4​TH​ ESO MODAL VERBS REVISION.

Modals of Ability: Can, Could, Be able to, May, Might

Introduction
These five verbs are examples of ​modal verbs​.
∙ can
∙ could
∙ be able to
∙ may
∙ might
Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ​ability​, ​permission​, ​possibility​, and
necessity​. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form
of a verb. For example,
Alan ​can​ swim well.
This shows that Alan has the ability to swim.
1. Modals for Ability
Let’s start with expressing ​ability​! We use ​can, be able to ​and​ could​ to show that someone has (or
doesn’t have) an ability to do something.
Look at these examples:

Present/Future Ability Negative Past Ability Negative

Alan can swim well. Jackie cannot play Paul could speak Chinese Mary couldn’t finish her
piano. when he was a child. homework last night.

I can meet you after We can’t visit Last night, there were no You couldn’t find the
school. Vancouver this clouds in the sky and they website this morning,
weekend. could see all the stars. could you?

I am able to speak two I am not able to When I was a young child, I I wasn’t able to finish
languages. speak Arabic. wasn’t able to tie my shoes. my test yesterday.

Brenda is able to run Stacey isn’t able to Shaun was able to complete Paula wasn’t able to
quickly. finish a marathon. the assignment. pass the class.

You are able to We aren’t able to They were able to catch six You weren’t able to
program a computer. make a reservation fish on their trip. understand the answer,
tonight. were you?

Did you notice that the ​verbs after​ “can/could/be able to” are always in the ​simple form? ​For example:
Alan can swim well. (subject + auxiliary verb + simple verb + ...)
Do NOT change the modal auxiliary OR the main verb for ​he/she/it​ subjects. In addition, ​do not add
“ing” or “ed”.
Alan can swims well. Wrong!
Alan can to swim well. Wrong!
Alan can swimming well. Wrong!
Alan could swam well. Wrong!
How can we make questions about ability? It’s easy!
Modal auxiliary + subject + main verb + ... ?
 Can​ she play guitar?
Could​ you speak English when you were a child?
BE + subject + able to + main verb + ... ?
Are ​you​ able to​ understand the homework?
Were ​you​ able to​ finish the test?
Was ​he​ able to​ pass the exam?
Notice that we ​do not need​ the verbs “do/does/did” when we make questions!
The modal verb “be able to” includes the word “to”; the “to” is not an infinitive.
2. Modals for Possibility
Let’s learn about expressing ​possibility​ now.
The verbs ​may,​ ​might​ and ​could ​show possibility now and in the future. In this case, they have the same
meaning.
Look at this conversation:
A: My mother said that it ​may snow​ tomorrow.
B: Really? It ​might snow​?! That’s great! I ​could make​ a snowman or go for a “snow” walk.
A: Don’t get too excited. If the temperature is high, it ​may not snow​. It ​may rain.
B: Well, I guess I ​could​ still ​go​ for a walk in the rain.
Be careful with ​may + “be”​ and ​“maybe”​. Compare these sentences. Both are correct.
Ann is not here today. She ​may be​ sick. “may be” is a modal.
Ann is not here today. ​Maybe​ she is sick. “Maybe” is an adverb.
3. Modals for Permission
Finally, let’s look at ways to ask for and give ​permission​. We use ​may, could ​and ​can​ to do this.

Formality Example

most formal/polite May​ I go to the washroom?

*only used with “I” and “we”

medium formal Could​ I borrow your dictionary?

Could​ he pay you tomorrow?

casual Can​ I call you back later?

Can​ she have a cookie?

Now, look at the ​(main) verbs​ that come after the subject. They are always in the ​simple form​, just as
with other modal verbs.
Again, the most polite/formal way to ​answer these questions​ is with “may.”
Examples:

May​ I go to the washroom? Yes, you ​may​ (go to the washroom). No, you may not.
Yes, you can. No, you cannot.

Can​ she have a cookie? Yes, she ​can. No, she can’t.

Notice that we ​do not​ “contract” may + not = mayn’t. Wrong!

Can’t​ and ​couldn’t​ are common contractions, however.

