unit4 btx1 modalverbs_1516

1r Batxillerat. Unit 4

Modal VerbsSemi-modal Verbs

CONTENTS

1.Modals and semi-modals. Why are they special?2.Modal verbs in the past3.What do modal verbs express? Double meanings.4.Important points to remember.5.Example sentences. Exercise

• Can• Could• Must• May• Might• Should /

ought to• Needn’t

Modal Verbs. Which?

• Can• Could• Must• May• Might• Should /

ought to• Needn’t

Modal Verbs. Which?

Semi-modal Verbs. Which?

• Be able to• Have to

Modal Verbs. What makes them special?

He can speak English.

She shouldn’t smoke.

It may be his jacket but I don’t know.


He can speak English.

She shouldn’t smoke.

It may be his jacket but I don’t know.

They are auxiliary verbs that give additional meaning to the main verb.

They do not need any other aux. verbs.

They do not accept conjugation

They are followed by an infinitive without to.


Some modal verbs do not have all tenses. They use other verbs to complete the tenses.

Can is completed with be able toMust is completed with have to

Semi-modal Verbs. What makes them special?

They are called semi-modal because:

• Be able to• Have to


They are called semi-modal because:They use auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions•Do you have to go?•They don’t have to wear a uniform



There is S-V agreement in 3rd person singular•He has to study more.•She will be able to finish her exam. (to be!)




They are followed by to+Infinitive




They are followed by to+Infinitive

They can express tense•We didn’t have to wait a long time (past)•They will be able to understand her reasons (future)•He had to tell the police the truth (past)•I have never been able to remember a joke (present perfect)

• She wants to get good marks so she must study hard.

• You should visit the museum.

What about PAST situations?

Modal Verbs usually refer to the present or future...

Modal Verbs in the PAST

They are modal forms that refer to actions that happened in the past.

MODAL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

• He might not have heard Emmanuel Jal’s gongs.

• Emmanuel Jal must have had a tough time. • You’re getting very good marks, you must

have studied hard.


They are modal forms that refer to actions that happened in the past.

MODAL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE


Other forms

Ability – can / could . Compare:•I could ride my bike when I was 4 (ability)•I could have done that but I didn’t (unrealised past ability)

Obligation – have to / had to•Emmanuel Jal had to join the army

What do they express? Meaning

Some can have more than one meaning depending on the situations

What do they express?Present and Future

Past

1. Ability Can/ Can’t / be able to

Could (general ability) (podia)Could (n’t) have +pp (unrealised past ability) (hagués pogut)

2. AdviceSuggestion

Should(n’t)Ought (n’t) toMust

Should(n’t) have + ppOught (n’t) to + have +ppCould (n’t) have +pp

3. Obligation

Must (internal)Have to (external)

Had to

4. Lack of obligation

Don’t have to (no has de, no hi ha obligació)

Didn’t have to (a past activity wasn’t necessary but we don’t know if it happened)

Needn’t(informal: don’t need to)(no fa falta que)

Needn’t have + pp (a past activity happened but it wasn’t necessary)

What do they express?Present and Future Past

5. Prohibition

Mustn’t ---

6. Positive deduction

must Must have + pp

7. Negative deduction

Can’t can’t / couldn’t have + pp

8. Possibility, speculation and deduction

Could(n’t)May (not) (+)Might (not) (-)

Could (n’t) have +pp May (not) have + ppMight (not) have +pp

What do they express?Some can have more than one meaning depending on the situations

More than one meaningMust Obligation

Strong advicededuction

Can AbilityPermission

Can’t Negative abilityNegative deductionProhibition

Could PermissionPossibility, speculationAdvice

May PermissionPossibility / speculation

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

POINTS TO REMEMBER: Need as a modal verb is used mainly in negative, has no –s in the third

person singular, needs no auxiliaries. He needn’t wear a tie. Informal spoken English. He doesn’t need to wear a tie.


person singular, needs no auxiliaries. He needn’t wear a tie. Informal spoken English. He doesn’t need to wear a tie.

Must (internal obligation) Have to (rules,..) Must in the past = had to


person singular, needs no auxiliaries. He needn’t wear a tie.

The meaning of modal verbs can change when they are used in affirmative or negative.

I have to take an exam tomorrow You don’t have to take this exam.

Informal spoken English. He doesn’t need to wear a tie.


POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Don’t have to = lack of obligation (no has de) Needn’t = lack of necessity (no fa falta que) Didn’t have to (no sabem si va passar) Needn’t have + pp ( sí que va passar)

Need as a modal verb is used mainly in negative, has no –s in the third person singular, needs no auxiliaries. He needn’t wear a tie.

The meaning of modal verbs can change when they are used in affirmative or negative.

I have to take an exam tomorrow You don’t have to take this exam.

Informal spoken English. He doesn’t need to wear a tie.


Example sentences. Present and Future

1.She has to practise the violin.2.You don’t have to come today.3.You must decide now.4.She can’t sing very well.5.You shouldn’t complain all the time.6.He needn’t work in an office.7.She ought to send her songs to a producer.8.You mustn’t ride a motorbike without a helmet.9.He can’t be a professional singer. He sings really badly.10.She must be a musician. She knows a lot about music.11.The phone is ringing. It could be my sister.12.If we don’t hurry up, we might not arrive on time.13.I have to submit the application form today.14.She hasn’t been able to finish on time.15.Sergio will soon be able to play the drums.

Example sentences. Past

a.The concert must have finished late. They look tired.b.You should have left earlier.c.Mario could play the violin when he was only four.d.He can’t have practised for the audition. He was with me all day. e.She may have won the competition. She was very good.f.They might have called but I wasn’t at home.g.I shouldn’t have missed the training.

unit4 btx1 modalverbs_1516

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