Modal Verbs

Halimatus Saadiah binti Rosli

Nayli Marini binti Mazlan
Nur Aliah binti Osman
Siti Aishah Mohammad Fauzi
 Modals and Modal Phrases
(Semi-modals)
 A modal is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express : ability, possibility, permission or
obligation.

 Modal phrases are used to express the same thing as modals, but are a combination of auxiliary verbs
and the preposition to.

 The modals and modal phrases in English are :

1. Can/could/be able to

2. May/might

3. Shall/should

4. Must/have to

5. Will/would
 Can
Could
Be able to
 Can/could/be
Can/could/
able
be able to
to
Ability/Lack of Ability

Present and Future Past

 Can/can’t + base form.  Could/couldn’t + base form.

 Tom can write poetry very well.
 Am/is/are/will be + able to +
base form.
 Mike is able to solve this question.
 Am not/isn’t/aren’t/won’t be +
able to + base form.
 I won’t be able to visit you tomorrow.
 When I was a child, I could climb
trees.
 Was/were/wasn’t/weren’t + able
to + base form.
 I was able to visit her tonight.
 She wasn’t able to go to school
tomorrow.
 Hasn’t/haven’t + able to + base
form.
 He hasn’t able to get in touch with the
Possibility/Impossibility
1. Can/can’t + Base form.
You can catch the train at 10:43.

2. Could + Base form.

I could fly via London if I leave the day
before.
Ask permission/Give
permission
1. Can + subject + Base form (Formal)

 Can you lend me ten dollars?

2. Can + Base form (Informal)

 You can borrow my car.

3. Could + subject + Base form (Polite)

 Could I have your number?

 Could I talk to your supervisor please?

Make a
suggestion
1. Could + Base form (Informal)

 You could take the tour of the castle

tomorrow.
May
Might
 May / Might
01 04
Formal Permission /
Formal Prohibition To make a
suggestion (when

02 there is no better
alternative)
Polite Request

03 05
Polite Suggestion
Possibility/Negative
Possibility
 Formal permission /
Formal Prohibition

may/may not + base form of the verb

 You may start your exam now.
 You may not wear sandals to work.
Polite Request
May + subject + base form of the verb

 May I help you ?

Possibility /
Negative Possibility
1. May/might + base form of the verb

 We may go out for dinner tonight. Do you want to join

us?

 Our company might get the order if the client agrees

to the price.

2. May not/might not + base form of the verb

 Adam and Sue may not buy that house. It’s very
expensive.

 They might not buy a house at all.

 To make a suggestion (when there
is no better alternative)
• may as well/might as well + base form of the verb
-You may as well come inside. John will be home
soon.
-We might as well take Friday off. There’s no work
to be done anyway.

Polite Suggestion
• might + base form of the verb
- You might like to cry the salmon fillet. It’s our
special today.
 Shall
Should
Ought to
Shall, should, ough to
To offer of
Assistance or Polite
Suggestion (when
you are not sure of
To give advice
a positive answer)

1 2 3 4 5
To offer of
A Prediction or To give advice
Assistance or
Polite expectation that (about something
Suggestion(when something will you think wrong or
you are quite sure happen unacceptable)
of a positive
answer)
 To offer of Assistance or Polite
Suggestion(when you are quite sure
of a positive answer)
• Shall + subject + base form of the verb
-Shall we go for a walk?

To offer of Assistance or Polite

Suggestion(when you are not sure
of a positive answer)
• Should + subject + base form of the verb
-Should I call a doctor?
 A prediction or expectation that
something will happen
• Should / shouldn’t + base form of the verb
-The proposal should be finished on time.
-I shouldn’t be late.

To give advice
• Should / ought to + base form of the verb
-You should check your document before
you send it out.
-You ought to have your car serviced before
the winter.
To give advice (about something
you think wrong or unacceptable)

• Shouldn’t + base form of the verb

-James shouldn’t teach him words like
those.
 Must
Have to
Need to
Don’t have to
Needn’t
 Necessity or
Requirement
Present and Future Past NOTE :
Have to and need to
are often use in the
Must/ have to/ need to/ + base Had to/ needed to + base form of same context, but
form of the verb. the verb. many times, need to
used to express
something that is less
Example: Example: urgent, something in
 You must have a passport to  I had to work late last night. which you have a
cross the border. choice
 I needed to drink a few cups
 Elisabeth has to apply for of coffee in order to stay
her visa by March 10th. awake.

 I need to drop by his room to

pick up a book.
1. Almost 100% certain
Must + base form of the verb
• Thomas has lived in Paris
for years. His French must
be very good.
3. Prohibited or Forbidden
Must not + base form of the
verb
• You must not drive over
the speed limit.
• You mustn’t leave
medicines where children
can get to them.
2. To persuade
Must/ have to + base form of
the verb.
• You must try this wine. It’s
excellent.
• You have to visit us while
you’re in town.
4. Lack of necessity
Don’t/ doesn’t/ didn’t + have
to + base from the verb
• You don’t have to park
the car. The hotel valet
will do it for you.
• Tim doesn’t have to go to
school today. It is a
holiday.
 Will
Would
 When we are
very sure

 Polite request /
statement

 Habitual past
action
 When we are
very sure
Will / won’t + base form of the verb

 John will pick you up at 7.00 am.

 Beth won’t be happy with the result of

the exam.
 Polite request or
statement
• Will / would + base form of the verb
-Will you please take the trash out ?
-Would you mind if I sat here ?
-I’d (I would) like to sign up
for your workshop
Habitual past
action
• Would / wouldn’t + base form of the verb
-When I was a child, I would spend hours
playing with my train set.
-Peter wouldn’t eat broccoli when he was a
kid. He loves it now.
Thanks!
Do you have any questions?

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