Modal verbs

Hello friends,

I’m going to my uncle’s. Today they’re starting on holidays to Spain. So they asked me to look after their house. Well, here I am. … There’s a note for me. Let’s see …

Hi Max,

Thanks so much for coming to look after our house and the cats while we’re on holiday. Sorry we couldn’t wait to see you but the taxi is here now.

Just a few things to tell you –

The cats aren’t a problem. They need to eat twice a day but they mustn’t eat too much – they’re both too fat! Just give them half a can of cat food a day. Of course, you don’t have to stay here every day to feed them – you can put dry food out for them.

The men empty the rubbish bins on Thursday. They come early so the bags must be outside by about 7.00. You can leave them outside the back door. We have to recycle glass and paper, so can you put the bottles and newspapers in the kitchen cupboard?

The hot water system isn’t very good. Turn it on at least an hour before you need hot water or you won’t be able to have a shower!

There’s some chicken in the fridge. It’s a day old now, so you should eat it soon.

Finally, we’re coming back on Sunday evening, as you know, so could you get some milk for us? We won’t be able to get to the shops.

Thanks again,

Sophie and Mark

Look at the underlined words and word combinations. What do we call them in English?

Yes, they are modal verbs.

In this lesson we’ll revise:

•        what modal verbs are;

•        why they are different to normal verbs;

•        why they are important and difficult;

•        different meanings of modal verbs;

So, what are modal verbs?

Modal verbs are the verbs which add meaning to another verb.

There are nine basic modal verbs in English. They are:

There are other verbs which behave like modal verbs in some ways although they don’t have all the features of a full modal verb, for example:

How are modal verbs different to normal verbs?

They are different in several ways:

·                   Modal verbs are always followed by the infinitive (without to).

We can come to your party.

·                   Modal verbs come before the subject in questions and are followed by “not” in negations.

Can you come to my party?

I can’t come to your party.

·                   Modal verbs have only one form.

It could be the best of the seasons.

NOT It coulds be the best of the seasons.

Generally, if you use a modal, it can have either a present or a future meaning. Often, we use other words or phrases to show the time.

•        The concert might start at 12.00 this afternoon. (We understand that this is in the future only because of “this afternoon”.)

There are exceptions!

Could is used as the past simple of can, and would can have a past meaning in very few situations, but generally modals don’t have past or future forms.

You can sometimes give a modal verb a past meaning by using have+ V3 after the modal verb.

He might have overslept – We are trying to guess why he is late, and what has happened to him (in the past).

You shouldn’t have said that – You said something rude or impolite, and now I’m criticising you for what you did (in the past).

Why are modal verbs important?

You could hardly say or write anything in English without using modal verbs. Modal verbs are used to express many, many different meanings

•        Giving advice: I think you should buy a new laptop.

•        Talking about possibility: She can sing but she can’t dance.

•        Asking permission: May I take this seat?

•        Expressing certainty: He must be home now. The lights are on.

To express the ABILITY of doing something we use modal verb can and modal expression be able to and could or was/were be able to (in the past).

Students can use dictionaries at exams.

Are you able to drive a car?

Before she took lessons she could sing, but she wasn’t able to dance very well.

Another function of modal verbs is POSSIBILITY. Possibility is a ‘yes/no’ quality. Either something is possible, or it isn’t.

He can win the race. (90% certain)

They could/may/might still be at school. (50% certain.)

·                   Could have done is used to say that we had a possibility to do smth but didn’t do it.

We could have gone to the restaurant yesterday but we decided to stay at home.

·                   May/might have done

He may/might have seen to Ann yesterday. (Perhaps he saw her yesterday)

CERTAINTY is also a ‘yes/no’ quality. Either you’re certain that something is true, or you aren’t.

·                   To say you are certain about something in the future, use will or won’t:

It’ll be raining tomorrow. (= I’m sure about this)

There won’t be a lot of people there in February (= I’m certain)

·                   If you are certain about something in the present, the most common verb to use is must:

They must be very rich – their house is huge! (= I’m sure they’re rich, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to have such a big house.)

·                   If you are certain about something in the past, the most common modal to use is must have done:

She must have been exhausted after doing shopping all day. (= I’m sure she was exhausted, because anyone would be exhausted after shopping for such a long time)

Talking about PROBABILITY is nice and simple, because there’s only one modal verb you can use: should/shouldn’t:

Your delivery should arrive in the next 2-3 days (= It will probably arrive within this time, 90% certain)

You shouldn’t have to wait long (You probably won’t have to wait long)

·                   Probability is always in the future – you can’t talk about probability in the present or the past.

GIVING ADVICE or RECOMMENDATION or expressing the DUTY (совет, рекомендация, долг) we use the following modal verbs:

 You shouldn’t sit outside in the sun at midday. (general advice; I advise you)

You ought to respect the elderly people. (it’s the right thing to do)

You must see the new Avengers film. Everyone says it’s great. (strong advice)

·                   To criticize someone else’s actions or to talk about mistakes in the past use should have done.

You should have gone to the British Museum while you were in London. = It’s a pity that you didn’t go.

He shouldn’t have played computer games so much. = He played a lot, that’s why he got bad eyesight.

We use modal verbs to talk about OBLIGATIONS – things you cannot choose not to do. You have no choice.

·                   Must is used when you have a strong feeling about the obligation.

I must go on a diet. (It’s my decision. I say so.)

·                   Have to is used when the obligation depends on rules or laws.

I have to go on a diet. (the doctor says so)

·                   Mustn’t means that something is forbidden – you cannot do it.

Students mustn’t use phones  at the exam. (it’s forbidden; you can’t do it)

·                   Don’t have to means that something is not necessary. If you don’t have to do something, you can choose to do it or not.

I don’t have to finish it today (I can leave it until tomorrow if I want to)

For giving PERMISSION we normally use modal verbs can/may.

You can make a phone call here. (informal)

You may make a phone call here. (formal, probably written)

·                   When refusing permission can’t/ mustn’t/ may not are used.

I’m afraid you can’t/mustn’t see him. (informal)

You may not walk on the grass. (formal, written notice)

There are several modal verbs that help us to make a REQUEST.

to a  friend: Can I use your phone? (informal)

to a stranger: Could I use your phone? (very polite)

to a police officer: May/Might I use your phone? (formal/very formal)

·                   Asking somebody else to do smth for you:

Will/Can you help me with my project? (very friendly; informal)

Would/Could you take out the rubbish? (polite)

OFFERS and SUGGESTIONS

You look tired. I’ll do the house for you. (I’m willing to do sth for you; informal)

Shall/Can/ Could I carry this bag for you?

We can/could go for a walk tonight.

Would you like me to do anything for you?

Shall I explain it again? (asking for suggestions or instructions)

PROHIBITION

can't/ mustn't

This structures show that you are not allowed to do smth/ it is against the rules/law to do smth.

You can’t/ mustn’t walk your dog here.

You may not use your cell phone here. (formal, probably written).

As you can see, each modal verb can express many different meanings.

That`s all for today.

Join us at our grammar lessons at videouroki.net.