Modal Auxiliaries

Present by: Hakimah SalemInstructor:

Dr.Shadia Banjar

Grammar Eng142

BE, HAVE AND DO

IN GRAMMAR, AUXILIARIES IS DIVIDED INTO

Modalsprimary

MODALSARE

can

could

may

might

must

ought toshall

should

will

would

Need not

Not have to

Have to

had to

Be able to + verb

Had better

positive negative

long form contracted form long form contracted form

can -- cannot can't

could -- could not couldn't

may -- may not --

might -- might not --

ought to -- ought not to oughtn't to

-- -- need not needn't

shall 'll shall not shan't

should 'd -- shouldn't

will 'll will not won't

Would 'd would not wouldn't

had to -- had to not had to n’t

have to -- -- --

Not have to n’t have to -- --

Be able to -- Be not able to Be n’t able to

Had better ‘d better Had not better Hadn’t better

Form

1) Do not use modals for things which happen definitely. The sun rises in the East.

2) They do not have an -s in the 3rd person singular. He can play football.

3) Questions are formed instead , do/does/did replaces a modals. Can he speak Spanish?

4) It follows a full verb in the infinitive. They must read the book.

5) There are no past forms (except could and would).

He was allowed to watch the film.

6)When you use the past participle, you tell about things which did not happen in the past.

You should have told me.

Usage

can play football .

modal auxiliary main verb

EXAMPLE

I You(singular)

He We

You(plural) They

Note The modal auxiliary are always followed by the base form

Modal Auxiliaries :which divides these verbs into their various meanings of necessity, advice, ability, expectation,

permission, possibility, etc.

Use Examples

ability to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be able to)

I can speak English.

permission to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be allowed to)

Can I go to the cinema?

request Can you wait a moment, please?

offer I can lend you my car till tomorrow.

suggestionCan we visit Grandma at the weekend?

possibility It can get very hot in Arizona.

MODALS

can

Use Examples

ability to do sth. in the past (substitute form: to be able to)

I could speak English.

permission to do sth. in the past (substitute form: to be allowed to)

I could go to the cinema.

polite question* Could I go to the cinema, please?

polite request* Could you wait a moment, please?

polite offer* I could lend you my car till tomorrow.

polite suggestion* Could we visit Grandma at the weekend?

possibility* It could get very hot in Montana.

could

Use Examples

possibility It may rain today.

permission to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be allowed to)

May I go to the cinema?

polite suggestion May I help you?

Use Examples

possibility (less possible than may)* It might rain today.

hesitant offer* Might I help you?

may

might

Use Examples

force, necessityI must go to the supermarket today.

possibility You must be tired.

advice, recommendationYou must see the new film with Brad Pitt.

Need or ObligationYou must have a driver’s license in order to drive.

Use Examples

prohibitionYou mustn't work on dad's computer.You may not work on dad's computer

must

must not/may not

Use Examples

not necessaryI needn't go to the supermarket, we're going to the restaurant tonight

Use Examples

advice You ought to drive carefully in bad weather.

obligation You ought to switch off the light when you leave the room.expectation It ought to take more than 20 minutes.

ought to

Need not

Use Examples

suggestion Shall I carry your bag?

Use Examples

adviceYou should drive carefully in bad weather.

obligationYou should switch off the light when you leave the room.

expectation The train should be in by then .

shall

should

instead of will in the 1st person

Use Examples

wish, request, demand, order (less polite than would)

Will you please shut the door?

prediction, assumption I think it will rain on Friday.

promise I will stop smoking.

spontaneous decisionCan somebody drive me to the station? - I will.

habitsShe's strange, she'll sit for hours without talking.

will

Use Examples

wish, request (more polite than will)

Would you shut the door, please?

habits in the pastSometimes he would bring me some flowers.

would

*Note: no past forms - future forms

had to

Use ExamplesNeed in the past need, or obligation.

I had to take the written test twice.

Have to

Use Examples

Need in the present need ,future need or obligation.Use have/has to or will have to.

They have to get up early. To get a license, you will have to pass a driving test.

Not have to

Use Examples

Expresses the idea that something isn’t, or will not be necessary.

You don’t have to take the English test if you don’t want to.

I didn’t have to study hard to pass.

I won’t have to study late tonight.

Be able to + verb

Use Examples

Expressing ability Ali was able to find a job.

We often use to be able to or to be allowed to instead of "can". We can only form the Past of "can" (could). To put "can" into other tenses we need the phrases to be able to or to be allowed to.

Affirmative sentences

Tense Modal Form

Simple Present I can play football.

I am able to play football.I'm able to play football.

I am allowed to play football. I'm allowed to play football.

Simple Past I could play football.I was able to play football.

I was allowed to play football.

will-futureDo not use can in the will-future.

I will be able to play football.I'll be able to play football.

I will be allowed to play football. I'll be allowed to play football.

Other possible tenses:e.g. Present Perfect: I have been able to play football.

Use Examples

Giving AdviceYou’d better hurry or you’ll be late to class.Hadn’t you better hurry?

Had better

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REFERENCES:

Interactions2 Grammar book

www.grammar.ccc.commnet.edu