Daw Ngu Wah Wah Htun

Associate Professor
Department of English
Technological University (Hpa-an)
Modal Verbs
 Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that are used to express modality, which is the grammatical
category that conveys the speaker’s attitude towards the action or state described by the main verb.
Modal verbs are always used with the base form of the main verbs. They do not take -s or -ed endings.

Ability Obligation/
Suggestion Future time Possibility
Necessity

Can Could Shall Should Will Would May Might Must

Be able to Ought to Have to Need to

Request
Types of Modal Verb
• Ability
• Request
• Permission
• Possibility
• Obligation
• Necessity
• Suggestion/ Advice
• Prohibition
 Tenses Affirmative Negative Affirmative Negative
❑ Present can can’t is/ are able to isn’t able to/ aren’t able to
❑ Past could couldn’t was/ were able to wasn’t able to/ weren’t able to
❑ Future
will be able to won’t be able to
❑ Present shall shan’t ought to ought not to
❑ Past should shouldn’t

❑ Present will won’t

❑ Past would wouldn’t

❑ Present may may not

❑ Past might might not

❑ Present must mustn’t have to don’t have to/ doesn’t have to

❑ Past must mustn’t didn’t have to

❑ Present need to don’t need to/ doesn’t need to

❑ Past didn’t need to
 Modal Verbs (Pre-Test)
I. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
1. They ………….. build the house in six months. (can/ are able to)
2. We ……… be careful when crossing the street. (must/ have to)
3. She ……… forget to bring her ID to the exam. (doesn’t have to/ mustn’t)
4. We …….. visit our friends if we have time. (may/ might)
5. You ……… get more exercise to stay healthy. (should/ ought to)

II. Rewrite the following sentences using suitable modal verbs.

1. It is advisable for you to drink more water. (You ………… drink more water.)
2. It is likely that you will meet him at the event. (You ……. meet him at the event.)
3. You are not required to finish the project. (You ……… finish the project today.)
4. It is essential for her to arrive on time. (She …………. arrive on time.)
5. He is capable of playing the guitar. (He ………….. play the guitar.)
 Modal Verbs
1. Despite the obstacles, they ………... complete the project on time.
2. We ………… be there fifteen minutes before the concert starts.
3. He ……… be late for the meeting because of traffic.
4. You ……… study harder if you want to pass the exam.
5. We ……….. encounter some difficulties along the way.
6. You …………. be more respectful to your elders.
7. I ……….. paly tennis when I was younger.
8. You ……….. drive without a license.
9. You ……….. go to the doctor if you feel sick.
10. You ……….. be back at 10 o’clock.
11. You …………. call a taxi.
12. ………… I borrow your car?
 Identifying Tyes of Modal Verb
1. Despite the obstacles, they were able to complete the project on time. 1. Ability
2. We have to be there fifteen minutes before the concert starts. 2. Obligation
3. He might be late for the meeting because of traffic. 3. Possibility
4. You need to study harder if you want to pass the exam. 4. Necessity
5. We may encounter some difficulties along the way. 5. Possibility

6. You ought to be more respectful to your elders. 6. Suggestion

7. I could paly tennis when I was younger. 7. Ability
8. You mustn’t drive without a license. 8. Prohibition
9. You should go to the doctor if you feel sick. 9. Suggestion
10. You must be back at 10 o’clock. 10. Obligation
11. You don’t have to call a taxi. 11. Lack of Obligation
12. Can I borrow your car? 12. Request
1. Ability (Can, Could, Be able to)
1. Can: to describe present abilities or general abilities
E.g., She can swim vey fast.
I can speak English and French.

2. Could: to talk about past abilities, polite requests, or condition situations.

E.g., When I was a child, I could climb trees easily.
Could you help me with this?
I could finish the project if I had more time.

3. Be able to: to describe specific abilities and future abilities.

E.g., After a lot of practice, he was able to play the piano.
I will be able to finish the report by tomorrow.
2. Request/ Permission (Can, Could, May, Would)
1. Can: Asking for and giving/denying permission (Informal Permission)
E.g., Can I use your phone?
You can go to the party.

2. Could: Asking for and giving/denying permission (Polite/Formal Request)

E.g., Could I leave early today?
You could take a break now.

3. May: Asking for and giving/denying permission (Formal Permission)

E.g., May I see your passport, please?”
You may not enter the restricted area.

