MODAL VERBS

WHAT ARE MODAL VERBS?

• Modal verbs help “modify”the main verb and changes

its meaning

• Modal verbs express

necessity e.g. You must drink this bottle of coke

or possibility e.g. He could go to football practice

MODAL VERBS GO BEFORE

OTHER VERBSModal verbs

can

could

would

will

shall

must

should

might

mayOther verbs

do

learn

cook

practise

swim

come

drink

see

obey

+

SOME EXAMPLES

You could try to cook fried chicken.

She really must go to the optician.

Will she come by car tomorrow?

WE USE MODAL VERBS TO

SHOW:

1. Whether someone is able to do something:

Katy can speak English fluently.

2. How likely something is:

Peter is eating three plates of chips. He must be very hungry.

I may come home late today.

3. Advice

They should pick up all the rubbish.

4. Permission

May I come to your wedding?

You can go to the cinema with your brother.

5. Obligation

They must finish the project by Tuesday.

6. Habits:

Boys will always like football.

FIND THE MODAL VERBS

AND WRITE THEM DOWN“Can I have another burger?”

“You should really eat some salad with it.”

“I usually just eat burgers.”

“You must be putting on a lot of weight.”

“No, I can eat whatever I want

and it makes no difference.”

“Well, you will get fat if you keep on eating like that.”

YOU CAN MAKE MODAL

VERBS NEGATIVE• I must see the doctor tomorrow.

-> I must not see the doctor

tomorrow OR

I mustn’t see the doctor

tomorrow

• I c

• I could eat a whole plate of

pasta.

-> I could not eat a whole plate

of pasta OR

I couldn’t eat a whole plate of

pasta

TRY MAKING THE MODAL

VERB NEGATIVE1. You will stay in at break.

2. They could catch a cold.

3. Will you believe me?

4. Should I go to the park with my friends?

5. I must turn off the TV.

USING THE RIGHT MODAL

VERBS

1. He plays football really well. He must

practise a lot.

2. It was so dark I couldn’t see the path.

3. May I sit here?

4. I tried to eat it, but I couldn’t.

PUT THE RIGHT MODAL

VERB IN THESE

SENTENCES1. You _____ spread gossip.

2. He’s so great. He _____ even cook with his eyes closed.

3. If they keep trying, they _____ get through to the finals.

4. I’m just not sure. I _____ make my mind up.

5. Olly has ten dogs. They _____ cost a bomb to feed.

Hint: some of the modal verbs need to be negative.

MATCH THE PICTURES

WITH THE SENTENCES

1. You should put things back in the right

place.

2. Go here if you have lost something.

3. You must walk in this place.

4. These students do not have a lesson.

5. You cannot go in through here.