Modals of Ability

The modal verbs of ability show just that -- ability. Ability can be expressed in the past, present, or future. It can be an ability that was used over and over again, or something that was done just once, on a special, or rare, occasion. The modal verbs of ability are can, could, and be able to. Can is used to talk about ability in the present or future. He can read well. Could is used to talk about ability in the past. He could read well when he was younger. Be able to is used to talk about a certain, or particular, ability. He was able to read when he was 4 years old. ** While could might be used in the last example, be able to emphasizes the early age at which he could read. Could have, followed by a past participle indicates an ability NOT used and often shows disapproval. He could have called me! (He didn't) Could not have followed by a past participle indicates that an ability didn't exist in the past. I couldn't have phoned you yesterday, because I lost my phone last week. Be able to is used with other modals or when forming the 'ing' or 'to' infinitive forms. You will have the satisfaction of being able to read my report. Nobody will be able to read what you have written. We use can or could with the senses verbs; see, hear, smell, etc., to say that someone is aware of something through their senses. I can smell gas downstairs. I could see a few stars in the sky last night. I couldn't hear what she said because of the noise. Can, could for ability: Can is a modal verb. It has the same form for all persons and you don't use the auxiliary do in questions and negatives. You use can to express general ability, something you are able to do on most occasions. Can is the modal veb most commonly used for present ability. I can swim a hundred meters.

Negative I can't ride a bicycle.

Questions Can you swim?

Short answers Yes, I can. No, I can't.

You can also use be able to to express general ability. It is more formal than can and is mostly used in the future or the past tense. You use could and couldn't or wasn't/ weren't able to to express past ability, or non-ability. When I was five, I could swim, but I couldn't write my own name.

You use will be able to to express future ability. After you get your diploma you will be able to find a job easily.

Modals of Advice Should and shouldn't for advice: Should is a modal verb. It has the same form for all persons and you don't use the auxiliary do in questions and negatives. You use should + the simple form of a verb to give advice. You should take some exercise on long flights. You shouldn't drive fast.

Questions Should I take some exercise? Should I drive fast?

Short answers Yes, you should. No, you shouldn't.

Should(n't) and ought(n't) to mean the same. (Ought to is a bit old fashioned). You ought to take some exercise on long flights.

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. When we talk about ability, we mean two things. First, we mean general ability. This is something that once you have learned you can do any time you want, like being able to read or swim or speak a language, for example. The other kind of ability is specific ability. This mean something that you can or can't do in one particiular situation. For example, being able to lift something heavy, or find somewhere you are looking for. Present: can / cant (for both general and specific ability) I can play the piano. She can speak English. He cant drive hes too tired. We cant come now. Past: could / couldnt (for general ability) I could read when I was four. She could speak French when she was a child, but now she has forgotten it. He couldnt dance at all until he took lessons. My grandfather couldnt swim. was able to / couldnt (for specific ability) When the computer crashed yesterday, I was able to fix it.(not I could fix it) She was able to pass the exam, even though she hadnt studied much.(not she could pass) He called us because he couldnt find the house. I couldnt open the window. could + have + past participle (an ability someone had in the past, but didnt use) I could have played the piano well but I didnt practise enough. We could have come earlier. She could have studied law, but she preferred to become a secretary. Future: will / wont be able to (general ability) At the end of the course, you will be able to make your own website. He wont be able to speak Japanese in a week! It will take months. can / can't (specific ability)

I can help you tomorrow I can't come to the party 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. B: Really? You should study harder.

Young children shouldn't watch violent TV shows.

I have a problem. Should I call my parents or my friend?

A: It's really cold outside. B: You ought to wear a warm jacket.

(ought to is not usually used in the negative form)

(ought to is not common in question form)

A: You had better slow down. You are driving too fast!

You had better not forget to pay your tuition. If you do, the university will kick you out!

(had better is not usually used in question form)

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 to study harder. You had better slowing down. She ought to to drink more water. You should study harder. Wrong! Wrong! 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?

Ex. 1: Ability Choose the most appropriate answer for expressing the ability to do the specified action. 1. Maria type 80 words per minute. (Correct)(Incorrect)

may 2. Ella

can

could

has to

speak French and German. (Correct)(Incorrect)

may

can

could

has to play the violin pretty well in half a year. (Correct)(Incorrect)

3. Tom's teacher says that he

can 4. This work

could

will be able to

will have to

done tomorrow. (Correct)(Incorrect)

can be

could be

could have been

will be able to be

5. I'm sure that Nina

explain everything when she returns. (Correct)(Incorrect)

can 6. My dog

could

will be able to

will have to

very high when he was younger. (Correct)(Incorrect)

could jump 7. One of the boys

could have jumped

might be able to jump

might have been able to jump

get out of the cave. He ran to the village for help. (Correct)(Incorrect)

could

might

was able to

had to

8. Several crimiinals

escape into the woods. (Correct)(Incorrect)

could

might

managed to

had to find him. (Correct)(Incorrect)

9. I wanted to talk to Jim yesterday, but

didn't 10. Anyone

might not

wouldn't

couldn't

make a mistake. (Correct)(Incorrect)

may

can

could

is able to

Ex. 2: Advice Choose the most appropriate answer for expressing advice. 1. It's a great town. You visit it some day. (Correct)(Incorrect)

could

might

should

had better consult a good real estate agent. (Correct)(Incorrect)

2. If she wants to buy an apartment, she

has to 3.

should

may need to

could

I ask John to help us? (Correct)(Incorrect)

Should 4. Children

Ought

Could

May

eat too much chocolate. (Correct)(Incorrect)

must not 5. You

can't

shouldn't

don't have to

come here again, or I'll report you to the police! (Correct)(Incorrect)

shouldn't 6. He

ought not

mustn't

'd better not

be punished for his terrible attitude to people. (Correct)(Incorrect)

'd better

ought to

could

would

7. I write an article on English grammar tonight, but I have a bad headache. I think I'll go for a walk instead. (Correct)(Incorrect)

have to 8. I

must

should

had better

harder for the exam. It was very difficult and I didn't pass it. (Correct)(Incorrect)

should study 9. They

had to study

should have studied

must have studied

that guy to the party. He got drunk and started a fight. (Correct)(Incorrect)

must not have invited 10. I recommend

should not have invited

could not have invited

had better not have invited

to one of the local health resorts. Change of scene and fresh air will do you good. (Correct)(Incorrect)

to go

going