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Understanding Modal Verbs in English

The document discusses modal verbs in English and provides examples of their use. Modal verbs add additional meaning to sentences and behave irregularly. They are used to indicate ability, permission, advice, obligation, prohibition, lack of obligation, possibility, and deduction. Examples are given for affirmative sentences, negative sentences, and questions using different modal verbs like can, could, may, should, must, have to, and others.

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Chelo García Santalla
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243 views1 page

Understanding Modal Verbs in English

The document discusses modal verbs in English and provides examples of their use. Modal verbs add additional meaning to sentences and behave irregularly. They are used to indicate ability, permission, advice, obligation, prohibition, lack of obligation, possibility, and deduction. Examples are given for affirmative sentences, negative sentences, and questions using different modal verbs like can, could, may, should, must, have to, and others.

Uploaded by

Chelo García Santalla
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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MODAL VERBS they behave irregularly in English and give additional information

Affirmative sentence: Subject + modal verb + verb (bare infinitive) Ex: I can swim

Negative sentence: Subject + modal verb + not + verb (bare infinitive) Ex: I can´t swim

Questions: modal verb + subject + verb (bare infinitive) Ex: Can you swim?

FUNCTION TYPE MODAL VERB EXAMPLES


Ability/inability CAN/COULD I can speak three languages
When I was 5, I couldn´t swim.
Permission CAN,COULD,MAY Can/could/may I go to the
restroom? Yes, you can.
Advice SHOULD/SHOULDN´T You should use a vacuum
cleaner to dust the floor.
Obligation HAVE TO/HAS TO/MUST He has to wear a uniform for
work.
We must protect the
environment.
Prohibition MUST NOT/MUSTN´T You mustn´t smoke in public
places.
Lack of DON´T HAVE TO/DOESN´T HAVE TO He doesn´t have to work on
obligation DON’T NEED TO /DOESN´T NEED TO Sundays.
You don´t need to use that
product.

Possibility and MUST= 100 % certain He must be the receptionist. I


deduction MAY/ MIGHT / COULD = 50% certain ´m sure.
CAN´T = 0% impossible Look at those clouds! I think it
may rain this evening.
They can´t be at home. The
lights are off.
MUST strong obligation. It´s personal. It involves the speaker´s opinion.

HAVE TO strong obligation. It´s external (law, rules, etc.)

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