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.
1. ____________ I borrow your dictionary?
 A. ? Am I able to
B. ? May
C. ? Might
2. ____________ you play the piano when you were a child?
A. ? Can
B. ? May
C. ? Could
3. When Vera was young, she ____________ type quickly. She took a typing class and now she
____________ type very quickly!
A. ? could not / can
B. ? can / could
C. ? could not / can to
4. ____________ dogs fly? No, of course not!
A. ? Do can
B. ? Can
C. ? May
5. George is absent from class today. He ____________ be sick.
A. ? could
B. ? is able to
C. ? can
6. She ____________ understand Korean very well, but she ____________ speak it perfectly.
A. ? be able to / cannot
B. ? is able to / is able to
C. ? is able to / cannot
7. Peter ____________ swim when he was a child, but now he ____________. In fact, he swims
every day!
A. ? could / can't
B. ? couldn't / can
C. ? couldn't / can't
8. My cat ____________ jump, but it ____________ talk.
A. ? can / can't
B. ? can't / can
9. The little girl asked, "Mommy, ____________ I have a cookie?" The mother said, "Yes, you
____________."
A. ? can / are able to
B. ? can / can
C. ? may / might
10. Sara ____________ Italian food and she ____________ French food too!
A. ? can cook / is able to cook
B. ? can cooks / can cooks
C. ? can cooking / can cooking
11. The family can't decide where to go on vacation. They ____________ go to Los Angeles or
they ____________ go to Hawaii.
A. ? could / couldn't
B. ? might / may
C. ? may / are able to
12. Kevin was disappointed because he ____________ get tickets for the football game.
A. ? weren't able to
B. ? wasn't able to
13. I'm going to bring an umbrella today because it ____________ rain.
A. ? is able to
B. ? can
C. ? might

Modals of Ability 2 - Can, Could, Be able to, May, Might

Use the best modal to complete each sentence; use a negative form when necessary.
 14. Type all of your answers in the spaces and then and click on "Check answers". If you need help,
click "Show a letter".
15. Principio del formulario
16.

1. I borrow your pencil? Thanks!

2. James and Sara were so sad because they go to their brother's wedding. They were too sick.

3. The students understand the instructions for the test yesterday, so many of them failed.

4. A: We have a big problem. What we do? B: I don't know. Maybe we ask our boss for help.

5. When Tina was a child, she speak three languages: French, Arabic and English. She rarely

practiced French, so she speak it anymore.

6. I'm sorry. I hear you. Please speak more loudly.

7. My little brother play piano and guitar.

8. Excuse me. I ask you a question?

9. A:What are you going to do on the weekend? B: I'm not sure yet. We go to a movie or we

stay home and relax.

10. I go to school tomorrow because I'm feeling sick right now. I'm not sure.

17.
Final del formulario
Modals of Advice: Should, Ought to, Had better
Introduction
These three verbs are ​modal verbs​.
∙ should
∙ ought to
∙ had better
Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ​ability​, ​advice​, and ​obligation​. Many
modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. For
example:
Amanda should go to the doctor.
This shows that we think it is a good idea for Amanda to visit the doctor.
Modals for Advice
Let's learn how to give ​advice​!
English speakers use the modal verbs ​“should,” “ought to” and “had better” ​to express that they think
something is a good (or a bad) idea. ​“Should” is the most common way to give advice.
Look at these examples:

Affirmative Negative Question

 A: I failed my test. Young children ​shouldn't watch​ violent I have a problem. ​Should ​I
B: Really? You ​should study TV shows. call​ my parents or my friend?
harder.

A: It's really cold outside. (“ought to” is not usually used in the (“ought to” is not common in
B: You ​ought to wear ​a warm negative form) question form)
jacket.

A: You ​had better slow down​. You ​had better not forget​ to pay your (“had better” is not usually
You are driving too fast! tuition. If you do, the university will used in question form)
kick you out!

These examples have the same basic advice message, but ​“had better”​ is a bit stronger. It includes the
idea of a warning: something bad will happen if you do not follow my advice. For example:
You ​had better​ not forget to pay your tuition. If you forget, the university will kick you out
You ​had better​ do your homework. If you do not do your homework, the teacher will give you a low
mark.
Note​: “You had better...” can be contracted to become “You'd better....” This is correct grammar, and
very common in speaking. Some native speakers say, “You better ...,” but this is incorrect. The “had” is
necessary in good grammar.
In the above examples, you can see that the modals are followed by the simple form of a verb in these
patterns.
Subject + modal + basic verb + ...​ You should study harder.
You should ​to​ study harder. ​Wrong!
You had better slow​ing d​ own. ​Wrong!
She ought to ​to​ drink more water. ​Wrong!
Remember that “ought to” is a modal verb and is followed by a simple verb. The “to” is not an infinitive
“to.”
Modal + subject + basic verb + ...??​ Should I call my parents or my friend?
WH- (information) questions can also be formed by putting the WH- question word immediately before
the modal.
For example:
What should I do​ about my problem?
Where should we have ​dinner tonight?
Why should you believe​ them?
When should they call​ their boss?

