MODAL VERBS

Different moods and different ways to express them

ABILITY POSSIBILITY PERMISSION OBLIGATION EXPECTABILITY PROBABILITY

Verbs Adjectives

Modal Verbs

Present, past and futute

I am You /we /they are He /she /it is There is There are

I / he / she / it was You /we /they were

There was There were

I You /we /they He /she /it There will be I You He We They

will be

I You I /you /we /they write He He / she / it writes We They

wrote

will write

lived

Structure of Modal Verbs

I You

He
She

It
We They

Modal Verb (can /should, etc.)

Infinitive (without TO)

CAN is used to indicate the possession of an ABILITY.

e.g. He can speak German fluently (= Hes able to speak German fluently)

I Rewrite the sentences. Use CAN for ability.

1. Hes able to drive a car. He can drive a car. 2. My daughter is capable of playing the piano beautifully. My daughter can play the piano beautifully Shes an excellent secretary. She has the ability to type 80 words a minute. She can type 80 words a minute.

3.

4.

Most adults are unable to use a computer. Most adults cant use a computer. A recent investigation shows that 65% of high school students dont know how to use a calculator. ... 65% of high school students cant use a calculator. Only 2% of Chileans are able to speak English fluently. Only 2% of Chileans can speak English fluently.

5.

6.

Different ways to express ability

Can Be able to Be capable of (ING) Have the ability to Know how to

CAN / MAY are used to indicate a present or future POSSIBILITY

e.g. The solution may / can be found at the back of the book (= Its possible to find the solution at the back of the book)

II Rewrite the sentences. Use MAY or CAN for possibility.

1. Due to the repairs, trains are possibly subject to delays. Due to the repairs, trains may be subject to delays. 2. Its possible that we face an energy crisis this winter. We may face an energy crisis this winter. Maybe well change rooms for the next test since the room is very small. We may change rooms for the next test since the room ...

3.

4.

Perhaps agronomists will have to test the soil because theyve found traces of pollutants. Agronomists may have to test the soil because ...

5.

Lets not wait any longer. Its possible that he wont come today. He may not come today.
Its possible that ships wont dock in the harbor because of the rain. Ships may not dock in the harbor because of the rain.

6.

CAN / MAY are also used to give PERMISSION.

e.g. You can / may speak to the patient just a few minutes. (=Youre allowed to speak to the patient just a few minutes)

III Rewrite the sentences. Use MAY or CAN for permission.

1. He has permission to play after doing his homework. He may play after doing hid homework Youre allowed to miss classes if you get 85% on the first test. You may miss classes if you get 85% on the first test. Do I have permission to smoke? May I smoke?

2.

3.

4.

Youre allowed to call me by my nickname. You may call me by my nickname. I gave her permission to leave the class earlier since she has stomach cramps. She may leave the class earlier since she has ...

5.

SHOULD is often used to indicate what is regarded as PROBABLE or reasonably EXPECTED

e.g. The introduction of new machinery should contribute greatly to better results. (=Its expected that the introduction of new machinery will contribute greatly)

IV Rewrite the sentences. Use SHOULD for what is probable or expected.

1. They expect the meeting to be finishing right now. The meeting should be finishing right now. 2. The Conservatives are expected to win the next election. The Conservatives should win the next election. We dont expect that it will take long to get there.

3.

It shouldnt take (us) long to get there.

4.

It probably wont be difficult to pass the test. It shouldnt be difficult to pass the test. The new regulation probably wont affect the old students. The new regulation shouldnt affect the old students.

5.

MUST is often used to indicate OBLIGATION.

e.g.

You must obtain a visa to travel to USA. (=Its compulsory that you obtain a visa to travel to USA.)

V Rewrite the sentences. Use MUST for obligation.

1. Theres no gravity in space. Astronauts have to take showers inside big plastic bags. 2. Astronauts are also obliged to drink through tubes. 3. Its compulsory that students write the test in ink. 4. I feel obliged to visit them again. 5. Its obligatory that he works at the weekend. 6. Shes to answer all the questions before the jury. 7. Hes forced to make a choice.

V Rewrite the sentences. Use MUST for obligation.

1. Theres no gravity in space. Astronauts have to take showers inside big plastic bags. Astronauts must take showers inside plastic bags.

2.

Astronauts are also obliged to drink through tubes. Astronauts must also drink through tubes.
Its compulsory that students write the test in ink. Students must write the test in ink.

3.

4.

I feel obliged to visit them again. I must visit them again. Its obligatory that he works at the weekend. He must work at the weekend. Shes to answer all the questions before the jury. She must answer all the questions before the jury. Hes forced to make a choice. He must make a choice.

5.

6.

7.

VI These sentences are wrong. Correct the mistakes.

1. He can playing tennis very well. He can play tennis very well. 2. We must to hurry or well be late. We must hurry or well be late. At the meeting tomorrow he may mentioned the problem.

3.

At the meeting tomorrow he may mention the problem.

4.

Hes been here for hours. He must been tired. Hes been here for hours. He must be tired.

5.

She should knows the answer.

She should know the answer.

Translate these sentences into English. Use a Modal Verb.

1. Debido a la lluvia, es posible que no venga a clases maana. 2. Es obligacin que los alumnos asistan a la reunin. 3. Se espera que ellos ganen el partido. 4. Nadie tiene permiso para irse antes. 5. Todos tienen que pagar para entrar. 6. Sabes nadar? 7. A lo mejor estn en la biblioteca. 8. Nadie es capaz de reparar esta mquina.