MODAL VERBS

Structure:
● Modal verbs + infinitive ● Marginal modal verb+to+info
○ I must work ○ I have to work
○ We mustn’t speak in class ○ She needs to work harder
○ Must students wear a ○ Does he need to come earlier?
uniform?

Modal + modal?¿?
● Be able → is/are/am able to → Was/were able to → BEEN ABLE TO
→ CAN → COULD → BEEN ABLE TO

Meanings Polite request (“you”)

● They complete the meanings
○ I drink
○ I oughtn’t to drink
● WOULD YOU pass me the salt please
● WILL YOU shut up, please?
● COULD YOU answer the phone,
please?
● CAN YOU wait here, please?

Would you mine…

● Would you mind if I smoke? Obligation
○ No, go ahead ● Have to
○ Yes, sorry ○ You have to work harder if
● Do you mind if I open the window? you want to pass the exams
● Shall I open the window? ● Must
○ Sure ○ A good teacher must be strict
○ No, please and intimidating
● Would you mind closing the window?

Lack of necessity/prohibition ● There is no need for me to do any

● I know all this grammar! I don’t need
to pay attention
● I needn’t worry about my grades
● m incredibly talented and I don’t have
to study
homework
Give advice
● You should stop smoking
● You ought to stop smoking
● You’d better stop smoking

And pass actions?

● Modal + present perfect Certainty
○ You should have quitted ● How sure are you?
smoking when I told you to ○ She is 55
○ She must be 35
○ She may be60
 ○ She might be 25 ○ She could be younger
Certainty in the past
● Why didn’t Mary come to school?
○ Because…
■ She was sick
■ She must have been sick
■ She may have been sick
■ She might have been sick

Degrees of certainty: Future time ● Less than 50% sure → Kay

● 100% sure → Kay will do well on the
test
● 90% sure → Kay should/ought to do
well on the test
may/might/Could do well on the
test
● The speaker is sure
● The speaker is almost sure
● The speaker is guessing

Modal and continuous

● He may be sleeping
● He might have been
partying

Would rather…
● Would you like to
come to the cinema
with me?
● I’d rather stay at
home. I’m so tired!

Would
● When I was a child,
my mother would
read me a story at
night before
bedtime
● Would you like
something to drink?