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.
1. A: I'm so hot.
B: You _________________ your coat!
A. ? should to take off
B. ? should take off
C. ? should put on
2. I'm going to visit your country. Where _______________ if I want to go shopping?
A. ? should I go
B. ? ought to I go
C. ? I should go
3. My mother isn't feeling well, so I told her that she _______________ to the doctor.
A. ? ought go
B. ? ought to go
 C. ? ought
4. A: I think that the grade my teacher gave me on my test is wrong.
B: Really? You ______________ to her after class today.
A. ? ought to talk
B. ? should to talk
C. ? ought talk
5. It's raining and I don't want to get my dress wet. I _________________ an umbrella.
A. ? had better bring
B. ? had better to bring
C. ? had better not bring
6. The airline only allows two pieces of luggage. You _________________ pack too much or
you will have to take it out at the airport!
A. ? had not better
B. ? better not
C. ? had better not
7. Dave loves chocolate, but he _________________ too much or he will get fat.
A. ? shouldn't eat
B. ? should eat not
C. ? should eat
8. I need help, doctor. My baby doesn't sleep well. What ________________ ?
A. ? should I do
B. ? had I better do
C. ? I should do
9. Modals of Advice 2 - Should, Ought to, Had better
10. Type in the best modal to complete each sentence.
11. Type all of your answers in the spaces and then and click on "Check answers". If you need help,
click "Show a letter".
12. 1. My teacher told me that I review my notes every day. I guess it's a good idea to look at

them after class.

2. Do you think Carol save her money or spend it? She is planning to go to Europe this

summer.

3. I'm going to a party tonight. What I wear: a dress or black pants?

4. Our car's gas tank is almost empty. We fill it up with gas soon or we will run out of gas!

5. If you are worried about getting fat, you eat at McDonald's every day. You eat healthy,

low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables.

6. It's really raining outside right now. I forget my umbrella or I'll get wet!

7. Where we have lunch today: at home or in a restaurant?

8. My doctor feels that I exercise more because I'm out of shape and want to lose weight. I

think he's right.

Modals of Polite Request: Would you, Could you, Will you, Can you
Introduction
These four questions are made with ​modal verbs​:
∙ Would you... ?
 ∙ Could you... ?
∙ Will you... ?
∙ Can you... ?
Modal verbs are helping/auxiliary verbs that express ideas like ​ability​, ​permission​, and ​asking for
assistance​. Many modal verbs have more than one meaning. They are always followed by the simple
form of a verb.
For example:
Could you​ help me for a minute, please?
This shows that the speaker is asking for help politely.
To ask questions in a ​very​ polite way, use: ​Would you/ Could you​ (please) + simple verb + ...?
For example:
Would you please email that document to me? I need it ASAP*.
Could you explain that again, please? I didn’t understand.
*ASAP = ​a​s ​s​oon ​a​s ​p​ossible
To ask questions in a ​polite but more casual way​, say: ​Will you/ Can you​ (please) + simple verb + ...?
For example:
Will you please answer the phone? I’m working.
Can you hold my books for me? My hands are full.
We ​do not use the word “may”​ in a polite question when “you” is the subject.
For example:
May you please close the door? ​Wrong!
Could you please close the door? ​Right!
The word “please” makes the request more polite and less direct. Canadians use “please” often and
visitors are expected to ask for help politely, using “please.”
Possible positive answers​ to the questions above:

Yes. Yes certainly. Yes, of course. I’d be happy to.

Certainly. Of course. I’d be glad to.
My pleasure.

Informally​, we can say:

Sure.
Okay.
Uh-huh. (means yes)
To answer ​negatively​, we say:
No.
Sorry.
No, I’m sorry. I can’t.
Sorry, I can’t. I’m busy right now.
I’d like to, but I can’t.
I’d love to, but I’m busy right now.

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercise.
1. Teacher: Marco, ______________ erase the blackboard for me?
Marco: _________________, teacher.
A. ? you will / Yes, certainly
B. ? Would you please / Yes, of course
 C. ? you can / Of course
2. Charlotte, ______________ send me the document by email?
A. ? You could
B. ? Would please you
C. ? Would you please
3. Student: _________________ help me with my homework, please?
Teacher: Of course!
A. ? Could you please
B. ? May you
C. ? Could you
4. Sandy, ________________ photocopy these letters right away?
A. ? do you can
B. ? can you
C. ? may you
5. Teacher, ______________ explain this grammar to me again, please?
A. ? you may
B. ? you will
C. ? could you
6. A: _________ you show me how to use this computer software?
B: _________________. How can I help?
A. ? Could / I would happy to
B. ? Can / I'd be glad to
C. ? Can / I be glad to