4TH 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 piano. Paul could speak Chinese when he was a child. Mary couldn’t finish her homework last night. I can meet you after school. We can’t visit Vancouver this weekend. Last night, there were no clouds in the sky and they could see all the stars. You couldn’t find the website this morning, could you? I am able to speak two languages. I am not able to speak Arabic. When I was a young child, I wasn’t able to tie my shoes. I wasn’t able to finish my test yesterday. Brenda is able to run quickly. Stacey isn’t able to finish a marathon. Shaun was able to complete the assignment. Paula wasn’t able to pass the class. You are able to program a computer. We aren’t able to make a reservation They were able to catch six fish on their trip. You weren’t able to understand the tonight. answer, 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. Alan can swimming well. Alan could swam well. Wrong! Wrong! 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. Ann is not here today. Maybe she is sick. 3. Modals for Permission “may be” is a modal. “Maybe” is an adverb. 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). Yes, you can. No, you may not. 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. 2. 3. ____________ I borrow your dictionary? A. ? Am I able to B. ? May C. ? Might ____________ you play the piano when you were a child? A. ? Can B. ? May C. ? Could 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. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. could not / can to ____________ dogs fly? No, of course not! A. ? Do can B. ? Can C. ? May George is absent from class today. He ____________ be sick. A. ? could B. ? is able to C. ? can 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 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 My cat ____________ jump, but it ____________ talk. A. ? can / can't B. 9. ? ? can't / can 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. 1. Can / May I borrow your pencil? Thanks! 2. James and Sara were so sad because they COULDN’T go to their brother's wedding. They were too sick. 3. The students COULDN’T understand the instructions for the test yesterday, so many of them failed. 4. A: We have a big problem. What CAN we do? B: I don't know. Maybe we COULD/MAY/MIGHT ask our boss for help. 5. When Tina was a child, she COULD speak three languages: French, Arabic and English. She rarely practised French, so she CAN’T/CANNOT speak it anymore. 6. I'm sorry. I CAN’T hear you. Please speak more loudly. 7. My little brother CAN play piano and guitar. 8. Excuse me. CAN/MAY I ask you a question? 9. A:What are you going to do on the weekend? B: I'm not sure yet. We COULD/MAY/MIGHT go to a movie or we COULD/MAY/MIGHT stay home and relax. 10. I CAN’T/ WON’T BE ABLE TO go to school tomorrow because I'm feeling sick right now. I'm not sure. 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. 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? When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. A: I'm so hot. B: You _________________ your coat! A. ? should to take off B. ? should take off C. ? should put on 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 My mother isn't feeling well, so I told her that she _______________ to the doctor. A. ? ought go B. ? ought to go C. ? ought 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 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 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 7. 8. B. ? better not C. ? had better not Dave loves chocolate, but he _________________ too much or he will get fat. A. ? shouldn't eat B. ? should eat not C. ? should eat 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 4. Our car's gas tank is almost empty. We I wear: a dress or black pants? 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 7. Where forget my umbrella or I'll get wet! 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 = as soon as possible 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? Could you please close the door? Wrong! 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. Certainly. Informally, we can say: Yes, of course. Of course. I’d be happy to. I’d be glad to. My pleasure. 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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 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 Charlotte, ______________ send me the document by email? A. ? You could B. ? Would please you C. ? Would you please Student: _________________ help me with my homework, please? Teacher: Of course! A. ? Could you please B. ? May you C. ? Could you Sandy, ________________ photocopy these letters right away? A. ? do you can B. ? can you C. ? may you Teacher, ______________ explain this grammar to me again, please? A. ? you may B. ? you will C. ? could you 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
