Modal Verbs

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

A modal verb is ...

I ... study harder!

MODALS

add extra meaning 

to the verb

Modals in songs

Listen to the songs in the next video. 

Make a note of the modal verbs you hear. 

How many do you hear? 

Indicate ALL of the modals you hear!

Answer in the slide after the songs.

HOW MANY MODALS DID YOU COME ACROSS WITH (ALL of them)?

1. 10
2. 13
3. 18
4. 15

Sum up the different modals you heard in the songs.

RULES!

* You can't conjugate modals

* Always followed by infinitive

* Add NOT to say the opposite or make the negative

CAN :  expresses ABILITY or POSSIBILITY. 

              asking for PERMISSION, a request

COULD:     making A SUGGESTION, an ABILITY

                     asking for PERMISSION, a request

MIGHT:       POSSIBILITY

MAY:     asking for PERMISSION

               A POSSIBILITY

CAN - COULD - MIGHT - MAY

Possibility (odd one out)
Try the shop on the corner. They ........ ....... what you are looking for.
.

1. may have
2. can have
3. might have
4. could have

More probability
Take an umbrella, it may/might/could .... rain later on

1. well
2. not
3. better
4. good

past possibility that didn't happen
We ....... the game but Joe missed a penalty

1. won
2. can have won
3. might have won
4. could have won

... I ask you a question sir?

1. may
2. might
3. am I allowed to

Although he lives here, we never see him.
He may .............................

They're very likely to ask you to speak French during the interview.
You may .............

Perhaps he didn't know you were married.
She might .......

He had a good chance of getting the job, but he didn't apply.
If he'd applied for the job, he could......

I rarely use my bike these days, so it would make sense if I sold it.
I rarely use my bike, so I may.........

Why on earth didn't you tell me you were vegetarian?
You might.............

It's unlikely she was enjoying herself very much.
She can't ...........

MUST :          NECESSITY, OBLIGATION, PROHIBITION

HAVE TO:     OBLIGATION

NEED TO:     ADVICE, OBLIGATION, NECESSITY

SHOULD:     ADVICE, RECOMMEND STH., PREDICTION

OUGHT TO:  ADVICE (formal)

'NOT' > opposite meaning

MUST - HAVE TO - 

NEED TO - SHOULD - OUGHT TO

I think you ___ study a lot for tests.

1. should
2. have to

You ___ do your homework or you'll get a punishment.

1. can
2. have to
3. should

There are plenty of tomatoes in the fridge, you.... buy any.

1. have to
2. should not
3. don't have to

It's a hospital. You ... smoke.

1. must not
2. don't have to
3. should not
4. needn't

WILL :          INTENTION, INSTANT DECISION, OFFER,      

                      PROMISE, PREDICTION

WOULD :     REQUEST, ASKING FOR PERMISSION,

                      INVITATION, PREFERENCE

SHALL :    SUGGESTION, OFFER, PROHIBITION (formal)

'NOT' > opposite meaning

WILL - WOULD - SHALL

David ... meet you outside the coffeeshop.

1. will
2. would
3. shall

I ... contact you again tomorrow.

1. can
2. must
3. shall

Exercise

Drag and drop the words in the correct groups.

Permission 

Possibility

Probability

Obligation

can

could

may

Toestemming

Mogelijkheid

Waarschijnlijkheid

might

will

would

Verplichting

should

must

ought to

Ex. 1 - How good are you now?

Choose between:

must (not)

have to / has to

    do not have to / does not have to

* Only type the modals

* Do not use contracted forms!

I __ visit my friend. It's her birthday.

Sam __ wear a uniform at school.

You __ go to the supermarket. I'll do it.

You __ swim in this part of the river. It is very dangerous.

You __ drink a lot of water when it's warm.

Exercise 2

Rewrite the sentence using the given words

- Use the verbs correctly

- Mind the negatives and questions

- Do not use contracted forms

You are not allowed to talk during the test. (must not)

It isn't necessary to bring food.
(have to)

I am obliged to finish this letter before midday. (have to)

You are not allowed to leave the classroom without permission. (must not)

It is not necessary to pay for the tickets. (have to)

I think I understand how to use
modal auxiliary verbs.

1. Strongly agree.
2. Agree.
3. Disagree.
4. Strongly disagree.