modal verbs 2003.ppt

8/10/2019 MODAL VERBS 2003.ppt

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When expressing politeness, opinions,making recommendations and suggestions,or simply giving advice

Essential in formal situations


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The following group of verbs are called ModalVerbs: Can/could

may/might

Shall/should

Will/would


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Modal verbs can be part of a Verb Group andexpress particular meanings, such as ability,possibility, permission, advice,recommendations, necessity and obligation.

Will/shall and would/should are also used toform future tenses.


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Modal verbs are followed by the infinitiveform of the main verb

E.g. I would like a weekly bus ticket please.

You should have a rest you have been studying allweekend.

May I borrow two books at a time from the library?

You must be home and in bed by midnight.

At the end of the semester I will return to mycountry.


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Modal Verb Meaning Example

Present past

Can Could Ability,possibility

Of course I can swim! ImAustralian!Yes, I can come tonight. I havenothing else to do.I could do that when I was young.

May Permission May I start now? Yes, you may. (Ipermit you).May I come in? Yes, you may (I

give you permission)May Might Possibility I may go to the concert tonight. I

am not sure.I might go the concert tonight. Iam really not sure.

Should Advice,recommendation,suggestion

You look unwell. You should seea doctor.You look tired. You should go tobed.

Must Necessity,obligation

Drivers must obey the road rules.I must go now. I am late for the

meeting


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Future Tenses

Will/shall and would/should are also used to

form future tenses.

Will Would Future I promise I will return the book

when I get to the library

He told me he would not go out

because he was studying

Shall Should *They shall be sitting the Englishtest next week.* The students knew they shouldsit the English test soon after thecourse


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When making future predictions orspeculating about the future we have severallanguage choices.

1. Verbs : I guess/imagine/suppose/think/suspect/expect

2. Modal verbs: we may/ people might/ there

could be/ it will be/ it would3. Conditionals: if I will/ might / could


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Some modal verbs are used to expresspoliteness, to be more courteous.

Will/would; can/could

Can/will you help me please? (simple request)

Could/would you help me please? (more polite)


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Past form of mustThe past form of must is had to

* Last night I could not go out because I had tofinish my final assignment.

* My supervisor said I had to finish my report

by today.


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Semi-modalsSome other verbs have a similar meaning tomodals but are followed by to and theinfinitive form of the main verb.

Ought to : advice/recommendation/suggestion

Have to/had to : Necessity/obligationNeed to : necessity

modal verbs 2003.ppt

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