Modal VerbsPolite Requests and Abilities

Modals Modals are a small class of auxiliary

verbs An auxiliary verb is a verb that adds

functional or grammatical meaning to the clause in which it

Modals behave very irregularly: don’t take -s in 3rd person singular,

present many modals cannot be used in

future or past tenses He will can go with us. Not Correct

Forming past: Modal + past + past participle I might have showed you this piece of

work before. – uncertainty in the past You should have been there when I

came. – expressing regret, discontent, failed expectations

I can’t find my purse. I could have left it in the supermarket but I just don’t know. - possibility

Forming past, cont. You can’t have read the instructions

properly. They’re perfectly clear. – past ability (inability, in this case); we are sure something did not happen.

Sentence formation In statements, the word order is subject

+ modal + main verbTom and Sue might arrive later.

In questions, the word order changes to modal + subject + main verb.

Should Mike drive? Wh-questions

How could he walk?

Sentence formation: When forming negative statements, the

negative adverb not is placed between the modal verb and the main verb. They should not drive at night. When asking questions in the

negative, the modal verb and a negative adverb not are always contractions.

Shouldn’t you rest?

Use of modals Modals are used to express the

subjective attitudes and opinions of the speaker including:

necessity or obligation: must, have to, have got to

advisability: should, ought to, had better, could

ability and permission: can, could, may, might

instructions and requests: Could you, Would you

General features of modals Modal verbs are invariable: one form for

all the persons and tensesi.e. : no –s in the third person singular

Incorrect: *She musts study. Correct:She must study

General features of modals: Modals do not need the “do support” in

negative and interrogative sentences.

Incorrect:*You don’t should tell him.Correct: You shouldn’t tell him.Can you swim?

General features of modals They are followed by an infinitive

without to:

Incorrect Correct*You must to go. You must go.

*You shouldn’t eating so much You shouldn’t eat so much.

Polite Requests with “I”

May I ... ?

Could I ... ?

May I (please) borrow your pen?

Could I borrow your pen (please)?

May I and Could I are used to request permission. They are equally polite.

Polite Requests with “I”Can I is used informally to request permission, especially if the speaker is talking to someone s/he knows well. Can is less polite than May I or Could I.

Can I ... ? Can I borrow your pen?

Polite Requests with “You”The meaning of would you and will you in a polite request is the same. Would you is more common and is often considered more polite..

Would You ... ?

Will you ... ?

Would you pass the salt (please)?

Will you (please) pass the salt?

Abilities To express that someone has the power

or skill to do something, can and be able are used.

Can you…?

Are you able to…?

Can you play basketball?

Are you able to swim?

Questions About Abilities What can you do? Where did you learn how

to do it?

What can’t you do?

What do you hope you will be able to do in 10 years?

Ask your classmates a question with “can”

Can you…?

1 2

3 4

Are you able to…?

1 2

3 4

Match The Words1. Juggle2. Barbeque3. Tango4. Accordion5. Whistle6. Deck (of cards)7. To Balance

A. To hold an object in the center and keep it still.

B. An instrument with keys and buttons.

C. To keep (two or more objects) in the air at one time by alternately tossing and catching them.

D. To blow air out of your mouth in a way that makes a loud, high-pitched noise.

E. To cook food outside on a grillF. A romantic dance that is popular in

Latin America. G. A pack of 52 playing cards