Modal verbs “CAN, MAY & SHOULD” For Elementary and pre - intermediate level Students Presentation by Davron Abdullaev URGENCH STATE UNIVERSITY The faculty of Philology 2015

Plan  What is a Modal verb?  General description of Modals  The usage of modals

General description of Modals…  The modal verbs include can, must, may, might, will, would, should. They are used with other verbs to express ability, obligation, possibility, and so on…  For example: I can speak a little Polish. You may use my dictionary. I must go to class today

But today we will talk about three of the most common used modal verbs in English language They are: “can, may and should” So let’s get started…

“CAN”  Uses… 1.Ability. I can run fast 2.Informal permission. You can use my car 3.Informal polite request. Can I borrow your pen? 4.Possibility. Anyone can become rich and famous if they know the right people 5. Impossibility. That can not be true 6. Ability during a specific time. With a burst of adrenaline, people can pick up cars 7. Opportunity I have some free time, I can help her now

“MAY”  Uses… 1.Polite request. May I borrow your pen? 2.Formal permission. You may leave the room 3.Less than 50% of certainty. Where is John? He may be at the library

And finally “SHOULD”  Uses 1.Advisability. You should study hard 2.Obligation. I should be at home before 9 o’clock 3. 90% of certainty. (used only in future, not in present) She should do well on the test

Is everything understandable??? Do you have any questions?

There are some more things I would like to mention…  Above mentioned modals are auxiliary verbs. They do not need an additional auxiliary in negatives or questions.  For example: Positives: I can speak Polish Negatives: I can not speak Polish Questions: Can I speak Polish?

Now let’s practice…

Find meanings of the modals which express ability, permission, request, possibility, advice, obligation and so on… 1.She cannot stay out after 10 PM. - 2.Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work. - 3.I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. - 4.Can you hand me the stapler? - 5.You should focus more on your family and less on work. - 6.May I use your bathroom? - 7.When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam. - 8.Any child can grow up to be president. - 9.Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. -

Literature: 1.Essential Grammar in Use, Raymond Murphy,Cambridge university press, English Grammar and Vocabulary for Elementary Language Practice, Michael Vince, Macmillan, 2003

Thank You for Your attention!!!