4. Would: Very polite requests and permission

E.g., Would you mind opening the window?
3. Possibility (May, Might)
1. May: to express the likelihood or possibility of an event or situation (Higher Possibility,
Formal Permission), often used in formal writing and speech.
E.g., She may come to the party tonight.
It may rain tomorrow. (There is a reasonable chance of rain)

2. Might: to express the likelihood or possibility of an event or situation (Lower Possibility,

Informal), commonly used in causal conversion
E.g., You might want to check your answers.
It might rain tomorrow. (There is some chance of rain, but it’s less certain)
4. Obligation/ Necessity (Must, Have to, Need to)

1. Must: Strong necessity or obligation, often coming from the speaker

E.g., Students must submit their assignments by the deadline. (Strong Obligation)
*** You mustn’t smoke in here. (Prohibition)

2. Have to: External necessity or obligation, often imposed by an external authority or situation
E.g., I have to attend the meeting tomorrow. (External Obligation)
*** She doesn’t have to finish her composition tonight. (Not necessary)
(**don’t have to : indicates that there is no obligation or necessity. It is not necessary to do something,
you can do it if you want but it is not necessary.)

3. Need to: Indicates necessity

E.g., You need to eat more vegetables. (Necessity)
You don’t need to worry about it. (Lack of Necessity)
5. Suggestion/ Advice (Should, Ought to)
1. Should: Advice or Recommendation (to give advice or suggest what someone ought to do)
E.g., You should take a break if you’re feeling tired.
We should leave early to avoid traffic.

2. Ought to: Moral Obligation or Strong advice

E.g., You ought to apologize for being late.
He ought to spend more time with his family.
6. Prohibition (Mustn’t, Can’t)

1. Must not: to give strong and explicit orders or rules often in formal contexts (Formal Prohibition)
E.g., Students must not chat during exams.

2. Cannot: to indicate something is not allowed or possible. (Prohibition/ Inability)

E.g., You cannot enter without a valid ticket.
Students can’t leave the classroom during the test.
 Type Modal Verbs Examples
Ability Can, Could, Be able to • David can speak three languages.
• He could speak fluent French when he was 5.
• She was able to solve the puzzle in under five minutes.
Request/ Can, Could, May, • You can sit in that chair.
Permission Would • Could you open the window?
• May I borrow your dictionary?
• Would you mind if I asked you a question?
Possibility Might, May • It looks nice, but it might be very expensive.
• Richard may be coming to see us tomorrow.
Obligation/ Necessity Must, Have to, Need to • I must memorize all of these rules about tenses.
• You have to take off your shoes before you get into this temple.
• The team needs to work together to achieve their goals.
Advice/ Suggestion Should, Ought to • You should visit your dentist at least twice a year.
• She ought to apologize for her mistake.
Prohibition Mustn’t, Can’t • Passenger must not smoke on the bus.
• Visitors can’t enter this area without permission.
Exercise 1
Write the appropriate modal verb to fill in the blanks.
1. He …….. solve the problem because he studied hard.
2. We ………. pay the bills before the end of the month.
3. She ……. submit the application online; she can send it by mail.
4. ……… I leave early today?
5. Visitors …….. take photographs inside the museum.
6. If you’re feeling unwell, you …….. see a doctor.
7. We ……… book our tickets in advance to get a discount.
8. You ……… bring your own laptop to the workshop.
9. ……… you help me with this project?
10. She ………. attend the meeting tomorrow because she has a doctor’s appointment.
Exercise 2
Rewrite each sentence using the correct modal verb to convey the same meaning.
1. You are obligated to turn off the lights when you leave the room.
You ……….. turn off the lights when you leave the room.
2. It is prohibited to smoke in the hospital.
You ……. smoke in the hospital.
3. Is it okay if I leave my bag here?
……… I leave my bag here.
4. It is required for students to submit their assignments on time.
Students ……… submit their assignments on time.
5. It is not allowed to use mobile phones during the flight.
You ……… use mobile phones during the flight.
Exercise 2
Rewrite each sentence using the correct modal verb to convey the same meaning.
1. She is unsure if she can solve the problem.
2. It is best for him to avoid junk food.
3. It is forbidden to feed the animals in the zoo.
4. It is essential for her to arrive on time.
5. He was capable of lifting the heavy box.
6. They are not obligated to participate in the event.
7. She has the ability to swim very well.
8. It is not necessary for us to wake up early tomorrow
9. I will have the ability to join you tomorrow.
10. It is necessary for him to attend the meeting.
❑ Could have + Past participle: Reflects on past possibilities, actions, events, emphasizing that
that something was possible but did not necessarily happen.
• She could have gone to the party, but I’m not sure if she did. (Possibility in the past)
• If I had known about the meeting, I could have prepared better. (Hypothetical Situations in the past)
• we could have won the game if we had practiced more. (Missed Opportunities)
• You could have told me you were going to be late. (Criticism)

