Universidad Tecnolgica Equinoccial English Level Six
1
Unit 1
MODAL VERBS
Characteristics:
1. Infinitive NO USE (TO)
2. Conjugations NO USE
3. Gerunds NO USE (ING)
4. Simple form verbs after modals
5. We cannot use 2 modal in the same sentences
6. NO Auxiliaries with modal
CAN
"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.
Examples:
I can ride a horse. ABILITY
We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. OPPORTUNITY
She cannot stay out after 10 PM. PERMISSION
Can you hand me the stapler? REQUEST
Any child can grow up to be president. POSSIBILITY
Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to
learn how "can" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
Future
You can also use:
can
GENERAL ABILITY
1. I can speak Chinese.
2. SHIFT TO "COULD"
I could speak Chinese when
1. I can't speak Swahili.
2. SHIFT TO "COULD"
be able to
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I was a kid.
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
I will be able to speak
Chinese by the time I finish
my course.
I couldn't speak Swahili.
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
I won't be able to speak
Swahili.
can
ABILITY DURING A
SPECIFIC EVENT
1. With a burst of
adrenaline, people can pick
up cars.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
With a sudden burst of
adrenaline, he was able to
lift the car off the child's
leg.
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
With a sudden burst of
adrenaline, he will be able
to lift the car.
1. Even with a burst of
adrenaline, people can't
pick up something that
heavy.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
Even the weight lifter,
couldn't lift the car off the
child's leg.
3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
Even three men working
together won't be able to
lift the car.
be able to
can
OPPORTUNITY
1. I have some free time. I
can help her now.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
I had some free time
yesterday. I was able to
help her at that time.
3. I'll have some free time
tomorrow. I can help her
then.
1. I don't have any time. I
can't help her now.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO"
I didn't have time
yesterday. I wasn't able to
help her at that time.
3. I won't have any time
later. I can't help her then.
be able to
can
PERMISSION
1. I can drive Susan's car
when she is out of town.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED
TO "
I was allowed to drive
Susan's car while she was
out of town last week.
3. I can drive Susan's car
while she is out of town
next week.
1. I can't drive Susan's car
when she is out of town.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED
TO "
I wasn't allowed to drive
Susan's car while she was
out of town last week.
3. I can't drive Susan's car
while she is out of town
next week.
may
Universidad Tecnolgica Equinoccial English Level Six
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can
REQUEST
Can I have a glass of water?
Can you give me a lift to
school?
REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO
THE NEAR FUTURE.
Can't I have a glass of
water?
Can't you give me a lift to
school?
REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO
THE NEAR FUTURE.
could, may
can
POSSIBILITY,
IMPOSSIBILITY
Anyone can become rich
and famous if they know
the right people.
Learning a language can be
a real challenge.
THIS USE IS USUALLY A
GENERALIZATION OR A
SUPPOSITION.
It can't cost more than a
dollar or two.
You can't be 45! I thought
you were about 18 years
old.
THIS USE IS USUALLY A
GENERALIZATION OR A
SUPPOSITION.
could
COULD
"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests.
"Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."
Examples:
Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. POSSIBILITY
Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. PAST ABILITY
You could see a movie or go out to dinner. SUGGESTION
Could I use your computer to email my boss? REQUEST
We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. CONDITIONAL
Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to
learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can
also use:
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could
POSSIBILITY
1. John could be the one who
stole the money.
2. John could have been the one
who stole the money.
3. John could go to jail for
stealing the money.
1. Mary couldn't be the one who
stole the money.
2. Mary couldn't have been the
one who stole the money.
3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail
for the crime.
might,
may
could
CONDITIONAL
OF CAN
1. If I had more time, I could
travel around the world.
2. If I had had more time, I could
have traveled around the world.
3. If I had more time this winter,
I could travel around the world.
1. Even if I had more time, I
couldn't travel around the world.
2. Even if I had had more time, I
couldn't have traveled around the
world.
3. Even if I had more time this
winter, I couldn't travel around
the world.
could
SUGGESTION
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. You could have spent your
vacation in Hawaii.
3. You could spend your
vacation in Hawaii.
NO NEGATIVE FORMS
could
PAST ABILITY
I could run ten miles in my
twenties.
I could speak Chinese when I
was a kid.
"COULD" CANNOT BE USED IN
POSITIVE SENTENCES IN WHICH YOU
DESCRIBE A MOMENTARY OR ONE-
TIME ABILITY.
Yesterday, I could lift the couch
by myself. Not Correct
I couldn't run more than a mile in
my twenties.
I couldn't speak Swahili.
"COULD" CAN BE USED IN NEGATIVE
SENTENCES IN WHICH YOU DESCRIBE A
MOMENTARY OR ONE-TIME ABILITY.
Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch
by myself. Correct
be able
to
could
POLITE
REQUEST
Could I have something to
drink?
Couldn't he come with us?
Couldn't you help me with this for
can,
may,
might
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Could I borrow your stapler?
REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO THE
NEAR FUTURE.
just a second?
REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO THE NEAR
FUTURE.
REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not"
"Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. "Might not" suggests you do
not know if something happens.
Examples:
Jack might not have the key. MAYBE HE DOES NOT HAVE THE KEY.
Jack could not have the key. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT HE HAS THE KEY.
MUST
"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; speakers prefer to use softer
modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to dissuade rather than prohibit.
Examples:
This must be the right address! CERTAINTY
Students must pass an entrance examination to study at this school. NECESSITY
You must take some medicine for that cough. STRONG RECOMMENDATION
Jenny, you must not play in the street! PROHIBITION
Using "Must" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to
learn how "must" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
Future
You can
also use:
must
CERTAINTY
1. That must be Jerry. They
said he was tall with bright
red hair.
1. That must not be Jerry. He is
supposed to have red hair.
2. That must not have been the
have to
Universidad Tecnolgica Equinoccial English Level Six
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2. That must have been the
right restaurant. There are
no other restaurants on this
street.
3. NO FUTURE FORM
right restaurant. I guess there is
another one around here
somewhere.
3. NO FUTURE FORM
must not
PROHIBITION
You must not swim in that river.
It's full of crocodiles.
You must not forget to take your
malaria medication while your
are in the tropics.
PROHIBITION USUALLY REFER TO THE
NEAR FUTURE.
must
STRONG
RECOMMENDATION
(Americans
prefer
the form
"should.")
1. You must take some time
off and get some rest.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
You should have taken some
time off last week to get
some rest.
3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
You should take some time
off next week to get some
rest.
1. You mustn't drink so much. It's
not good for your health.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
You shouldn't have drunk so
much. That caused the accident.
3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
You shouldn't drink at the party.
You are going to be the
designated driver.
should
must
NECESSITY
(Americans
prefer
the form
"have to.")
1. You must have a permit to
enter the national park.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
We had to have a permit to
enter the park.
3. We must get a permit to
enter the park next week.
1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
We don't have to get a permit to
enter the national park.
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
We didn't have to get a permit to
enter the national park.
3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
We won't have to get a permit to
enter the national park.
have to
REMEMBER: "Must not" vs. "Do not have to"
"Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something. "Do not have to" suggests that
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someone is not required to do something.
Examples:
You must not eat that. IT IS FORBIDDEN, IT IS NOT ALLOWED.
You don't have to eat that. YOU CAN IF YOU WANT TO, BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARY.
MIGHT
"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used
in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests,
although this is less common in American English.
Examples:
Your purse might be in the living room. POSSIBILITY
If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. CONDITIONAL
You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. SUGGESTION
Might I borrow your pen? REQUEST
Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to
learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
Future
You can
also use:
might
POSSIBILITY
1. She might be on the bus. I think
her car is having problems.
2. She might have taken the bus.
I'm not sure how she got to work.
3. She might take the bus to get
home. I don't think Bill will be able
to give her a ride.
1. She might not be on the
bus. She might be walking
home.
2. She might not have taken
the bus. She might have
walked home.
3. She might not take the
bus. She might get a ride
from Bill.
could,
may
might
CONDITIONAL
1. If I entered the contest, I might
actually win.
1. Even if I entered the
contest, I might not win.
Universidad Tecnolgica Equinoccial English Level Six
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OF MAY
2. If I had entered the contest, I
might actually have won.
3. If I entered the contest
tomorrow, I might actually win.
Unfortunately, I can't enter it.
2. Even if I had entered the
contest, I might not have
won.
3. Even if I entered the
contest tomorrow, I might
not win.
might
SUGGESTION
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. You might have tried the cheese
cake.
3. You might try the cheesecake.
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. PAST FORM UNCOMMON
3. You might not want to eat
the cheese cake. It's very
calorific.
could
might
REQUEST
m(British
form)
Might I have something to drink?
Might I borrow the stapler?
REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO THE NEAR
FUTURE.
NEGATIVE FORMS
UNCOMMON
could,
may,
can
REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not"
"Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is
impossible for something to happen.
Examples:
Jack might not have the key. MAYBE HE DOES NOT HAVE THE KEY.
Jack could not have the key. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT HE HAS THE KEY.
MAY
"May" is most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request
permission, although this usage is becoming less common.
