MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS
O Modal verbs are special verbs.
O Modal verbs go before a normal

verb.
O Each modal verb expresses
something different.
O The verb after the modal must be in
base form.

CAN (Past form : could)

O "Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in

English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity,

to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or
impossibility.
O Examples:
-Icanride a horse.ability
-Wecanstay with my brother when we are in
Paris.opportunity
-Shecannotstay out after 10 PM.permission
-Canyou hand me the stapler?request
-Any childcangrow up to be president.possibility
O NEGATIVE FORM: CANT / COULDNT
O INTERROGATIVE FORM: Can you open the window?

Be allowed to
O It expresses ability or permission.
O Examples:

-Affirmative form: I am allowed to smoke at

home.
-Negative form: You are not allowed to
smoke in the university.
-Interrogative form: Are you allowed to
chew gum in class?
PAST FORMS: WAS ALLOWED / WERE
ALLOWED

Have to / has to
O "Have to" is used to express certainty, necessity, and

obligation.
Examples:
O This answerhas tobe correct.certainty
O The souphas tobe stirred continuously to prevent
burning.necessity
O Theyhave toleave early.obligation
*PAST FORM: had to
*DIFFERENT FORMS IN AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES:
I / you / we / they : have to
He / she / it : has to
*QUESTIONS:
-Wh word + do / does / did + sub + have to + VBF.
-do / does / did + sub + have to + VBF.

MUST
O "Must" is most commonly used to express certainty. It

can also be used to express necessity or strong

recommendation, although native speakers prefer the
more flexible form "have to." "Must not" can be used to
prohibit actions, but this sounds very severe.
O Examples:
-Thismustbe the right address!certainty
-Studentsmustpass an entrance examination to study
at this school.necessity
-Youmusttake some medicine for that cough.strong
recommendation
-Jenny, youmustnot play in the street!Prohibition
*NEGATIVE FORM: mustnt

Dont have to / doesnt have to

You use dont have to or doesnt have to when
something is possible to do but not necessary.
Examples:
-ECI male teachers dont have to wear ties.
-She doesnt have to work because shes
millionaire.
*PAST FORM: didnt have to
*DIFFERENT FORMS:
I / you / we / they : dont have to
He / she / it : doesnt have to
*QUESTIONS:
-Wh word + DO DOES -DID / SUB / HAVE TO / VBF?
- DO DOES -DID / SUB / HAVE TO / VBF?

SHOULD
O "Should" is most commonly used to make

recommendations or give advice.

Examples:
O When you go to Berlin, youshouldvisit the palaces in
Potsdam.recommendation
O Youshouldfocus more on your family and less on
work.advice
O I reallyshouldbe in the office by 7:00 AM.obligation
O By now, theyshouldalready be in Dubai.Expectation
*NEGATIVE FORM: shouldnt
*Should is commonly used after I think or I dont think
Example: I think you should go to the party.
I dont think you should go there.
*QUESTIONS: should + subject + VBF + ?

FORMS
AFFIRMATIVE
Subject + modal + base form of the verb
Ex: I should go to the doctor.
INTERROGATIVE
Ex: Should I go to the doctor?
Modal verb + subject + verb
Except:
Do I have to wear a tie?
Why do I have to wear a tie?