OF

Obligation
 Obligation

• OBLIGATION means something by which a person is obliged to do,

and which arises out of a sense of duty or results from custom, law,
and so on.

• We can use
• - have to + infinitive (V.1)
• - must + infinitive (V.1)
• - should + infinitive (V.1)
• to express obligation (Something you have to do)
 Have to /
Don't have to
Positive Obligation Negative Obligation
☀ Use for strong obligation ☀ Use "Don't have to" to show
☀ This is usually referring to a rule or law something that is not necessary

Examples: Examples:
-Children have to go to school. -I don't have to work on Sundays.
-You have to be careful with scissors. -You don't have to eat anything you
don't like.
 Must (Must Have) /
Mustn't
Positive Obligation Negative Obligation
☀ Strong obligation (possibly based on ☀ "Must not" shows something that
the speaker's opinion) is prohibited
: I must study today.
☀ It is formal and normally used in Examples:
writing -You mustn't smoke here.
:You must use a pencil on the test. -You mustn’t eat in the computer room.
☀ Logic/Certainty (Food in the
computer room is prohibited.)
 SPECIAL EXAMPLE
• Here is an example of the difference between 'have to' and 'must':

• -My doctor said that I have to stop smoking or I'll risk serious
problems. (I have no choice)
Vs.
• -I must stop smoking. It’s costing me too much money. (It’s my
decision)
 NOTE TO SELF:

• Be careful about the difference between don't have to and

mustn't!

• Don't have to means you don't need to do something, but it's

fine if you want to do it:
• -I don't have to get up early at the weekend (of course, if I want
to get up early, that's fine, but I can stay in bed if I want).

• Mustn't means it's not allowed, or it's a bad idea:

• -You mustn't eat so much chocolate, you'll be sick.
 Modal Verbs OF

Permission
 Definition of PERMISSION

: the right or ability to do something that is given by someone

who has the power to decide if it will be allowed or
permitted
 Express Permission

• We also often use “allowed to”

• Allowed to is used with the verb “be”
I am allowed to go home early.

He/she/it is allowed to go home early.

You/we/they are allowed to go home early.

 Ask For Permission

• We often use “can” to ask for permission.

Ex. Can I go home now?
Can we eat this pizza?

• Could is more formal and polite than can.

Ex. Could I play a video games?
Could I smoke at the school?

• May is another more formal and polite way.

Ex. May I go to shopping?
May I drink water?
 Give Permission
• We also often use “can” to give permission
Ex. You can go home now.
You can eat this pizza.

• Could is more formal and polite than can, and we use could to say that
something was permitted in the past

Ex. You could play a video games .

You could smoke at the school 15 years ago.

• May is more formal and polite way to give permission

Ex. You may go shopping.
You may drink water.
 Modal Verbs OF

Prohibition
 Prohibition
• We use: “can’t”, “(be) not allowed to, mustn't: o say that something isn’t
permitted.
Ex. -You can’t go how now.
-You can't drive in this
country unless you are over
eighteen.
-You mustn't use your
phone in class
 TEST YOURSELF

• You don’t look very well, you go to

work.
 TEST YOURSELF

• Mrs. Johnnie's body was found in

the lounge just moments ago, and
it's still warm! Nobody has left the
mansion this evening, so the killer
must be someone in this room.
It could be any one of
us!!!
 TEST YOURSELF

• She doesn’t have to get up early today, because it's

Sunday.
 TEST YOURSELF

• You mustn’t tell anyone what I just told you. It's a

secret.
 TEST YOURSELF

• Ned: Can I borrow your lighter for a minute?

Sarah: Sure, no problem. Actually, you Can keep it
if you want to. I've given up smoking.