Lesson 9 Modals

Lesson 9
Modals
OBJECTIVES
At the end of lesson, students shall be able to:
1. analyze the proper usage of modals expressing various meanings.
2. reflect about the different abilities they possess.
3. perform tasks in relation to job of their choice.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Might. May. The quotation simply puts it across the concept of modality, putting this
more into context, consider the songs by Bob Marley, The Clash and Mary J. Blige. What do
these three have in common?
When Bob Marley sang "Could you be loved?" he was using modal verbs.
The Clash did the same with the immortal line, "Should I stay or should I go?”
Mary J. Blige gave modals a more informal spin on her song titled,
"Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda."
Modal verbs are not just in some of our favorite songs. They are all around us which
means we have rich sources of inspiration to teach and learn them. Modal verbs are the bread and
butter of every grammar class. Students encounter them at all levels, from foundation to
proficiency. In more advanced classes, students are expected to recall all types of modal verbs
and identify what job they do. Modal verbs can signify ability, probability, advice, request.
permission, prohibition, obligation, certainty, and possibility.
What are Modals?
Modal verbs are a category of the auxiliaries: they too are 'helping' verbs. They help the
main verb to express a range of meanings: possibility, probability. certainty, permission,
requests, instructions, suggestions, offers and invitations
and necessity. This is illustrated in the following wants and wishes, obligation and necessity.
This is illustration matrix:
Modal Meaning Example

can, could, may Possibility Can you unlock this door for me?
This might come in useful.
It could have been a disastrous accident.
When may she get up?
cannot/can't, must, ought to, Probability, Ability You must be Dr. Green.
should, will He can't have told me the whole story.
We ought to arrive home by noon.
That must be the postman now
can, could, be Ability He cannot sing for toffee.
He could read and write from a very
young age.
She was able to sign her name with
difficulty.
She couldn't stop laughing.
can, could, may Permission You can use my car if you want
You may speak now, John
Can I ask a question?
can, could, will, would Instructions and Would you give John a message for me,
request please?
Would you do me a favor?
Could you explain that again for me?
I would like this work finished by
Friday.
could, may, shall, might Suggestions You could try again later.
You might like to try this new shampoo
You may as well start again. Shall we
change the subject?
can, could, shall, will, would Offers and Will you have a cup of tea?
invitations Would you like a biscuit?
I could give you a lift to the shops. Shall
we dance?
must, mustn't, have to, have Obligation and I have to go now. have to have got
got to necessity I must get to the interview in good time.
As shown in the above matrix, the modals have corresponding negative forms:
can can't /cannot could couldn't may mayn't (British English -rare) might mightn't must mustn't
shall shan't (British English - rare) should shouldn't will won't would wouldn't
Traditional grammars made a very sharp distinction between shall and will. They
recommended that shall should be used to express future time with I as subject (I shall arrive at
six)
The reverse was recommended when expressing intention 7 Will hard', but 'He shall
work hard"
In fact, these distinctions no longer apply in common use. The word shall has more
has more or less disappeared from American English, and there is evidence that it is also in
decline in British English, except perhaps in the formal contexts. Will is the preferred form in
both varieties.
The modals express two main types of meaning:

1. Human control over events, such as is involved in permission, intention, ability, or obligation:
You may leave now. (I give you permission to...)

I could speak Greek when I was young. ("I knew how to...)
You must go to bed at once. ('I require you to ...')
2. Judgement whether an event was, is, or will be likely to happen:
They may be away for the weekend. (‘It is possible that is is …’)
That could be your mother. (It is possible that it is...)
Use Modals and their Use
1. Can
Use Examples
ability to do in the present: (substitute form: I can speak English
to be able to)
permission to do in the present: ? (substitute Can I go to the cinema?
form: to be allowed to)
Request Can you wait a moment, please?
Suggestion Can we visit Grandma at the
weekend?
Possibility It can get very hot in Tuguegarao.
2. Could
Use Examples
ability to do in the present: (substitute form: I could speak English
to be able to)
permission to do in the present: ? (substitute 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 Tuguegarao.
3. May
Use Examples
Possibility It may rain today
permission to do in the present (substitute May I go to the cinema?
polite suggestion May I help you?
4. Might
Use Example
possibility (less possible than may) It might rain today.
hesitant offer Might I help you?
5. Must
Use Examples
force, necessity I must go to the supermarket today
Possibility You must be tired.
advice, recommendation You must see the new film with Brad Pitt.
6. must not/may not

Use Examples
prohibition (must is a little stronger) You mustn't work on dad’s computer.
You may not work on computer dad's
computer.
7. need not
Use Examples
not necessary I needn't go to the supermarket, we're going
to the restaurant tonight.
8. ought to (similar to should - ought to; sounds a little less subjective)

Use Examples
Advice You ought to drive carefully in bad weather.
Obligation You ought to switch off the light when you

leave the room.
9. Shall (used instead of will in the 1st person)

Use Examples
Suggestion Shall I carry your bag?
10. Should
Use Examples
Advice You should drive carefully in bad weather.
Obligation You should switch off the light when you
leave the room.
Use Examples
wish, request, demand, order (less polite than Will you please shut the door?
would)
prediction, assumption I think it will rain on Friday. Promise
Promise I will stop smoking.
spontaneous decision Can somebody drive me to the station? – I
will.
Habits She's strange, she’ll sit for hours without
talking.
11. Will
12. Would Use

Use Examples
wish, request (more polite than will) Would you shut the door, please?
habits in the past Sometimes he would bring me some
flowers.
. Note: * These are no past forms; they refer to the future.

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Lesson 9

What are Modals?

Modal Meaning Example

The modals express two main types of meaning:

You may leave now. (I give you permission to...)

2. Judgement whether an event was, is, or will be likely to happen:

Use Modals and their Use

6. must not/may not

8. ought to (similar to should - ought to; sounds a little less subjective)

Obligation You ought to switch off the light when you

9. Shall (used instead of will in the 1st person)

12. Would Use

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