MODALS
They are verbs which 'help' other verbs to express a meaning: it is important to realise that "modal verbs" have no meaning by themselves. A modal verb such as would has several varying functions; it can be used, for example, to help verbs express ideas about the past, the present and the future. It is therefore wrong to simply believe that "would is the past of will": it is many other things.
A few basic grammatical rules applying to modal verbs
Modal verbs are NEVER used with other auxiliary verbs such as do, does, did etc. The negative is formed simply by adding "not" after the verb; questions are formed by inversion of the verb and subject:
Examples: You should not do that. Could you pick me up when I've finished?
Modal verbs NEVER change form: you can never add an "-s" or "-ed", for example.
Modal verbs are NEVER followed by to, with the exception of ought to.
What sort of meanings do modals give to other verbs?
The meaning are usually connected with ideas of DOUBT, CERTAINTY, POSSIBILITY and PROBABILITY, OBLIGATION and PERMISSION (or lack of these). You will see that they are not used to talk about things that definitely exist, or events that definitely happened. These meanings are sometimes divided into two groups:
DEGREES OF CERTAINTY: certainty; probability; possibility; impossibility
OBLIGATION/FREEDOM TO ACT: permission,lack of permission; ability; obligation.
Let’s look at each modal verb separately, and the functions they help to express:
Will
1. Making personal predictions
I don't think the Queen will ever abdicate.
I doubt if I'll stay here much longer.
2. Talking about the present with certainty (making deductions)
I'm sure you will understand that there is nothing the Department can do
There's a letter for you. It'll be from the bank: they said they'd be writing.
3. Talking about the future with certainty
I won't be in the office until 11; I've got a meeting.
Don't bother ringing: they'll have left for their 10 o'clock lecture.
4. Talking about the past with certainty
I'm sure you will have noticed that attendance has fallen sharply.
5. Reassuring someone
Don't worry! You'll settle down quickly, I'm sure.
It'll be all right! You won't have to speak by yourself.
6. Making a decision in the present (non-intentional use)
For the main course I'll have grilled tuna.
I'm very tired. I think I'll stay at home tonight.
7. Making a semi-formal request
Will you open the window, please? It's very hot in here.
Sign this, will you?
8. Offering to do something
You stay there! I'll fetch the drinks.
9. Insistence; habitual behaviour
I'm not surprised you don't know what to do! You will keep talking in class.
Damn! My car won't start. I'll have to call the garage.
10. Making a promise or a threat
You can count on me! I'll be there at 8 o'clock sharp.
If you don't finish your dinner off, you'll go straight to bed!
Shall
Shall is a form of will, used mostly in the first person. Its use, however, is decreasing, and in any case in spoken English it would be contracted to "-ll" and be indistinguishable from will.
The only time you do need to use it is in questions, when:
1. Making offers
Shall I fetch you another glass of wine?
2. Making suggestions
Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
May & Might
May & might sometimes have virtually the same meaning; they are used to talk about possibilities in the past, present or future. ("Could" is also sometimes used).
May is sometimes a little bit "more sure" (50% chance); whereas might expresses more doubt (maybe only a 30% chance).
May & might are used, then, for:
1. Talking about the present or future with uncertainty
She may be back in her office: the lecture finished ten minutes ago.
I may go shopping tonight, I haven't decided yet.
England might win the World Cup, you never know.
2. Talking about the past with uncertainty
I'm surprised he failed. I suppose he might have been ill on the day of the exam.
They can also sometimes be used for talking about permission, but usually only in formal situations. Instead of saying May I open a window? we would say Is it all right/OK if I open a window? or Can I open a window? for example. You might, however, see:
Students may not borrow equipment without written permission.
May
Talking about things that can happen in certain situations
If the monitors are used in poorly lit places, some users may experience headaches.
Each nurse may be responsible for up to twenty patients.
With a similar meaning to although
The experiment may have been a success, but there is still a lot of work to be done. (= Although it was a success, there is still ...)
Might
Saying that something was possible, but did not actually happen
You saw me standing at the bus stop! You might have stopped and given me a lift!