❑ Would have + Past participle: Reflects on past actions, often focusing on what was ideal,
expected, or advisable but did not occur.
• If it had rained, we would have stayed home. (Hypothetical Situations in the past)
• I would have called you, but I lost my phone. (Regret)
• She would have come to the party, but she was sick. (Expected actions that did not happen)
• I would have appreciated it if you had informed me earlier. (Politeness or Softening Statements)
❑ May/Might have + Past participle: Conveys a sense of uncertainty or possibility regarding
past actions or events.
• She might have left her keys at the office. (Possibility in the past)
• He might have been sleeping when you called. (Speculation about the past)
• You might have told me you were coming earlier. (Softened Statements or Suggestions)

❑ Should have + Past participle: Reflects on past actions, often focusing on what was ideal,
expected, or advisable but did not occur.
• I should have studied harder for the exam. (Regret)
• You should have checked the weather before leaving. (Advice)
• Given the symptoms, the doctor should have prescribed antibiotics. (Conclusions)
❑ Must have + Past participle: Implies a high degree of certainty or confidence about a past
event, based on evidence or logical reasoning.
• The lights are off and no one’s answering the door. They must have left already.
(Strong Deduction or Certainty)
• He must have been tired after such a long journey. (Logical Conclusion)
• She must have forgotten her keys because they’re not here. (Assumption)
Exercise 3
Choose the correct options.
1. She (must have/ could have) left her phone at home because it’s not in her bag.
2. You (should have/ would have) been more careful with the glass.
3. If I had known, I (could have/ must have) helped you.
4. He (should have/ might have) told us he was going to be late.
5. They (would have/ should have) arrived by now; it’s already past 10 PM.
6. They (must have / might have) lost their way, as they arrived very late.
7. She (would have/ must have) eaten breakfast; there’s an empty plate on the table.
8. I (must have/ should have) finished the report yesterday, but I was too tired.
9. We (might have/ could have) gone to the concert, but we didn’t have enough money for ticket.
10. She (should have/ might have) told us she was leaving early, we were all waiting for her.
 Make, Let, Allow:
Permission, Obligation &
Prohibition
 Make, Let, Allow
(Permission, Obligation & Prohibition)
*** The verbs “make”, “let”, and “allow” are used to express causation, permission or freedom to do something

1. Let: To permit someone to do something (Permission)

Pattern: Subject + let + object + base verb
E.g., She lets her brother borrow the car.

2. Make: To force someone to do something (Obligation)

Pattern: Subject + made + object + base verb
E.g., The teacher made the students redo the assignment.

3. Allow: To give permission for someone to do something (Permission)

Pattern: Subject + allow + object + to + base verb
E.g., They allowed the children to stay up late.
1. Permission
❑ We can use let + objective + infinitive (without to) and allow + object + to + infinitive to talk
about permission.
E.g., She lets her children do anything they want.
My father let me use his car.
The teacher allowed the students to ask question.

2. Obligation
❑ We can use make/ made + object + infinitive (without to) to talk about obligation.
E.g., The company makes the staff work very hard.
She made me do it again.

3. Prohibition
❑ We can use doesn’t/ didn’t let + object + infinitive (without to) and doesn’t/ didn’t allow +
object + to + infinitive to talk about prohibition.
E.g., They don’t let me leave until five o’clock.
He didn’t let me speak.
They don’t allow animals to come into the house.
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb “make, let or allow” and make sure to use the
correct form.
1. The teacher ……… the students redo the assignment because it was incorrect.
2. Her parents don’t …….. her stay out past midnight.
3. My boss …….. me take the afternoon off for the doctor’s appointment.
4. We …….. our dog sleep inside the house during winter.
5. The manager ……… the employees leave early on Fridays.
6. The company policy ………. employees to work from home once a week.
7. Can you …….. me know if you need any help with that.
8. They didn’t …….. me to enter the building without an ID.
9. She ……. her children play video games for an hour each day.
10. His strict diet doesn’t …… him to eat sweets.
Exercise 2
Rewrite each sentence using “make, let or allow” to convey the same meaning.
1. The rules require all visitors to sign in at the front desk.
The rules ……… all visitors sign in at the front desk.
2. His parents permit him to use the car on weekends.
His parents ……… him use the car on weekends.
3. The coach forces the team to run five miles every morning.
The coach ……… the team run five miles every morning.
4. She is not permitted to enter the lab without supervision.
They do not …… her to enter the lab without supervision.
5. The policy permits employees to take breaks during work hours.
The policy……….. employees to take breaks during work hours.
 Thank You
for your pay attention