Modal Verbs

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Modal Verbs

Lesson Aims:

- To differentiate between the usage of modal verbs in both a receptive and productive manner. 

What are modal verbs?

- An auxiliary verb that expresses possibilities, necessities, giving advice, obligations, and giving permission. 

- Word usage such as: can, could, may, might, must, should, have to, shall, will, would 

- Can also be used in negations and questions (Ex.: cannot/can't, May I have a glass of water?)

Can / Could:

Can:

- To show ability (Ex.: Superman can travel at the speed of light.)

- To ask for permission (Ex.: Can I go to the bathroom?)

- To express doubt (Ex.: He cannot play on this level.)

- To show astonishment (Ex.: I cannot believe what I just saw!)

Could:

- Past abilities (Ex.: Michael Jordan could do amazing things on the basketball court.)

- Past possibilities for something that will never be known (Ex.: Could the athletes of the past have beaten the current athletes?) 

- To ask for permission, but more politely (Ex. could I go get something from my locker?)

May / Might:

May:

Asking for permission, but even more politely (Ex.: May I go to the bathroom?)

Possibility (Ex.: Richard may be coming to visit tomorrow evening.)

Might:

Possibility (Ex.: The clouds are getting darker, it might rain today.)

-Femke might or might not get accepted into the law school. 

-The situation with the company looks bad, and the employees might lose their jobs. 

Should / Shall:

Should - To give advice: 

Ex.: You should make sure to get enough daily exercise, eat healthily, and avoid junk food.

    -  You shouldn't drink and drive. 

    -   Shouldn't we get gas first? 

Shall: To make a prediction, promises, the probability for a future action, and future suggestions. Often used with "I" and "We". 

Ex.: I shall return!

   -   Shall we go?

   -   You shall not pass!

Will / Would:

Will:

Future prediction: Ex.: Ajax will become Dutch football champions in 2022.  

- Based on his marks, John won't be able to graduate. 

Would:

Hypothetical situation:

Must:

Must:

- Used for something very important or necessary for something to happen. It is also used to give orders. 

Ex: You must come right away, your wife is in labor. 

       We mustn't jump to conclusions. 

       The soldier must report to duty immediately. 

Ought to

Used interchangably with "should"

Isn't really used much anymore in favor of "should"

Does not contract when negated

Ex.

  -  We ought to hurry

  -  You ought not to worry

Modal verbs ignore the SHIT-rule!

I may/could/must/etc.

you may/could/must/etc.

SHIT may/could/must/etc.

so NOT

He mays have some candy

Ready for some practice?

Get ready! You have 30 seconds each to answer the following 

9 questions!

She is a small baby. She .......... eat fruit.
(Ze is een kleine baby. Ze mag echt geen fruit hebben)

1. must not
2. could not
3. cannot
4. shall not

He is very tall, so he ...... play basketball.
(Hij is zo lang, die zou wel eens basketball kunnen spelen)

1. might
2. can
3. could
4. should

The doctor said that I ......... smoke anymore.
(De dokter zegt dat ik zou moeten stoppen met roken)

1. mustn't
2. shouldn't
3. shall not
4. couldn't

....... I use your pen, please?
(Mag ik je pen gebruiken, alsjeblieft?)

1. Could
2. Might
3. Can
4. May

.......... Mary come with us?
(vraag wordt gesteld aan ouders)

1. Can
2. Could
3. May
4. Will

According to the weather report it .... rain this afternoon
(Volgens het weerbericht zou het kunnen gaan regenen vanmiddag)

1. can
2. may
3. might
4. shall

I think you ____ relax more. You have been working too much lately.
(Ik denk dat je het wat rustiger aan zou moeten doen)

1. should
2. could
3. may
4. can

I promise I _______ stop smoking.
(Ik beloof dat ik zal stoppen met roken)

1. would
2. will
3. shall
4. might

That ........ be John over there. He said he would be in America this week.

1. couldn't
2. won't
3. shouldn't
4. can't

How did you do?

😒🙁😐🙂😃

Tasks Week 43

- Read chapter 15+16 of TBitSP;

- Do ex. 53 and ex. 55 on p.118-119 (ch.2);

- Study vocab F + G, p.123 (ch.2).

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