Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs

must

maywill

should

can

Which of these is NOT a modal verb?

A modal verb is also known as a helping verb. It gives additional information about the main verb that follows it. Examples:

They must go out .

Must: ObligationThey go out .

Present simple

They should go out .

Should: Advice

They may go out .

May: possibilityThey can go out .

Can: permission

They will go out .

Will: Future tense

Subject

Modal verb

Main verb

Complement

I We

TheyYouHeSheIt

must

can

should

may

will

go to sleep.

drink some water.

eat some food.

do some exercise.

Use the basic form or INFINITIVE of the main verbs after the modal verbs.

Exercise 1:

1. You must (coming / come / came) back home early.

2. My mother can (cooked / cooking / cook) seafood hotpot.

3. I may (finish / finished / finishing) my homework today.

4. Should I (turning / turned / turn) off the TV?

5. My daddy will (bought / buy / buying) me a robot.

_____

_____

_____

____

____

Let’s look at the modal verbs of deduction.

Use:• Must: when I’m 100% sure that something

is possible.

• May (not) and might (not): when I’m unsure about something.

• Can’t: when I’m sure that something is not possible.

Let’s practise. Look at the pictures of some celebrities when they were young. Guess

who they are!

Use:• Must or can’t if you’re sure• May (not) or might (not) if you are unsure.

Who is it?

can’t/must/may (not)/might (not)/

He…

be…

He _______ be …

•Michael Jackson?

•Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat, Ali G)?

•David Beckham?

•or Eminem?

Who’s that?

Use modal verbs to make your deductions.

• Lady Gaga?

• Madonna?

• Scarlett Johanson?

• Eva Longoria?

• Or Britney Spears?

Who is it?

She _______ be …

• Lady Gaga?

• Madonna?

• Britney Spears?

• Sarah Jessica Parker?

Who is it?

He ________ be …

•Tom Cruise

•Jack Nicholson

•Leonardo di Caprio

•Orlando Bloom

Who is it?

She _____ be …

• Kylie Minogue

• Madonna

• Kim Cattrall

• Charlize Theron

Who is it?

He ________ be …

•Paul McCartney

•Jack Nicholson

•Leonardo di Caprio

•John Lennon

The End