MODALS & SEMI-MODALS (E I C: C 2 – UNIT 10: LESSON 1)

MODALS AND SEMI-MODALS

CAN BE
Speaking goal: Criticize someone
CAN BE + SO / VERY + ADJECTIVE

1. A: So, what do you think about Dylan?

B: To tell you the truth. I can’t stand him. He can be so / very
obnoxious.

MUST / HAVE TO, HAS TO / BE SUPPOSED TO / NEED TO, NEEDS TO

Speaking goal: Talk about external obligation
1. I must / have to / am supposed to / need to turn in the grades to the
coordinator two days after the final test at the most.

2. Formal businesses must / has to / is supposed to / needs to give

invoices to customers when they make a payment.

Speaking goal 2: Express necessity

1. I must / have to / am supposed to / need to brush my teeth every day.

Speaking goal 3: personal obligation

2. My sister must / has to / is supposed to / needs to pick me up from

home tomorrow morning. She said she would do it.

DON’T HAVE TO / DOESN’T HAVE TO

Speaking goal: Express absence of obligation or necessity.

1. You don’t have to take a computing course to use the Internet. You can
do it empirically.
2. Keith doesn’t have to do extra hours at work. That’s optional.
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Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.

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 MODALS & SEMI-MODALS (E I C: C 2 – UNIT 10: LESSON 1)

SHOULD / OUGHT TO
Speaking goal: Give advice, recommendations, suggestions or say that
something is a good idea to do.

1. Jane should / ought to study more. She usually has low passing grades.

2. I should / ought to save money for the future.

CAN

Speaking goal 1: Ask for permission in informal situations

1. A: Mom, can I turn on the TV?

B: No. Eat your soup first.

Speaking goal 2: Say that something is possible to be done (possibility)

1. A: I would like to stay longer at the party, Jacob. However, there won’t be
any taxis later. I have to go now.
B: I can drive you home later. No worries.

Speaking goal 3: Say that something is 0% possible to be true in the present

based on a fact. (Deductions)
EXAMPLE 1:
FACT: There’s car parked outside Jillian’s house, but she doesn’t know how to
drive.
CONCLUSION: It can’t be Jillian’s car.

Copyright © 2022 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.

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 MODALS & SEMI-MODALS (E I C: C 2 – UNIT 10: LESSON 1)

MAY / MIGHT
Speaking goal 1: Express 50% of possibility that something is true in the
present based on a fact.
EXAMPLE 1:
FACT: Jake isn’t at work today.
CONCLUSION: He may / might be sick.
Speaking goal 2: express 50 % of possibility in the future.
1. A: what are you going to do tomorrow, Jason?
B: I don’t know yet. I may / might stay home or I may / might visit my
girlfriend.
MIGHT / MAY AS WELL
Speaking goal: Say that something is that most logical thing to do.
1. A: I don’t know what to do. I broke my mom’s favorite vase, and I don’t
have money to buy another one and replace it. Can you lend me
money?
B: I’m sorry, dude. I’m broke, but you might / may as well tell her the
truth.
WON’T:
Speaking goal: Express unwillingness (say someone doesn’t want to do
something)
1. I don’t know what to do with my kids. They won’t eat vegetables.

Copyright © 2022 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.

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 MODALS & SEMI-MODALS (E I C: C 2 – UNIT 10: LESSON 1)

WILL
Speaking goal: Express offers and predictions based on knowledge or
experience
1. A: I’ll carry those bags for you, Mrs. Newman.
B: Thanks, sweetheart. You’re so sweet.

2. They’ve hired a band to play live at the party. Let’s go, Jim. We’ll have
a lot of fun.
BE BOUND TO / BE LIKELY TO:
Speaking goal: Express future probability (70%)
1. James is bound to / is likely to pass the test. I mean, he normally
passes them. What can be different this time? I don’t think things have
changed much since last year.

Copyright © 2022 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.