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    BAC1 Modal Verbs

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    MARIA JOSE SÁNCHEZ
    Bach 1 Modal verbs

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    BAC1 Modal Verbs

    Uploaded by

    MARIA JOSE SÁNCHEZ
    6 views3 pages
    Bach 1 Modal verbs

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    BAC1_modal_verbs

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    Bach 1 Modal verbs

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    6 views3 pages

    BAC1 Modal Verbs

    Uploaded by

    MARIA JOSE SÁNCHEZ
    Bach 1 Modal verbs

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    MODAL VERBS

    Materials for 1ºBAC students

    Learn the main uses of modal verbs in English

    https://www.instagram.com/efl_ana/
    Modal verbs

    MODAL AUXILIARY VERBS


    • They are not used to talk about things which are definitely happening.
    o She might go.
    • They are always followed by another verb in the infinitive without to.
    o You shouldn't smoke.
    • They have no -(e)s on the third person singular.
    o He can't swim.
    • Questions and negatives are made without do.
    o If I were you I wouldn't do that.
    • Modal verbs have no infinitives; other expressions have to be used instead, when an infinitive is
    necessary.
    o I want to be able to swim. (Not: *I want to can swim.)
    o I had to visit her yesterday. (Not: *I must visit her yesterday.)
    • Modal verbs have no past forms (could and would are sometimes used with a past meaning).
    • Each modal verb has often several meanings, one of them usually related to probability or
    possibility.

    CAN (BE ABLE TO)


    • We use can (/kæn/, /kən/) when we want to say that something is possible or somebody has the
    ability to do something.
    o You can dance very well.
    • Can may be used for suggestions:
    o We can go to the new swimming pool in the afternoon.
    • Be able to is used when an infinitive (or another tense) is needed:
    o They will be able to speak French next year. (Not: *They will can speak French next year.)
    • In the negative can't (/kɑ:nt/) is used:
    o We can't speak German well.
    • Can't is used when we realize that something is impossible: PROBABILITY
    o It can't be true. - MUST 100%
    - MAY 50%
    COULD
    - MIGHT 30%
    • Could (/kʊd/, /kəd/) is used for past ability:
    o When I was 7 I could read and write very well. - COULD 30%
    • It is also used for deduction, when we think that something is possible: - CAN'T 0%
    o They could be right about that.
    • Could is used when asking permission:
    o Could I borrow your red pen.

    MAY
    • May (/meɪ/) is used when asking permission (it's more formal than could):
    o May I go to the toilet? Yes, of course.
    • We use may to say that something is possible:
    o It may / could / might rain this afternoon.

    MIGHT
    • Might (/maɪt/) is used to mean that something is possible:
    o It may / could / might rain this afternoon.
    MUST
    • Must (/mʌst/) is used when we know that something is necessary:
    o You must study harder, otherwise you'll fail.
    • In the negative it means negative obligation:
    o You mustn't lose my key. It's the only one I have.
    • Must is also used when we are certain aout something:
    o They aren't answering the phone. They must be out.
    SHOULD / SHOULDN'T
    • Should and shouldn't are used for giving advice:
    o You should lose some weight if you want to be healthy.
    o We shouldn't wait any longer.
    HAVE TO / DON'T HAVE TO
    • Have to is not really a modal verb as it doesn't share all their characteristics.
    • Have to is used to provide all the tenses that must doesn't have:
    o He will have to come with me tomorrow.
    • Have to means external obligation whereas must means that the speaker thinks it is necessary:
    o You must be quiet. I'm trying to concentrate.
    o This is a hospital. You have to be quiet.
    • In the negative don't / doesn't have to means lack of obligation (≠ mustn't)
    o You don't have to finish the exercises today. You can do them at the weekend.
    DON'T NEED TO / NEEDN'T
    • Don't need and needn't express lack of obligation:
    o You don't have to do the washing up. It can wait.
    o You needn't worry about the cat.
    OUGHT TO
    • Ought to / oughtn't to are used as synonyms for should/shouldn't; however ought to takes
    an infinitive with to:
    o She ought to drive more carefully.

    MODALS + PERFECT INFINITIVES


    MUST HAVE + PAST Deduction about the past. They must have felt really
    PARTICIPLE comfortable.
    MIGHT/MAY HAVE + They are used when talking She's late. She may have
    PAST PARTICIPLE about the possibility that past missed the train.
    events happened. What was that? I don't know.
    It might have been a dog.
    COULD HAVE + PAST It is used when speculating He could have seen a film.
    PARTICIPLE about the past.
    For criticism You could have told me about
    Phil.
    COULDN'T HAVE + PAST For negative deduction It couldn't have happened.
    PARTICIPLE They couldn't have known
    about the problem.
    SHOULD HAVE + PAST For regrets about the past. We should have studied more
    PARTICIPLE for the exam.
    SHOULDN'T HAVE + For regrets about something You shouldn't have gone by
    PAST PARTICIPLE that happened in the past. bus.
    NEEDN'T HAVE + PAST Something unnecessary was You needn't have spent so
    PARTICIPLE done but it was a waste of time. much money on a present.

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