1. Modal Verbs Sourcce: COBUILD (1990) Cambrigde Test

2. Introduction Special kind of auxiliary verb Always used with a main verb Express an attitude

3. Special Characteristics Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the verb Examples: I could go. He could have left. They might be studying.

4. Modal verbs do not inflect, i.e. they do not take an s or ed form. Examples: He must study. They must study.

5. Modal verbs do not take auxiliary. The negative is formed by adding not. Questions are formed by inverting the subject and the modal.

6. Examples: You can't use a calculator. May I come in?

7. Modal verbs have no infinitive. Other expressions must be used instead. Examples: Will you be able to help me? (can) I am going to have to leave. (must)

8. Modal verbs have no past form. Other expressions must be used instead. Examples: I had to change the tyre. (must) Were you able to find a solution? (can)

9. Classification Ability: can, could Likelihood: must, can, could, may,might Obligation: must, need, ought to, should Permission: can, may,could

10. Modal Verbs Can Could Be able to May Might Be allowed to Must Have to Had to Should Will Going to Shall Would

11. Can Ability Peter can speak French. Permission Can I borrow your pen? Possibility Temperatures can rise.

12. Could Remote potential I could read much faster. Polite permission Could I leave early? Remote possibility Things could get worse.

13. May Permission May I take one of these? Possibility Our plan may be changed. Concession (but) It may not be dangerous now, but it will be.

14. Might Remote possibility He is busy but he might join us. Request Might I ask you an important favour. Concession – less likely That might happen,but there is nothing to worry about.

15. Must Strong obligation I must try harder next time. Conclusion The computer is on, so someone must be using it.

16. Have to Obligations We have to wear uniforms. Conclusion He is really tall, he has to be 2m tall.

17. Should Weak obligation/ requirement You shouldn't smoke. Possibility The report should soon be finished.

19. Be able to (can) We were able to repair the old car. (past) They will be able to achieve many goals. (future)

20. Be allowed to (may) You will be allowed to use dictionaries. (permission in the future)

21. Had to We had to wear school uniforms. (obligations in the past)

22. Needn't / don't need to You needn't/don't need to bring your computer because there is one in the office. (absence of obligation)

23. Used to He used to ride a bike to work. (past action)

25. Exercise 1 Write sentences using an appropriate modal verb. Cell-phones are prohibited inside the classroom. You want to go to the toilet. Sara has the ability to design robot models. He has got a headache. When she was younger she rode a bike, now she drives a car.

26. Answers You can't/mustn't use cell- phones inside the classroom. Can/Could/May I go to the toilet? Sara can design robot models. You should take an aspirin. She used to ride a bike.

28. Exercise 2 Choose the correct option. Don't eat it! It (could – should) be poisonous. (Must – Can) I borrow your pen? I (needn't – could) have dressed smartly. Everyone was in jeans. They (should – mustn't) tidy the house up. He (might – should) be wrong. You (mustn't – needn't) smoke.

29. Answers Don't eat it! It could be poisonous. Can I borrow your pen? I needn't have dressed smartly. everyone was in jeans. They should tidy the house up. He might be wrong. You mustn't smoke.

31. Exercise 3 Read the situation and then complete the sentences with a modal and the verbs in gaps. His coat is on the floor. He __________________ (drop) it. It ___________________ (be) his coat. There _______________ (be) some logical reason for it.

32. Answers He could/may/might have dropped it. It mustn't/can't be his coat. There must/should be some logical reason for it.

33. Exercise 4 Find the mistakes and then correct. He may comes to the party. They must to go to the office. She should is on time for class. You needn't leave the computer on during a storm. We use to complete sentences.

34. Answers He may come to the party. They must go to the office. She should be on time for class. You shouldn't leave the computer on during a storm. We used to complete sentences.

35. Exercise 5 Complete the sentences. I have an exam tomorrow. I ________ study. I feel very sleepy.You _________ take a nap. They cancelled the meeting. I_________ finish the report. The job interview is at 5:00. I _____ be on time.

36. Answers I have an exam tomorrow. I must study. I feel very sleepy.You should take a nap. They cancelled the meeting. I needn't finish the report. The job interview is at 5:00. I have to be on time.

37. Exercise 6 Find the 6 mistakes and correct them. You must to study. They will studies for the exam. He has to studying for the test. Can I study in this room? They be able to speak English. We should did more exercises. She have to clean the house.

38. Answers You must study. They will study for the exam. He has to study for the test. Can I study in this room? They are able to speak English. We should do more exercises. She has to clean the house.

39. Review Complete the sentences You should Tea is If I pass the exam, Last week we Sara usually Tomorrow I

40. Possible answers You should study more. Tea is produced in Misiones. If I pass the exam,I will be very happy. Last week we studied Passive Voice. Sara usually drinks coffee. Tomorrow I will send e-mails.