Would
1. As the past of will, for example in indirect speech
"The next meeting will be in a month's time" becomes
He said the next meeting would be in a month's time.
2. Polite requests and offers (a 'softer' form of will)
Would you like another cup of tea?
Would you give me a ring after lunch?
I'd like the roast duck, please.
3. In conditionals, to indicate 'distance from reality': imagined, unreal, impossible situations
If I ruled the world, every day would be the first day of Spring.
It would have been better if you'd word processed your assignment.
4. After 'wish', to show regret or irritation over someone (or something's) refusal or insistence on doing something (present or future)
I wish you wouldn't keep interrupting me.
I wish it would snow.
(This is a complicated area! Check in a good grammar book for full details!)
5. Talking about past habits (similiar meaning to used to)
When I was small, we would always visit relatives on Christmas Day.
6. Future in the past
The assassination would become one of the key events of the century.
CanCould
1. Talking about ability
Can you speak Mandarin? (present)
She could play the piano when she was five. (past)
2. Making requests
Can you give me a ring at about 10?
Could you speak up a bit please? (slightly more formal, polite or 'softer')
3. Asking permission
Can I ask you a question?Could I ask you a personal question? (more formal, polite or indirect)
4. Reported speech
Could is used as the past of can.
He asked me if I could pick him up after work.
5. General possibility
You can drive when you're 17. (present)
Women couldn't vote until just after the First World War.
6. Choice and opportunities
If you want some help with your writing, you can come to classes, or you can get some 1:1 help.
We could go to Stratford tomorrow, but the forecast's not brilliant. (less definite)
7. Future probability
Could (NOT can) is sometimes used in the same way as might or may, often indicating something less definite.
When I leave university I might travel around a bit, I might do an MA or I suppose I could even get a job.
8. Present possibility
I think you could be right you know. (NOT can)
That can't be the right answer, it just doesn't make sense. (=Negative deduction)
9. Past possibility
If I'd known the lecture had been cancelled, I could have stayed in bed longer.
Must
Examples here refer to British English; there is some variation in American English.
1. Necessity and obligation
Must isoften used to indicate 'personal' obligation; what you think you yourself or other people/things must do. If the obligation comes from outside (eg a rule or law), then have to is often (but not always) preferred:
I really must get some exercise.
People must try to be more tolerant of each other.
You musn't look - promise?
If you own a car, you have to pay an annual road tax.
2. Strong advice and invitations
I think you really must make more of an effort.
You must go and see the film - it's brilliant.
You must come and see me next time you're in town.
3. Saying you think something is certain (= affirmative deduction)
This must be the place - there's a white car parked outside.
You must be mad.
What a suntan! You must have had great weather.
The negative is expresses by can't:
You're going to sell your guitar! You can't be serious!
She didn't wave - she can't have seen me.
Should
1. Giving advice
I think you should go for the Alfa rather than the Audi.
You shouldn't be drinking if you're on antibiotics.
You shouldn't have ordered that chocolate dessert - you're not going to finish it.
2. Obligation: weak form of must
The university should provide more sports facilities.
The equipment should be inspected regularly.
3. Deduction
The letter should get to you tomorrow - I posted it first class.
4. Things which didn't or may/may not have happened
I should have renewed my TV licence last month, but I forgot.
You shouldn't have spent so much time on that first question.
Ought to
Ought to usually has the same meaning as should, particularly in affirmative statements in the present:
You should/ought to get your hair cut.
Exercises from
Complete the sentences using the words listed below
can could have to must might should
Principio del formulario
1. Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He ______be exhausted after such a long flight. He ______prefer to stay in tonight and get some rest.
2. If you want to get a better feeling for how the city is laid out, you ______walk downtown and explore the waterfront.
3. Hiking the trail to the peak ______be dangerous if you are not well prepared for dramatic weather changes. You ______research the route a little more before you attempt the ascent.
4. When you have a small child in the house, you ______leave small objects lying around. Such objects ______be swallowed, causing serious injury or even death.
5. Dave: ______you hold your breath for more than a minute?
Nathan: No, I can't.
