1. Verbs which are special
MODALS VERBS
Verbs which are special

2. Some examples: I can play football You must pay attention in class
You may see a mirage in the desert.
She should go to the doctor.

3. Modal Verb
It indicates…
Example
Can
ability
I can speak two languages
Could
Past ability
He could run very fast last year
May / might / could (only affirmative)
possibility
It might snow this winter
Should
Advice
You should study harder
Must / have to
Obligation
We must pay attention in class
Don’t / doesn’t have to
No obligation
We don’t have to copy the sentences
Mustn’t / can’t
Prohibition
We mustn’t smoke in school

4. Characteristics of modal verbs
They are followed by an infinitive:
“It might rain tonight.”
They don’t take auxiliaries for negatives or interrogatives:
“Can I come in, please?
“You shouldn’t be late in the morning.”
They don’t take –s for the 3rd person singular:
“She must study very hard.”