Modal Verbs

Lets do this!

Can

May

Should

Shall
Could
Must
Would

Will

Ought to
Might

How do we use modals?

modal

Example: Mary can play the piano.

They are auxiliary verbs, providing an additional and

specific meaning to the main verb of the sentence.

I swim everyday.

This is what I usually do

daily. It is a part of my
routine.

Modal verbs are sometimes referred to as

Modal Auxiliary Verbs because they help
other verbs.

I can swim everyday.

I am physically able to
swim daily. I also have the
time to do it. I am so fit!!

As they already are auxiliary verbs, they do not

need the help of another auxiliary to make the
negative or interrogative form.

I dont can swim everyday.

I cant swim everyday.

Do you can swim everyday?

Can you swim everyday?

Modal verbs are followed by the short

infinitive form (without to).

She must study.

She must to study.

We should really start studying!

We should really to start studying!

Modal verbs have only one form. They dont have an

infinitive form or don't add "-ing", "-ed" or "-s" to
them.

to can

musted

caning

musts

Modal verbs do not have all the tenses. They use

other verbs or verbal constructions for
replacement.

I can swim everyday.

I was able to swim everyday
when I was younger.
can = to be able to

CAN / BE ABLE TO
John can speak English
very well. He could speak
English when he was
fourteen. He was able to
read English books when
he was fifteen. He cant
speak Spanish very well
yet, but he will be able to
do so if he studies harder.
PRESENT

PAST

FUTURE

I can do it.

I could do it then.

I can do it tomorrow.

I am able to do it.

I was able to do it.

I will be able to do it
tomorrow.

MAY/ TO BE ALLOWED TO
TO BE PERMITED TO
Ken is quite happy as his mother
has just told him that he may go
to the concert with his friends.
Last week he was not allowed
to have extra activities because
he was having problems with his
grades at school. As he is doing
better now, he will be permitted
to go out with his friends more
often.
PRESENT

PAST

FUTURE

He may do it.

He may do it next week.

He is allowed/permitted
to do it.

He was
allowed/permitted to do
it.

He will be
allowed/permitted to do
it.

MUST/ HAVE TO
Were spending our summer
holiday in the countryside, at
our grandparents. Theres a lot
of work to be done so we must
wake up really early and have to
help them. Yesterday we had to
feed the cows and we will have
to do it again this afternoon.

PRESENT

PAST

FUTURE

We must do it.

We must do it next year.

He have to do it.

We had to do it.

We will have to do it.

Modal verbs can have more than one meaning

depending on the situations.
To understand it better we are going to divide them into
3 categories

1. Single Concept Modal: they have one meaning

2. Double Concept Modal: they have two
meanings
3. Modals in past: They are used to express a
situation in the past

Categories
Single concept
Modals

Double Concept
Modals

Modals in Past

Will
Might
Should
Ought to
Had better

May
Must
Would
Shall
Could
Can

Would have
Could have
Might have
Should have
May have
Must have

Single Concept Modal

Modal
Will

Concept
Future

Examples
Mandy will travel to Paris next week.

Single Concept Modal

Modal
Might

Concept
Small probability

Examples
I might move to another country
some day. I havent decided yet.

Single Concept Modal

Modal
Should

Concept
Recommendation

Examples
You should go to the doctor. Your
cough is getting worse.

Single Concept Modal

Modal
Ought to

Concept
Formal
recommendation

Examples
We ought to know about your career
choices.

Single Concept Modal

Modal
Had better

Concept
Warning

Examples
Your brother had better study or he
will fail this test.

Double Concept Modal

Modal
May (1)

Concept
Permission

Examples
May I come in?

Double Concept Modal

Modal
May (2)

Concept
Good probability

Examples
We may visit England this summer.

Double Concept Modal

Modal
Must (1)

Concept
Responsibility

Examples
Everyone must pay taxes. Even you!

Double Concept Modal

Modal
Must (2)

Concept
Assumption

Examples
She hasnt arrived. She must be sick.

Double Concept Modal

Modal
Would (1)

Concept
Past (used to)

Examples
When I was young, I would play
soccer all day long with my friends.

Double Concept Modal

Modal
Would (2)

Concept
Present wish

Examples
I would buy this house, but I cant
afford it.

Double Concept Modal

Modal
Shall (1)

Concept
Educated expression

Examples
Excuse me, I shall leave you now.

Double Concept Modal

Modal
Shall (1)

Concept
Offer

Examples
Shall I serve you dinner?

Double Concept Modal

Modal
Shall (2)

Concept
Contractual obligation

Examples
The company shall pay on March the
1st.

Double Concept Modal

Modal
Could (1)

Concept
Unreal Ability

Examples
I could go to that film with my
friends, if I had the time.

Double Concept Modal

Modal
Could (2)

Concept
Past Ability

Examples
She could play the violin when he
was a child, but not anymore.

Double Concept Modal

Modal
Can (1)

Concept
Present Ability

Examples
She can use the sign language.

Double Concept Modal

Modal
Can (2)

Concept
Permission

Examples
Can I have a piece of cake?

Modals in the Past

They are modals referred to actions that
happened in the past:
MODAL

HAVE

Past Participle
P.P.

It must have been a difficult decision.

They should have invited her to their wedding.

MODAL
PERFECT
MUST HAVE + P.P.

