Simple modals; use and examples
- 1. Modal verbs General rules Can Could May, might Must Should= ought to SEMIMODAL: need Followed by+ inf without to No"-s" in the 3rd p.sg. They act as auxiliaries. WE WILL ALSO SEE: Be able to Have to Be allowed to Had better
- 2. CAN CAN FUNCTIONS EXAMPLES Ability Ask/give permission Offer Request I can play the piano. Can I go to the toilet? Yes, you can. Can I offer you a glass of wine? Can I have a glass of water? CAN’T Prohibition Impossibility /deduction You can’t smoke in here. (John is on holiday in Tenerife. You are waiting for your friends to go out. Some of your friends see someone coming…) A: Look! John is coming !! B: He can’t be John. He is in Tenerife!
- 3. COULD COULD FUNCTIONS EXAMPLES Past ability Possibility Condition Suggestion Polite request I could run ten miles in my twenties. John could be the one who stole the money. If I had more time, I could travel around the world. We could spend our vacation in Hawaii. Could I borrow your stapler? Present Past Future She can speak 5 languages. She could speak 5 languages at school. be able to
- 4. BE ABLE TO TENSES EXAMPLE Present Past Future She is able to speak 5 languages. They were able to get tickets for the concert . Jack will be able to come next week. TO BE ALLOWED TO FUNCTIONS EXAMPLES Give permisssion Prohibition You are allowed to use your camera here. You aren’t allowed to smoke in here.
- 5. MAY/MIGHT FUNCTIONS EXAMPLES Possibility Request Jack may be upset (I am not sure). I can't really tell if he is annoyed or tired. May I borrow your eraser? TRY THESE EXAMPLES!!! I may/might fail ………………………… subjects this term. I may/might go to ……………………………..…this summer. I may/might present …….to my friend /parents/mother at Christmas.
- 6. MUST FUNCTIONS EXAMPLES Obligation (imposed by the speaker). Certainty /deduction Strong recommendation I must study Maths this afternoon. You have arranged an appointment with Sue at 6. It’s six o'clock now and someone rings the bell. -It must be Sue. (you are sure). You must take some time off and get some rest. MUSTN’T Prohibition You mustn’t smoke in this High School.
- 7. HAVE TO FUNCTION EXAMPLES External obligation She has to wear uniform in this high school. They have to show their I.D Card before entering. DON’T HAVE TO= NEEDN’T FUNCTION EXAMPLES Lack of obligation You needn’t make your bed in a hotel. You don’t have to wake up early on Sundays
- 8. SHOULD= OUGHT TO HAD BETTER FUNCTIONS EXAMPLES Give advice Strong recommendation You should/had better focus more on your family and less on work. You shouldn’t/oughtn’t to smoke so much. You had better not smoke so much. When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam.
- 9. REPHRASING If I were you I would tell him the truth. Example: You should tell him the truth. It isn't necessary for her to phone me back. Perhaps we'll go swimming tomorrow. I think Mary is probably at home because the windows are open. Perhaps we'll rent our house in summer. It's absolutely necessary that we finish the article today. You cannot smoke in the underground; it's forbidden. It is essential that we talk before the meeting starts. Why don't we go on a camping trip? Let's go to “Diagonal Mar”! It isn't necessary for us to book a table; I know one of the waiters. It's forbidden to drive without fastening your seatbelt. If I were you I'd do some more exercises. Perhaps I go on holiday to Menorca. It's compulsory for all students to attend lessons. It's possible that they move to Australia. You are not allowed to use the phone without permission.
- 10. REPHRASING If I were you I would tell him the truth. Example: You should tell him the truth. It isn't necessary for her to phone me back. Perhaps we'll go swimming tomorrow. I think Mary is probably at home because the windows are open. Perhaps we'll rent our house in summer. It's absolutely necessary that we finish the article today. You cannot smoke in the underground; it's forbidden. It is essential that we talk before the meeting starts. Why don't we go on a camping trip? Let's go to “Diagonal Mar”! It isn't necessary for us to book a table; I know one of the waiters. It's forbidden to drive without fastening your seatbelt. If I were you I'd do some more exercises. Perhaps I go on holiday to Menorca. It's compulsory for all students to attend lessons. It's possible that they move to Australia. You are not allowed to use the phone without permission.