6. Jenny's engagement ring is enormous! It ______have cost a fortune.
7. Please make sure to water my plants while I am gone. If they don't get enough water, they ______die.
8. I ______speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we lived in Egypt. But after we moved back to Canada, I had very little exposure to the language and forgot almost everything I knew as a child. Now,I ______just say a few things in the language.
9. The book is optional. My professor said we ______read it if we needed extra credit. But we ______read it if we don't want to.
10. Leo: Where is the spatula? It ______be in this drawer but it's not here.
Nancy: I just did a load of dishes last night and they're still in the dish washer. It ______be in there. That's the only other place it ______be.
11. You ______take your umbrella along with you today. The weatherman on the news said there's a storm north of here and it ______rain later on this afternoon.
12. ______we pull over at the next rest stop? I really ______use the bathroom and I don't know if I ______hold it until we get to Chicago.
13. Oh no! Frank's wallet is lying on the coffee table. He ______have left it here last night.
14. Ned: ______I borrow your lighter for a minute?
Stephen: Sure, no problem. Actually, you ______keep it if you want to. I've given up smoking.
15.I ______believe she said that to Megan! She ______insult her cooking in front of everyone at the party last night. She ______have just said she was full or had some salad if she didn't like the meal.
16. Do you ______chew with your mouth open like that? Geez, it's making me sick watching you eat that piece of pizza.
17. Mrs. Scarlett's body was found in the lounge just moments ago, and it's still warm! Nobody has left the mansion this evening, so the killer ______be someone in this room. It ______be any one of us!!!
18. Ted: I don't know why Denise starting crying when I mentioned the wedding.
Pamela:It ______have been what you said about her brother. Or, perhaps she is just nervous. After all, the big day is tomorrow.
19. ______you always say the first thing that pops into your head? ______you think once in awhile before you speak?
20. I was reading the book last night before I went to bed. I never took it out of this room. It ______be lying around here somewhere. Where ______it be? be swallowed, causing serious injury or even death.
KEY
can could have to must might should
Principio del formulario
1. Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He __must______be exhausted after such a long flight. He __might______prefer to stay in tonight and get some rest.
2. If you want to get a better feeling for how the city is laid out, you __should______walk downtown and explore the waterfront.
3. Hiking the trail to the peak __could______be dangerous if you are not well prepared for dramatic weather changes. You _must______research the route a little more before you attempt the ascent.
4. When you have a small child in the house, you ____mustn’t______leave small objects lying around. Such objects ____might______be swallowed, causing serious injury or even death.
5. Dave: __Can______you hold your breath for more than a minute?
Nathan: No, I can't.
6. Jenny's engagement ring is enormous! It ____must______have cost a fortune.
7. Please make sure to water my plants while I am gone. If they don't get enough water, they ______die.
8. I ___could______speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we lived in Egypt. But after we moved back to Canada, I had very little exposure to the language and forgot almost everything I knew as a child. Now, I __can______just say a few things in the language.
9. The book is optional. My professor said we ___could______read it if we needed extra credit. But we ____don’t have to______read it if we don't want to.
10. Leo: Where is the spatula? It ____should______be in this drawer but it's not here.
Nancy: I just did a load of dishes last night and they're still in the dish washer. It ____must______be in there. That's the only other place it ___could______be.
11. You __should______take your umbrella along with you today. The weatherman on the news said there's a storm north of here and it ___might______rain later on this afternoon.
12. __Can______we pull over at the next rest stop? I really ___must______use the bathroom and I don't know if I _can______hold it until we get to Chicago.
13. Oh no! Frank's wallet is lying on the coffee table. He ____must______have left it here last night.
14. Ned: __Can______I borrow your lighter for a minute?
Stephen: Sure, no problem. Actually, you ___can______keep it if you want to. I've given up smoking.
15. I ___can’t______believe she said that to Megan! She __didn’t have to______insult her cooking in front of everyone at the party last night. She __should______have just said she was full or had some salad if she didn't like the meal.
16. Do you ___have to______chew with your mouth open like that? Geez, it's making me sick watching you eat that piece of pizza.