USES

EXAMPLES

Concluzie logic despre Peter has arrived late. He must

trecut.
have been in a traffic jam.

MODAL
PERFECT
MAY / MIGHT HAVE
+ P.P.

USES

EXAMPLES

O presupunere despre
ceva in trecut.

Joe may / might have taken the

wrong train.

MODAL
PERFECT

COULD HAVE + P.P.

USES

Abilitatea de a fi fcut
ceva, dar nerealizat n
cele din urm.

EXAMPLES

You could have played better.

MODAL PERFECT
COULDNT HAVE + P.P.

USES
Certitudinea c ceva
nu s-ar fi putut
ntmpla.

EXAMPLES
She couldnt have passed
because she hadnt studied
enough.

MODAL
PERFECT
WOULD HAVE + P.P.

USES
Dorinta de a fi fcut
ceva, dar nerealizat din
cauza unor cauze
externe.

EXAMPLES
I would have visited you, but I
forgot your address.

MODAL PERFECT
SHOULD / COULD
OUGHT TO HAVE + P.P.

USES
Reclamatie pentru o
actiune din trecut.

EXAMPLES
You should / ought to have
warned me earlier.

MODAL PERFECT

SHOULDNT HAVE + P.P.

USES

Revizuirea unui
eveniment din trecut
care nu trebuia s se
ntmple.

EXAMPLES

He shouldnt have dressed

like that for such a formal
party.

MODAL PERFECT

NEEDNT HAVE + P.P.

USES

Revizuirea unui
eveniment din trecut
care nu nu era necesar
s se ntmple.

EXAMPLES

You neednt have bought

such an expensive gift.

Modals in Past : Modal + have + past participle

Modal

Concept

Example

Would have

Past unreal action

I would have bought the car, but I didnt

have money

Could have

Past unreal Ability

She could have taken the flight

May have

Past unreal
Possibility

We may have passed the test, but it was in

French

Might have

Past Unreal Small

Probability

You might have sold the house, if you

really needed the money

Should have

Past unreal
Recommendation

You should have listened to the doctor

Must have

Past unreal
Assumption

We must have been crazy!

Practice
1. My son ___ be home by now. Where can he be?

a. Have to
2.

b. could

c. ought to

d. can

b. mustnt

c. dont have to

d. had to

Johnnies fallen down the stairs! I ________ call an ambulance!

a. Will

5.

d. Could

If you are interested in losing weight, you ______ try this new diet.
a. Could

4.

c. Should

I think your thumb is broken. You ___ go to the emergency room.

a. Might

3.

b. Would

b. might

c. may

d. ought to

You _______ come too early. We wont leave until 9 oclock.

a. Has to

b. must

c. neednt

d. cant

Practise
6.

Children ________ be accompanied by an adult at the zoo.

a. Ought to
7.

d. mustnt

b. mustnt

c. couldnt

d. ought to

I can feel the heat. We _________ be near the fire.

a. Can

9.

c. would

You _________ talk during tests. Its forbidden!

a. dont have to

8.

b. must

b. would

c. must

d. have to

They ________ hear him because he was whispering.

a. Wouldnt

b. mustnt

c. shouldnt

d. couldnt

10. Youve never heard of Britney Spears! You ________ be serious!

a. Must

b. had to

c. cant

d. shouldnt

Practise
11. __________ you like to have dinner with me tonight?

a. Could

b. may

c. should

d. would

12. You _________ let him hear about the party tomorrow. Its a

surprise!
a. mustnt

b. wouldnt

c. couldnt

d. can

13. __________ I speak to the Chief of Police, please?

a. Must

b. May

c. Would

d. Need

14. He has arrived late. He _______ missed the bus

a. Must have

b. Should have

c. Could have

d. must

More practise
Re-write the following sentences using modals so that they have the

same meaning.
1. I suggest that you get a good lawyer!

should get a lawyer

You ___________________________________________
2.

A university degree isnt necessary for that job.

neednt have a university degree for that job

You ___________________________________________
dont have to have a university

3.

Perhaps my father will pick you up.

may / might pick you up
My father _______________________________________

4.

4. Eating is forbidden in class!

mustnt eat in class
You ___________________________________________

More practise
Re-write the following sentences using modals so that they have the

same meaning.
5.

Look at his dirty clothes! Im sure he is a poor person.

must be a poor person
He ____________________________________________

6.

I dont believe that the legend of Hercules is true because therere

many contradictions.
cant be true
The legend of Hercules ____________________________

Use your imagination

Think about these situations and create a sentence using modals.
1.

We are going to Paris for a weekend. (Make suggestions about

things to do)

2.

We start school in September. (Talk about necessity)

3.

Margaret is a very talented sportswoman. (Talk about ability)

4.

You have just won the lottery! (Talk about possibility)

5.

Peter has got a headache and a congested nose. (Give him some
advice)

6.

You want to borrow your uncles Mercedes Benz. (Ask for permission
politely)

Possible answers
1. We could visit the Louvre / We should go up the Eiffel Tower

2. We have to buy a new notebook

3. She can speak 3 languages! / She is able to play the piano and the violin
4. I might stop working / I may buy a new car / I can travel to New York
5. You should see a doctor / You ought to drink hot tea

6. Can I borrow your car, please? or May I borrow your car, please?