MODAL VERBS

 Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs with a great

variety of communicative functions.

Example – will, ’ll; will not, won’t:

That bag looks heavy. I’ll help you with that.

Let’s take a look at some of the meanings of some

modal verbs.
MODAL VERBS – will/won´t

Look at the sentence:

1. I will be here tomorrow at seven!

2. Will you drive if we go on holiday?

Will/won’t can be used to make promises (1) or to

make requests (2).
MODAL VERBS – must/mustn’t

Look at the sentence:

He must be Laura’s brother! He really looks

a lot like her!

Must/musn’t is used to make logical deductions.

MODAL VERBS – could/couldn’t

Look at the sentence:

I tried, but I couldn’t find Lucy.
(It is similar to: …I wasn’t able to find…)

Could/couldn’t is used to talk about

possibility/impossibility.
MODAL VERBS – need to/ needn’t

Look at the sentence:

You don’t need to/needn’t finish the report today.
You can do it tomorrow. (It is similar to: You don’t have to finish…)

Need to/needn’t is used to talk about

necessity or lack of necessity.
MODAL VERBS – Shall

Look at the sentence:

It’s hot in here. Shall I open the window?

Shall can be used to express an offer.

MODAL VERBS – Might

Look at the sentence:

They might be here in time, but the roads are blocked due to the marathon.

We use might to express a remote probability.

MODAL VERBS – would/wouldn’t

Look at the sentence:

When Lucy was a child she would play

the piano every night!

Would can be used to refer to a past habit.

It is also the past form of will and used in
polite requests.
MODAL VERBS – should/shouldn’t

Look at the sentence:

1. They should be prepared to face a

tremendous storm!
2. You should respect your parents!

Should can be used in a sentence to express

advice (1) or an moral duty (2).
MODAL VERBS – ought/oughtn’t

Look at the sentence and note that ought is the only modal verb that
is followed by a to infinitive:
She ought to finish the project today! It’s the last day and the teacher
may not give her extra time! (It is similar to: She should finish…)

Ought to/oughtn’t to can be used to express

moral duty.
MODAL VERBS – some extra meanings. Summary 1.

Modal Meaning Example

Verb
Will Promise We will talk to Jane about your problem.
Would Past habit When I was a teenager, I would run five miles in 15m!
Could Past possibility They could buy a new house; they are very rich!
Must Logical deduction Susan must be a millionaire! She has three or four cars!
MODAL VERBS – some extra meanings.
Summary 2.

Modal Verb Meaning Example

Ought to Moral duty Jane ought to visit her grandmother every weekend
because she lives alone.
Shall Request/ offer Shall we go to the cinema tomorrow night?
Should Advice You should take an umbrella. I think it’s going to rain.
Need to Necessity I need to finish this chapter today! The test is
tomorrow!
Might Remote probability I might be home late; I have to finish a report.
MODAL VERBS – PRACTICE
Complete the sentences using the correct modal verb from the box:
should (n’t) must (n’t) shall will (won’t)

must be tired! He’s just run the marathon!

1. That man _______
shouldn’t smoke because it’s bad for your health!
2. You _________
will call you later this afternoon and let you know my
3. I _______
decision.

4. _______
Shall we have dinner next Friday?