CHAPTER: MODAL AUXILLIARS (PAGE 40-54)
INTRODCUTION
The modal verbs are
- Can
- Could
- Must
- Should
- Ought
- May
- Might
- Will
- Would
- Shall
- They always have same the form and never have an endling like -s
- They express (un)certainty, probability, possibility, necessity
We can use them to tell or allow people to do things; or we can use them to
say how (un)certain we are
- After a model verb we put an infinite without to
We can park here
-> exception: ought -> to + infinitive
The government ought to do more to help
- To form the negative we use not or n’t with the modal verb
The plan might not work
You shouldn’t be so untidy!
- To form questions we put the modal verb before the subject
Can we park here?
We can park here, can’t we?
- The same modal verb can refer to the present of the future
Present: I’m looking for the letter. It might be somewhere in this pile of
papers
Future: I posted the letter this morning. It might get there tomorrow
- To talk about the past we can use a modal verb + have + past participle
I posted the letter two days ago. It might have arrived yesterday
- A model verb is followed by an infinitive without to. The infinitive can be
simple, continuous, perfect of passive
, FORM EXAMPLE
Simple They may show us their holiday photos
Continuous The may be showing the film on television soon
Perfect I may have shown you this before
Passive We may be shown the results later
Perfect + continuous You must have been dreaming
Perfect + passive The car must have been stolen
USE EXAMPLE
Necessity I must clean my shoes
No necessity You don’t have to wear a tie
The right thing to do You should complain
Permission Can I go?
Certainty The game will be over now
Impossibility This can’t be real gold
Probability Things should start get better
Possibility We may/might go out later
Ability I can ski
Hypothesis A million pounds would be very useful
Past habits We used to play together
MUST AND HAVE TO
1. Basic use
- We use “must” and “have to” to talk about what is necessary now or in the
near future
I’m really sweaty. I must have a shower
2. Must or have to?
- Must: we use it when the speaker or writer decides what us necessary
You must fill in a form -> I’m telling you
- Have to: we use it when the necessity comes from the situation
You have to fill in a form -> that’s the rule
3. Must to recommend things
- Sometimes we use “must” to recommend something enjoyable
You really must watch this new soap opera
NEEDN’T, DON’T HAVE AND MUSTN’T
,1. Needn’t and don’t have to
- We use these forms to say that something is not necessary
You needn’t apologize. It’s not your fault
You don’t have to apologize. It’s not your fault
2. Needn’t have done and didn’t need to
- We use these forms to talk about an unnecessary past action
We didn’t need to make any sandwiches. We knew no one would be
hungry
We needn’t have made/ didn’t need to make these sandwiches
3. Musn’t
- “mustn’t” is used to tell someone not to do something, or to say that is it
necessary to avoid something
You mustn’t forget your keys or you’ll be locked out
- It also uses to forbid something
Students must not use dictionaries in the examination
SHOULD AND OUGHT TO
1. The right thing to do
- We use this to say what is the right thing or best thing to do
You should go/ ought to go to London. It’s an interesting city
- In negatives, short answers and questions, we use “should”
Who should we invite to the wedding?
2. Probability
- We can also use “should” to say that something is probable
I posted the letter ages ago. They should have it by now
- In the negative we use “shouldn’t
We’re nearly at the front of the queue. We shouldn’t have to wait much
longer
CAN, COULD AND MAY
1. Asking permission
- We use “can”, “could” and “may” to ask permission
Can I take your umbrella? Of course you can
Could I borrow this calculator?
, - Could is more polite: may is more formal
2. Giving and refusing permission
- We use “can” and “may” to give permission
You can use my mobile phone
- We use “cannot/can’t” to refuse permission
These rooms are private. I’m afraid you can’t just walk here
3. Talking about permission
- “can” to refer to the present or future
I can stay up as late I like
- “could” to refer to the past
At one time anyone could go and live in the US
WILL, MUST AND CAN’T EXPRESSING CERTAINTY
- We use “will” for an assumption
It’s no good ringing Luke now. He’ll be at work
- “must” expresses certainty
You saw the film last week, so you must know what is about
- We use “can’t” for something we see as impossible
This can’t be Roland’s textbook. He doesn’t do physics
- “must” and “can’t” are opposites
The bill can’t be so much. There must be a mistake
MAY AND MIGHT
- We use these to say that something is possibly true
This old picture may/might be valuable
- They are also use for an uncertain prediction or intention
You might/may get stuck in traffic if you don’t leave early
- We can use a statement with “might” to make a suggestion
If you’re going to the post office, you might get some stamps
- “might” can also express criticism that something is not done
You never do anything to help. You might wash up occasionally
- We use “may as well” or “might as well” to say that something is the best
thing to do because there is no better alternative
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