Examples:
Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work. POSSIBILITY
Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner. GIVE PERMISSION
May I use your bathroom? REQUEST PERMISSION
Universidad Tecnolgica Equinoccial English Level Six
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Using "May" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to
learn how "may" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You
can
also
use:
may
POSSIBILITY
1. Jack may be upset. I can't
really tell if he is annoyed or
tired.
2. Jack may have been upset. I
couldn't really tell if he was
annoyed or tired.
3. Jack may get upset if you don't
tell him the truth.
1. Jack may not be upset. Perhaps
he is tired.
2. Jack may not have been upset.
Perhaps he was tired.
3. Jack may not get upset, even if
you tell him the truth
might
may
GIVE
PERMISSION
1. You may leave the table now
that you're finished with your
dinner.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO"
You were allowed to leave the
table after you finished your
dinner.
3. You may leave the table when
you finish your dinner.
1. You may not leave the table.
You're not finished with your
dinner yet.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO"
You were not allowed to leave the
table because you hadn't finished
your dinner.
3. You may not leave the table
until you are finished with your
dinner.
can
may
REQUEST
PERMISSION
May I borrow your eraser?
May I make a phone call?
REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO THE NEAR
FUTURE.
NO NEGATIVE FORMS can,
might
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SHOULD
"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to
express obligation as well as expectation.
Examples:
When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam. RECOMMENDATION
You should focus more on your family and less on work. ADVICE
I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. OBLIGATION
By now, they should already be in Dubai. EXPECTATION
Using "Should" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to
learn how "should" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. =
Past 3. = Future
You can
also use:
should
RECOMMENDATION,
ADVISABILITY
1. People with high cholesterol
should eat low-fat foods.
2. Frank should have eaten low-fat
foods. That might have prevented
his heart attack.
3. You really should start eating
better.
1. Sarah shouldn't
smoke so much. It's
not good for her
health.
2. Sarah shouldn't have
smoked so much.
That's what caused her
health problems.
3. Sarah shouldn't
smoke when she visits
Martha next week.
Martha hates when
people smoke in her
house.
ought to
should
OBLIGATION
I should be at work before 9:00.
We should return the video before
the video rental store closes.
NO NEGATIVE FORMS be
supposed
to
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"SHOULD" CAN ALSO EXPRESS SOMETHING
BETWEEN RECOMMENDATION AND
OBLIGATION. "BE SUPPOSED TO"
EXPRESSES A SIMILAR IDEA AND CAN EASILY
BE USED IN THE PAST OR IN NEGATIVE
FORMS.
should
EXPECTATION
1. Susan should be in New York by
now.
2. Susan should have arrived in
New York last week. Let's call her
and see what she is up to.
3. Susan should be in New York by
next week. Her new job starts on
Monday.
1. Susan shouldn't be
in New York yet.
2. Susan shouldn't have
arrived in New York
until yesterday.
3. Susan shouldn't
arrive in New York until
next week.
ought to,
be
supposed
to
WOULD
"Would" is most commonly used to create conditional verb forms. It also serves as the past form
of the modal verb "will." Additionally, "would" can indicate repetition in the past. For more
information on the grammar behind the modal verb "would," visit the following
tutorials: Conditional Tutorial, Future in the Past, and Would Always.
Examples:
If he were an actor, he would be in adventure movies. CONDITIONAL
I knew that she would be very successful in her career. PAST OF "WILL"
When they first met, they would always have picnics on the beach. REPETITION
Using "Would" in Present, Past, and Future
Modal Use Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. =
Future
You
can
also
use:
would
CONDITIONAL
1. If I were president, I would cut
the cost of education.
2. If I had been president, I would
1. If I were president, I would
not raise taxes.
2. If I had been president, I
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have cut the cost of education.
3. If I were elected president next
year, I would cut the cost of
education.
would not have raised taxes.
3. If I were president, I would
not sign the tax increase next
week.
would
PAST OF "WILL"
I said I would help you.
He told me he would be here
before 8:00.
I said I wouldn't help you.
He told me he would not be
here before 8:00.
would
REPETITION IN
PAST
When I was a kid, I would always go
to the beach.
When he was young, he would
always do his homework.
When I was a kid, I wouldn't go
into the water by myself.
When he got older, he would
never do his homework.
used
to
SUMMARY UNIT 1
MODAL WHEN USE CAN ALSO USE
CAN Ability
Permission (Informal)
BE ABLE TO
MAY Permission (Formal)
Possibility
HAVE TO
MIGHT Probability PROBABILITY THAT
MUST Obligations
Necessity
Inference / Conclusion
CONCLUDED THAT
SHOULD Advise
Moral Obligation
OUGHT TO
WILL FUTURE BE GOING TO
WOULD Offer / Request
Conditional Sentence
COULD Past Ability
Polite Request
