Modals Part 1
- 1. MODALS WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THEM?
- 2. QUICK QUIZ • Which of these sentences is correct? • She cans see it. • She can sees it. • Can you see it? Correct • Do you can see it? • She can saw it.
- 3. MODAL FACTS • Modals never take a final –s even when the subject is he, she, or it. • Incorrect: She cans see it. • Modals are always followed by base verbs. • Incorrect: She can saw it./She can sees it./ She can did it./She can to do it.
- 4. OUGHT TO • "Ought to" (should) is the only modal which takes the infinitive (to + base verb) • Examples: • She ought to go see him. • I ought to finish my homework. • You ought to keep your umbrella safe.
- 5. USING MODALS: CAN • Ability or Possibility • Example: I can run fast. = I have the ability to run fast. • Permission • Example: You can use my car to drive to Wonderland. • Informal Polite Request • Example: Can I borrow your pencil?
- 6. USING MODALS: COULD • Past Ability • Example: I could run fast when I was a child. • Polite Request • Example: Could you help me? • Suggestion • Example: You could talk to your best friend about your problem. • Less Than 50% Certainty • Example: He could be sick today.
- 7. USING MODALS: WOULD • Polite Request • Example: Would you please pass me the salt? • Preference • Example: I would rather go to school than stay home. • Repeated Action in the Past • Example: When I was little, I would stay with my grandmother. • Polite Version of "Want" • Example: I would like to go home now.
- 8. USING MODALS: MAY • Polite Request • Example: May I borrow your pen? • Less than 50% Certainty • Example: I haven't seen Paulina, she may be at home.
- 9. USING MODALS: MIGHT • Less than 50% Certainty • Example: Jorge might be late tomorrow. • Polite Request • Example: Might I borrow your pen Jimmy?
- 10. USING MODALS: SHOULD • Advisability • Example: You should study because your test is tomorrow. • 90% Certainty (in the future) • Example: She should do well on her test tomorrow.
- 11. USING MODALS: MUST • Strong Necessity • Example: You must go to class today. • 95% Certainty • Example: Corinne is away today. She must be sick.
- 12. USING MODALS: WILL • 100% Certainty • Example: I will be at school tomorrow. • Willingness • Example: I'll get that for you. • Polite Request • Example: Will you please pass the salt?
- 14. POLITE REQUESTS WITH "I" (MODAL + I) • Using May: (most formal) • May I borrow your pen? • Using Could: (most formal) • Could I borrow your pen? • Using Might: (very formal) • Might I borrow your pen? • Using Can: (less formal) • Can I borrow your pen? (less formal)
- 15. POLITE REQUESTS WITH "YOU" (MODAL + YOU) • Would you/Will you (most polite forms) • Example: Would/Will you (please) pass me that pencil? • Could you (less formal) • Means: are you able to do this for me? • Example: Could you (please) pass me that pencil? • Can you (least formal) • Can you (please) pass me that pencil?
- 16. POLITE REQUESTS WITH "WOULD YOU MIND?" • Asking Permission • Would you mind if I closed the window? • Meaning: Would it cause you trouble if I did this? • Would you mind if I used you cell phone? • Meaning: Are you able to do this for me?
- 17. POLITE REQUESTS WITH "WOULD YOU MIND?" • Asking Someone to Do Something • Would you mind closing the window? • Meaning: Could you please do me this favour? • Excuse me. Would you mind repeating that? • Meaning:
- 18. REVIEW • May/might/could: Less than 50% certainty (at any time) • I MAY/MIGHT/COULD see that movie tonight. • Should: 90% certainty (in the future) • I SHOULD be there by 9:00 tomorrow morning. • Must: 95% certainty (at any time) You're soaking wet! It MUST be raining outside! • Will: 100 % certainty (in the future) • I promise I WILL be there early to study.