English Grammar I

Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs

Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
 Modal auxiliary verbs are used with a
main verb to show, mood and ideas such
as ability, possibility and permission. The
main Modal auxiliary verbs are listed in
table 9.1.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
 Table 9.1: Modals

can must may

could would should might

Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
 Can: Can is used
1) to express ability:
Ryan can speak French but he cannot
speak German.
Superman can do things that ordinary
people can’t.
2) to express request:
Can you help Sue?
Can I offer you something to drink?
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
3) to express permission:
Can I use your cell phone?
You can’t go out with Victor.
4) to express possible:
If the weather is perfect tomorrow, we can
go on a picnic.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
＊ Can is used to express a statement that is
less uncertain than will.
5) be able to: be able to is used to describe
an ability that a person will have in the
future.
My baby will be able to walk in a few
months.
I am busy but I will be able to talk to you
in ten minutes.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Could: Could is used
1) to express abilities in the past:
Jason could do 50 push-ups in five
minutes when he was young.
Jason could talk when he was four.
2) to express permission:
Could you give me permission to hang
out with my friends?
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
3) to express future possibility: it expresses
more uncertainty than may
I could get an A or B in grammar. It
depends on the final exam.
4) could with present perfect tense is used to
express something in the past may be real.
You could have been killed in that accident.
I could have won that game.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
 Would: Would is used
1) to express polite request:
Would you please take off your coat?
Would you mind turning the radio off?
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2) to express desire
I would like to have one day off.
I’d love to stay for a few more days.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
 Should: Should is used
1) to give advice and opinions
You are driving too fast; you should slow
down a little bit.
You have gained a lot of weight. You
should go on a diet.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
2) to express expectations:
Are you ready? The taxi should be here
soon.
Twenty dollars is enough. It shouldn’t
cost more than that.
3) to suggest a less strong possibility
If you should pass the bakery, can you
buy some bread?
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
4) Should with present perfect tense means
something in the past should not be done.
The baby is crying. You shouldn’t have
talked so loudly.
Mom is angry. You shouldn’t have come
back so late.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
 Must &Have to: must/have to are used to
1) express something is necessary and
essential
You must pay by cash.
You have to drive on the right in France.
2) Students have to wear uniform.
must not is used to express something is
not permitted or allowed.
You mustn’t smoke, eat and drink in the
museum.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
You must not drink and drive.
3) not have to is used to express something
that is not to be done necessarily.
We don’t have to get up early on Saturday.
She doesn’t have to live in the hotel. She
can live with us.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
 May: May is used to
1) express possibility in the present or in the
future.
It may rain.
Elizabeth may know his telephone number.
2) for permission:
May I come in?
You may come if you want.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
3) to express wish or hope.
May you a long life!
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
 Might: Might is used
1) to express possibility in the present or in
the future.
Ashley might be in the library. I am not sure.
George might come as well.
He may come.
He might come. (the chance that he comes
is less likely than may)
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
2) might with present perfect tense means
speculation about the past.
Edward is late. He might have missed his
bus or he might have overslept.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
 8.1 Difference between the modal
verbs.
1) The modals used to express future
possibility are: may, might, could and can.
Could and might express more
uncertainty than may.
I may take a vacation in Bali Island.
You could be right. I am not sure.
There are only few jobs available, so she
might not find one.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
2) The modals used to express request are:
can, could, will and would. However,
could and would are more polite.
Could you give me a raise? Yes, I can.
Can you close the window? Sure I can.
＊ Be sure to use “can” and “will” for an
affirmative short answer even if the
question starts with would and could.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
3) The modals used to express permission
are: can, could and may. May is used in
formal situation.
Where may I park my car? You can park
right in front of the store.
Could I borrow your MP3? Yes, you may.
You may not park in the handicapped
parking space.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
＊ Use may and can in short answers.
could cannot be used to give and refuse
permission.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
4) The modals used to give advice are: could,
might, should, must, have to, had better,
and ought to.
You could meet me tonight or tomorrow
morning.
You had better tell us the truth.
Your son ought to see a doctor.
You should not wear sandals and shorts to
work.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
＊ had better is stronger than should, ought
to,
could and might are used when there are
more than one choice.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
5) The modals used to express preference
are: prefer, would prefer, would rather and
would like.
I would prefer to have Japanese food for
dinner.
I would prefer to spend the night at home
rather than drive out.
I would rather go by bus.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
I would rather go out than stay home
tonight.
I would like to have some tea.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
 8.1-2 Exercise: Use an appropriate
modal verb to compete each sentence
1. Owen _______( not) do his homework
because tomorrow is Saturday.
2. Drivers ________ stop at a stop sign.
3. ________ you make a copy for me?
4. We _______ leave now or we will be late.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
5. A: _______ I use your laptop computer?
B: Of course you _______.
6. I _______ rather cook tonight.
7. _____ I go to the restroom, Miss Chang?
8. ______ you prefer chicken or steak for
dinner?
9. I __________ catch the bus this morning.
My father drove me to school.
Unit 9: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
10. _________ you answer the phone?
11. When I was young, I ________ speak
better English than now.
12. You look pale. You ______ go to a doctor.
13. You have been driving for ten hours. You
_________ be exhausted.
14. We __________ rent a car. My father will
lend us his.