Unit 6

MODAL VERBS

Prof. Ana María Mellides

Contents

1. Expressing probability and permission

2. Expressing obligation
3. Expressing advice
Main modal verbs

can could may might will

would must shall should ought to

 MODAL VERBS
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs.
Main characteristics:
 They don't use an 's' for the third person singular.
 They make questions by inversion ('she can go' becomes 'can she
go?'). They do not need an auxiliary verb.
 As other auxiliary verbs, they can make questions and negations.
 They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb
(without 'to').
 They don’t have forms of future, present perfect, past perfect,….

 They don’t have –ing form.

1. Expressing probability and permission
The most habitual verbs used in this sense are can, could,
may, might.
Can
 Something is possible or somebody has the ability to do
something.
 We use can + infinitive
We can see the lake from our bedroom window
Can you speak any foreign languages?
I can come and see you tomorrow if you like
 be able to
(Be) able to is possible instead of can.
Can has only two forms: present (can) past and could (past) 
be able to
I can’t sleep
but
I haven’t been able to sleep recently (can has no present
perfect)
Could: to say that somebody had the general ability to do
something.
I could pass the exam because I have studied a lot
My grandfather could speak five languages
We were completely free. We could do what we wanted
may and might
We use may and might to express a possibility but might is
a weak expression of probability.
It may be true or It might be true (=perhaps it is true)
She might know or She may know
Negative forms: may not and might not (or mightn’t)
It might not be true (=perhaps it isn’t true)
I’m not sure whether I can lend you any money. I may not
have enough (=perhaps I don’t have enough)
can’t
Negative form of can. We use it when something is
impossible to happen.
I can´t go with you to the cinema tomorrow.
Some modal verbs are also used to express PERMISSION:
Can
Could I attend to the meeting with you?
May

The difference in this case lies on the register, which means,

if the sentence is more formal or less formal.
2. Expressing obligation

Must and have to: to say that it is necessary to do

something.
must
Must is personal. We use must when we give
our personal feelings and with norms.
‘You must do something’ = ‘I (the speaker)
say it is necessary’:
She’s a really nice person. You must meet
her. (= I say this is necessary)
I haven’t phoned Ann for ages. I must
phone her tonight.
Compare
I must get up early tomorrow. There are a lot
of things I want to do.
Employees must not smoke in the building (=
it is forbidden)
have to
Have to is impersonal. We use have to for
facts, not for our personal feelings.
‘You have to do something’ because of the
situation’:
You can’t turn right here. You have to turn
left. (because of the traffic system)
My eyesight isn’t very good. I have to wear
glasses for reading.
I have to get up early tomorrow. I’m going
away and my train leaves at 7.30.
You don’t have to book ahead in low season.
(= it is not necessary)
have to
It is not a modal verb. It expresses weaker obligation than
must.
I have to stop smoking (it means that my obligation is not
as strong as must)
mustn’t and don’t have to
Mustn’t and don’t have to are different:

You mustn’t do something = it is
necessary that you do not do it
(so, don’t do it)
You must keep it a secret. You
mustn’t tell anyone. (= don’t tell
anyone)
You don’t have to do something
= you don’t need to do it (but
you can if you want)
You can tell me if you want but
you don’t have to tell me. (=
you don’t need to tell me)
3. Expressing suggestions or advice
should and ought to
Should: to give advice or opinions.
You look tired. You should go to bed
You should take the 9.00 train if you want to arrive on
time
Use of should with I think / I don’t think / Do you think…?
I think the government should do more to help homeless
people
I don’t think you should smoke so much
‘Do you think I should apply for this job?’ ‘Yes, I think
you should.’
Should is not as strong as must:

You should apologise. (= it would be a good thing to do)

You must apologise. (= you have no alternative)

Should: to say that we expect something to happen:

She’s been studying hard for the exam, so she should pass.
(= I expect her to pass)

Should: when something is not what we expect:

I wonder where Liz is. She should be here by now. (= she
isn’t here yet, and this is not normal)
ought to
You can use ought to instead of should.

Do you think I ought to apply for this job? (= Do you

think I should apply ….?)

You ought to / should tell me the truth if you want me to

help you.
shall
It is used mostly in the questions shall I…? / Shall
we…?

 We use shall to ask somebody’s opinion (offers /

suggestions)
Shall I open the window?
I’ve got no money. What shall I do?
‘Shall we go?’ ‘Just a minute. I’m not ready yet.’
Where shall we go this evening?
Let’s practice
Must / have to (in the correct form)
1. It’s later than I thought. I __________ to go now.
2. Jack left before the end of the meeting. He _______ go home early.
3. In Britain many children ________ wear uniform when they go to
school.
4. When you come to London again, you __________come and see us.
5. Last night Don became ill suddenly. We ________ call a doctor.
6. You really _________ work harder if you want to pass the
examination.
7. When you are driving you _______ stop when you see a sign that
says that.
What do these modal verbs express?

You shouldn’t use first names

If you don’t feel well, you should go to the doctor

We ought to buy our tickets today

What do these modal verbs express?

The system can be frustrating

It may take a year to get results

This product could be very successful

I might be able to come with you but I’m not sure

What do these modal verbs express?

You can smoke here

Could I use your phone?

May I smoke?
What do these modal verbs express?

Can you speak Portuguese?

I couldn’t see because of the fog

What do these modal verbs express?

Shall I get you a coffee?

Would you like some more wine?