MODAL VERBS

Chapter 8

1

Form and Function

Modals help the main verb. They show lots

of expression and feelings.

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3

Modal Expressions

1. To express ability

2. To express permission

3. To make request

4. To express possibility

5. To make suggestion

6. To give advice

7. To express preference

8. To express necessity

9. To forbid

10. To express ‘lack of necessity’

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1. )To Express Ability (p.184)

5

Can Could Be able to

2. )To Ask Permission (p.190)

6

May I Could I Can I

3. )To Make Requests (p.192)

7

Can Could Would

4. )To Express Possibility (p.194)

8

May Might Could

5. )To Make Suggestions (p.199)

9

Let’s Why don’t we

“why don’t you…” = giving advice

6.) To Give Advice (p.202)

10

Should Ought to Had better

7.) To Express Preference (p.204)

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Prefer…to Like…better than Would rather…

“would rather” can be contracted ~ He’d rather sing than dance.

8.) To Express Necessity (p.207)

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Have to Have got to Must

I had to leave early today.

She has got to listen to me!

Did he have to Do I have to

Danny must teach class today.

Meaning on page 209

9.) To Forbid (p.210)

Sometimes you have to say NO!

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10.) Lack of Necessity (p.210)

This is 0% obligation. It means that it is not

a requirement or duty to do.

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“don’t have to” = is the negative form of “Have to”

and “Have got to”

Negative

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Can

+ NOT

Could

Would

Should

Will

May

Might

Must

Can’t be contracted

May

+ NOT Might

Must

Can be contracted

Can + not Can’t

Could + not Couldn’t

Would + not Wouldn’t

Should + not Shouldn’t

Will + not Won’t Ought + NOT + to

Maybe or May be

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Maybe (one word) May be (two words)

1. Adverb

2. Placed before the

subject.

3. Means ‘perhaps’

1. Verb

2. Means speculation or

degree of certainty.