To express ability, possibility, permission or obligation. They are only complementary verbs, they need another verb so that the sentence makes sense.
Modal verbs do not function without another verb, which is generally written in the infinitive form after the modal. You will find the different types of Modals with Examples, Exams and Downloads.
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It is used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission and to show possibility. The negative form of 'Can' is Can't.
The past form of 'Can' is 'Could'. We can use 'be able to' instead of 'Can' to talk about the past or the future.
It is used to talk about an ability in the past. We can also use 'was/were able to' instead of 'Could'. The negative form of 'Could' is 'Could not' and its contraction is Couldn't.
It can be used to talk about a possibility or probability.It is also used to make suggestions and requests.
It is used to talk about possibility. It can also be used to talk about a possibility in the future, like the modal 'Could'. The negative form of 'May' is 'May not'.
'May' can be used to give permission or instructions. In the interrogative form, the use of 'May' sounds more polite than 'Can' or 'Could'.
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Examples
May I have a coffee?
You may use your cell phone now.
She may arrive at 10 p.m.
May I leave now?
'Might' is another Modal verb with the same meaning as 'May' but the last one indicates more certainty or probability.Take into account that we also use 'Might' instead of 'May' to talk about the Past.The negative form of 'Might' is 'Might not'.
It is used to talk about the future, to make promises and offers, to express spontaneous decisions, plans and predictions.
The past form of 'Will' is 'Would'.
Its negative form is 'Will not' and the contraction is Won't (it is more used).
'Shall' has the same meaning as 'Will' but it is more formal, so we use 'Shall' to talk with a superior, an unknown person or an authority.
It is common to use 'Shall' when we want to ask for advice or an opinion.
The negative form of 'Shall' is 'Shall not'.
'Should' and 'Ought to' have a very similar meaning. We use them to talk about obligations and recommendations.
We write 'Should' and 'Ought to' followed by the infinitive form of the verb. Their negative forms are Shouldn't and Oughtn't.
There are some subtle differences between 'Should' and 'Ought to'.
'Should' is often used to give advice while 'Ought to' has to do with moral duty.
Take into account that 'Should' is more commonly used, especially in the negative or interrogative form.
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Examples
You should tell him the truth.
Emma shouldn't go out so late at night.
You ought to visit your grandpa more often.
Should I call the doctor?
Children ought to respect old people.
'Must' and 'Have to' are quite similar, they are used to talk about obligations and they are followed by the infinitive form of the verb.
There are some differences in meaning, we use 'Must' to express personal opinions about what should be done, instead,'Have to' is used to express an external obligation imposed by someone else.
We use 'Must' to talk about a probability or to assume something.
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Examples
We must leave now.
They have to study a lot for tomorrow.
Personal obligation:
I must brush my teeth every day.
Assumption:
John must be at home.
Imposed by the law:
You have to use the seatbelt when driving.
Personal opinion:
Expressing that it was imposed by an authority:
It is said by the teacher:
You must study for tomorrow.
The negative form of 'Must' is Mustn't. The negative form of 'have to' depends on the subject, Don't/Doesn't have to.There are differences in meaning.
We use Mustn't to talk about prohibitions but we use Don't/Doesn't have to when there is lack of obligation.
You can also use 'Must' to ask rhetorical questions.
'Would' is used to talk about the past or about the future in the past, it is the past form of 'Will'. We also use 'Would' in the Conditional sentences.
It is also used to express desire, opinions or making polite requests.
We generally write 'Would' followed by the main verb in the infinitive form.
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Examples
Opinion:
I would call Tom if I were you.
Future in the past:
Last Saturday I would have gone with you.
Polite request:
Would you help me with the shopping bags, please?
Polite request:
Would you like to go to the theatre?
Desire:
If I had money I would buy a plane.
The short form of 'Would' is 'd'. Its negative form is Wouldn't.
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Answer
Correct Answer
Modals are complementary verbs.
True
Well done!
False
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The sentence ‘I think it could rain tomorrow’ is an example of…
Suggestion
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Probability
Good!
Request
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‘Should’ and ‘Ought to’ have very different meanings.
True
Wrong answer
False
You did it!
The negative form of Would is…
Wouldn’t
Great!
Not would
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Willn’t
Wrong answer
Which of the following sentences sounds more polite?
Could you take those bags?
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May you take those bags?
Cool!
Can you take those bags?
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The Past form of Can is…
Would
Wrong answer
Should
Keep trying
Could
You did it!
We also use Would in the Conditional sentences.
True
That´s it!
False
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Which of the following Modal verbs is used to express ability?
Can
Correct answer!
Should
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Must
Wrong answer
Which of these Modals is more formal?
Will
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Shall
Well done!
Would
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We use Mustn’t to talk about prohibitions.
True
Good!
False
Wrong answer
Which of the following Modal verbs is used to talk about an ability in the past?
Can
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Could
Great!
Should
Wrong answer
Which of the following sentences expresses a prohibition?
You don’t have to run here.
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You mustn’t smoke in public areas.
Cool!
You should leave now.
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The verb after the Modal verb is generally written in the…
Infinitive form.
You did it!
Past form.
Wrong answer
Present form.
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Which of the following sentences is a request?
Will you come tomorrow?
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Can you help me with the groceries?
That´s it!
Should I go with you?
Wrong answer
Will is used to make promises.
True
Correct answer!
False
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