17. Mrs. Scarlett's body was found in the lounge just moments ago, and it's still warm! Nobody has left the mansion this evening, so the killer ____must______be someone in this room. It ___could______be any one of us!!!
18. Ted: I don't know why Denise starting crying when I mentioned the wedding.
Pamela: It ___could______have been what you said about her brother. Or, perhaps she is just nervous. After all, the big day is tomorrow.
19. __Must______you always say the first thing that pops into your head? ___Can’t______you think once in awhile before you speak?
20. I was reading the book last night before I went to bed. I never took it out of this room. It __must______be lying around here somewhere. Where ______can______it be? be swallowed, causing serious injury or even death.
Try a Final Quizz on Modalsat
EXERCISES for MODAL VERBS from
1. Change the following affirmative statements into questions. For example:
I may go.
May I go?
We could have found it.
Could we have found it?
1. I must leave at four o'clock.
2. He might be leaving for work now.
3. We can solve the puzzle.
4. You should have called him.
5. They could have been waiting for the bus.
6. I shall go out now.
7. You will have finished the book.
8. We should be making the arrangements.
9. She would like to know the answer.
10. They can explain what happened.
2. Change the following affirmative statements into negative statements. For example:
I can answer the question.
I cannot answer the question.
He shall be sorry.
He shall not be sorry.
1. You must come with us.
2. It may be sunny tomorrow.
3. She could have won the race.
4. We might be right.
5. You would have liked that movie.
6. They can swim very well.
7. She might be finishing school now.
8. He should have been walking to work.
9. I shall be happy to see him.
10. You will have been working all night.
3. Change the following affirmative statements into negative questions. Do not use contractions in this exercise. For example:
He must be at work now.
Must he not be at work now?
They might call us later.
Might they not call us later?
1. You should be wearing a warm hat.
2. He could have decided to stay at home.
3. They might have forgotten the message.
4. She will see you again next week.
5. They would enjoy riding on the ferry.
6. He may decide to go camping.
7. They could have been playing football yesterday.
8. We shall visit our friends.
9. She must have wanted to join us.
10. He should be getting more sleep.
4. For each of the following sentences, change the verb in the main clause from the Simple Present to the Simple Past; and change the modal auxiliary from the present to the past. For example:
He says he can do it.
He said he could do it.
Do you think she will manage it?
Did you think she would manage it?
1. She says he may go.
2. I think we can finish on time.
3. They know we will help them.
4. He says he must leave.
5. We believe she will be there.
6. Do you hope they will reply soon?
7. Does he not realize we may meet him there?
8. You think we can reach our destination by nightfall.
9. I suppose he must be at home.
10. I predict I shall succeed.
5. For each of the following sentences, change the verb in the main clause from the Simple Past to the Simple Present; and change the modal auxiliary from the past to the present. For example:
They felt they could not win.
They feel they cannot win.
He believed he would reach the Amazon River in a few days.
He believes he will reach the Amazon River in a few days.
1. He thought he might arrive early.
2. She felt she must make a phone call.
3. I maintained they would not have any difficulty.
4. They realized they could not do all the work in one day.
5. We knew we should not be able to return home for Christmas.
6. They hoped they could find their way.
7. He imagined he would be able to convince us.
8. She suspected they must be living nearby.
9. I hoped you would enjoy the play.
10. We thought you might know him.
6. Complete the following sentences, using the indicated verbs in the Simple conjugation with the auxiliary could. For example:
I wish I ______Portuguese. (to speak)
I wish I could speak Portuguese.
They will wish they ______the questions. (to answer)
They will wish they could answer the questions.
You wished you ______some chocolate. (to buy)
You wished you could buy some chocolate.
1. He wishes he ______them. (to call)
2. We wish we ______more time sightseeing. (to spend)
3. She wished she ______you. (to visit)
4. They will wish they ______to the concert. (to go)
5. I wished I ______my way home. (to find)
6. He wishes he ______famous. (to become)
7. I wish I ______it to you. (to describe)
7. Complete the following sentences, using the indicated verbs in the Simple conjugation with the auxiliary could. For example:
If he wanted to, he ______how to sail a boat. (to learn)
If he wanted to, he could learn how to sail a boat.