What can you do?
Sandra J. Carpio Romero
scarpio@[Link]
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By the end of the lesson the
students will be able to:
Identify the use of modal verbs»
Use the modal verbs to talk about
rules, obligations, advice and
permisions given in their society.
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Obligation
Possibility
Give instructions
Permission
Possibility
Ability
Prohibition (-)
Lack of ability (-)
Advice
Rule (+)
Prohibition (-)
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• to say what someone is obliged to do. The
Have to speaker is not giving his/her own opinion:
• You don't have to do something = you don't need to
Don’t have to do it (but you can if you want
Doesn’ t have to
1. Maria has to work from 8: 00 to 3:30 every day.
2. I have to wear glasses for reading.
3. You don’t have to work on saturdays.
4. She doesn’t have to be at the meeting.
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Must • It is used in written rules and instructions
• You mustn't do something = it is necessary
that you do not do it (so don't do it ):
Mustn´t
1. It’s later than I thought I must go.
1. You must write your asnwers with blue pen.
2. She must keep this a secret. She mustn’t tell
anyone.
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• We use can to say that something is possible or allowed,
or that somebody has the ability to do something.
Can
• We use can+ infinitive
Can
• You can use can't to say that you believe something is not
Can´t possible
• Maria can speak four languages.
• You can go to the party.
• We can´t park here, it isn’t allowed.
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Important facts:
• There is sometimes a difference between must and have to.
With must the speaker is expressing personal feelings, saying
what he or she thinks is necessary:
1. I must write to Ann. I haven't written to her for ages. ( =
The speaker personally feels that he or she must write to
Ann.)
2. The government really must do something about
unemployment. (= The speaker personally feels that the
government must do something.)
• With have to the speaker is not expressing feelings. The
speaker is just giving facts. For example:
1. Karen's eyes are not very good. She has to wear glasses for
reading.
2. I can't meet you on Friday. I have to work.
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May
Express Possibility
Give permission
May is more formal than Can
1. It may not rain tomorrow.
2. A: Why isn´t John in class?
B: I dont know. He may be sick today.
3. Ok children you may have a cookie after dinner.
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Should/shouldn´t
Express Advice
[Link] should take an aspirin.
2. Mary shouldn’t stay up late.
3. I have stomachache. What should I do?
4. I’m tired today. Maybe you should go home and
take a nap.
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Add to where necessary, if no to is necessary , write x
1. I have __ go downtown tomorrow.
2. Tom must __ see his dentist.
3. Can you please ___open the window?
4. May I ___ borrow your pen?
5. A good book can ___ be a friend for life.
6. Jimmy is yawning and rubbing his eyes. He must ___ be
sleep.
7. Shouldn´t you __ save a little money for arainy day?
8. He has ___go to the hospital for an operation.
9. Alex! Stop! You must not __run into the street when
there´s traffic.
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Complete the sentences with can and can’t
1. A cat ____ climb trees, but it ____ fly.
2. A fish _____ walk , but it _____swim.
3. A dog ____ bark, but it ____ sing.
4. A tiny baby ______ cry, but it ______ talk.
5. You ____ store water in a glass jar, but you ______
store it in a paper bag.
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Give advice using should or shouldn’t. include maybe to soften
the advice if you wish.
1. A: I’m sleepy.
B: You should drink a cup of tea.
1. A: I’m hungry. B:
2. A: I’m cold. B:
3. A: I have a toothache. B:
4. A: I have the hiccups. B:
5. A: I’m hot. B:
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Complete the sentences with don’t /doesn’t have to or must
not
1. You _____ drive when you are tired. It’s dangerous.
2. I live only a few blocks from my office . I _____ drive to work.
3. Liz finally got a car, so now she usually drives to work. She
________ take the bus.
4. Tommy, you ________ say that word. It’s not a nice word.
5. You _______ tell Jim about the surprise birthday party. Do
you promise? I promise.
6. Accoding to the rules of the game, one player _____ hit or
trip another player.
7. A: Do you have a stamp?
B: Uh huh here
A: Thanks . Now I _______ go to the post office to buy
stamps.
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Answer these questions using: May /May not
1. What are you going to do tomorrow night?
2. What’s the weather going to be like tomorrow?
3. I’m taking something out of my wallet. It’s small,
and I’m holding it with my fist. What’s it?
4. Look at the picture. What’s the man’s occupation?
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Don’t
Have to /
Doesn’t
have to
Can´t May not
Negative
form
Mustn’t Shouldn’t
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Do…. Have
to….. ? /
Does …
have to…?
Can + sub May +subj
+ verb …? + verb..?
Interroga
tive form
Must + Should +
sub + subj +
verb..? verb ?
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scarpio@[Link]
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