MODAL VERBSMODAL VERBS

Using the Using the modal verbsmodal verbs we may, for example, ask for we may, for example, ask for permissionpermission to do something, grant permission to to do something, grant permission to someone, give or receive someone, give or receive adviceadvice, make or respond to , make or respond to requestsrequests and and offersoffers, give , give instructionsinstructions or or ordersorders, , express express dutyduty or or obligationobligation etc. etc. Modal verbsModal verbs can be used to express different levels of can be used to express different levels of politenesspoliteness..We can also use them to express different degrees of We can also use them to express different degrees of probabilityprobability. .

Modal verbs have two major functions which can be defined as primary (dictionary meaning) and secondary (probability).

Primary functionsPrimary functions of of modal verbsmodal verbs

Ability Ability PermissionPermission Prohibition Prohibition PredictionPrediction Duty Duty ((escapable obligationescapable obligation))

Obligation Obligation ((inescapable)inescapable)

Request; OfferRequest; Offer Possibility Possibility AbsencAbsence e of obligationof obligation

CANCAN MAYMAY (might(might))/ CAN / CAN (could)(could)

MUSTN’TMUSTN’T / CANNOT / CANNOT WILL / SHALLWILL / SHALL / MAY / MAY SHOULDSHOULD MUSTMUST CAN / WILL CAN / WILL CAN / CANNOTCAN / CANNOT NEEDN’TNEEDN’T

Secondary functions of modal verbsSecondary functions of modal verbs

In their secondary function, the modal verbs (except shall) can be used In their secondary function, the modal verbs (except shall) can be used to express the degree of certainty/uncertainty or probability. to express the degree of certainty/uncertainty or probability.

ALMOST CERTAINALMOST CERTAIN

VERY UNCERTAINVERY UNCERTAIN

MUSTMUST WILLWILL WOULDWOULD OUGHT TOOUGHT TO SHOULDSHOULD CANCAN COULDCOULD MAYMAY MIGHTMIGHT

Some important grammar aspectsSome important grammar aspects

The The negativenegative is formed by the addition of is formed by the addition of notnot after the after the modal.modal.

In informal spoken English In informal spoken English notnot is often reduced to is often reduced to n’tn’t. . Modals in Modals in affirmativeaffirmative do not have contracted forms do not have contracted forms

(except for (except for willwill and and wouldwould: I’ll, I’d).: I’ll, I’d). In In questionsquestions, the modal verbs behave like the auxiliar , the modal verbs behave like the auxiliar

verbs: verbs: do, havedo, have or or bebe. . Only one modal verb can be used in a single verb phrase.Only one modal verb can be used in a single verb phrase. TensesTenses: all modals can refer to the immediate present or : all modals can refer to the immediate present or

the future, therefore ‘present’ is not always a reliable label the future, therefore ‘present’ is not always a reliable label ( I can call him today / I can call him tomorrow). ( I can call him today / I can call him tomorrow).

There is There is no progressive formno progressive form for modals. But we can put the for modals. But we can put the verb that follows the modal into the progressive form. verb that follows the modal into the progressive form.

Verbs that share some characteristics with the modalsVerbs that share some characteristics with the modals: : be able/ have to / ought to / need be able/ have to / ought to / need

Check out these examples and analyse Check out these examples and analyse them.them.

I can lift 25 kg. She can speak French. I can lift 25 kg. She can speak French. I couldn’t finish the job.I couldn’t finish the job. You can go now.You can go now. It can be quite cold in winter. It can be quite cold in winter. He can’t be at home. He could have left last night.He can’t be at home. He could have left last night. May I borrow your umbrella, please?May I borrow your umbrella, please? You must do it. I had to do it. I’ll have to do it.You must do it. I had to do it. I’ll have to do it. We mustn’t forget our passports.We mustn’t forget our passports. You must have seen him.You must have seen him. It must be Anna calling.It must be Anna calling. You needn’t wait for me.You needn’t wait for me. The exam can’t have been difficult if he passed without studying.The exam can’t have been difficult if he passed without studying. She should be at home by now.She should be at home by now. Shall I open the window?Shall I open the window?

Past tense of modalsPast tense of modals When the sentence refers to the primary meaningWhen the sentence refers to the primary meaning

((can: ability/permission, must: obligationcan: ability/permission, must: obligation) ) the past form the past form is expressed mainly by : is expressed mainly by :

Can: could / was(were) able or was(were) allowedCan: could / was(were) able or was(were) allowed Must: had to / was(were) obliged toMust: had to / was(were) obliged to

When the sentence refers to the secondary meaning When the sentence refers to the secondary meaning ((can: possibility/probability (or sth that could have can: possibility/probability (or sth that could have happened but didn’t happen), must: certaintyhappened but didn’t happen), must: certainty) the past ) the past form is mainly expressed by:form is mainly expressed by:

Can: could + have + past participleCan: could + have + past participle Must: must + have + past participleMust: must + have + past participle