Lesson 8

Modal verbs

Modal verb is a type of auxiliary verbs that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or
obligation.
The modals in English are;
 Can/could/be able to.
 May/might
 Shall/should
 Must/have to/ought to
 Will/would

 Can/could, may/might – express possibility and permission.

“Can” is used to say that something is possible.
Example: cooking can be a real pleasure
- You can read my book
You use “cannot” or “can’t” to say that something is not possible
Example: this cannot be the answer
- You can’t be serious.
 Can and could is also used to express ability and permission.
Ability
Example: he can dance kizomba really well.
- He can speak French and English
Permission
Example: students you can go home now
- You can take my pen
 Could/might and may are used to indicate that you are not certain (sure) whether
something is possible but you think is it
Example: that could be the reason he is angry.
- He might come today
- They may help us with the cleanup
  Must/ought to/should and will express possibility and certainty
“Should or ought to” are used to say that something is probably true or will happen.
Example: we should arrive home at 8:00 PM
“Must” is used to say that something is true and you are sure
Example: you must be Amina’s husband.
“will” is used to say that something is certain to happen in the future.
Example: next year I will have 35 years.
- I’ll come tomorrow

Exercises
1. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of can/could.
Example: can I call you tonight?
I. ___________ Tony run long distances?
II. ___________ you please call a taxi for me.
III. Students you ___________ go home now.
2. Fill the gaps with should/shouldn’t.
Example: he shouldn’t encourage such a bad behavior.
I. You _____________ brush your teeth.
II. You _____________ put your feet on the table
III. The government _________________ help poor people.