Modal Verbs

Modal verbs: present and future vince first certificate. Ability: can and be able to Can, like all modal verbs, cannot be used in an infinitive or continuous form. We use be able to in situations where we need these forms. I’d like to be able to swim. Not being able to swim is annoying. Must and can’t: These words have a meaning related to certainty – they are used to make deductions. This is when we are sure or almost sure about something because it is logical. This usage is especially common with the verb be. These words are also used in other ways: must for obligation and can(‘t) for ability (see above). May, might and could. These words all express uncertainty or possibility. Could is not used with not in this context. Modal verbs: past Modals 1: degrees of likelihood unit 6 Aspects of the future: unit 2 There are many ways of expressing the future in English depending on the meaning. We can use: Will + infinitive • • •

To predict what is going to happen based on past experience or opinion. In more formal contexts for arrangements which have been made in some detail. For decisions which are made on the spur of the moment.

Shall + infinitive To talk about the future instead of will with I and we, although it is used less nowadays than previously. For offers. Unit 4: speculating about the past. • • •

To express certainty or near – certainty about something in the past, the modal verb must is used with have and a past participle. To express uncertainty about something in the past, the modal verbs could, may, might are used with have and a past participle. To express impossibility about something in the past, the modal verbs can’t or couldn’t are used with have and a past participle.

Unit 18: • • • • • • • • • • •

Strong obligation Weak obligation Unfulfilled obligation (past) Prohibition No necessity Speculation Deduction Ability Impossibility Advice Permission

Unit 6: degrees of likelihood. Can is used to express possibility without reference to past, present or future. Could, may and might express present possibility with reference to the future, present or past. May not and might not express possibility negatively. Deduction is expressed by must be/must have been, will be/will have been and should be/should have been. Impossibility is expressed by cannot/can’t and could not Could and might can be used to imply criticism or irritation. Vince: modals – past unit 12 Had to and must have Should have and ought to have Could have May have and might have Must have and can’t have Would not Would have Needn’t have and didn’t need to Adverbs and modals

Unit 11: Don’t have to and must not: Abscence of obligation. Obligation not to do something. Should: Expectation, recommendation, criticism of an action, uncertainty with verbs of thinking, with be and adjectives describing chance, after in case to emphasise unlikelihood. Could: Possibility or uncertainty, with comparative adjectives to express possibility or impossibility, suggestions, unwillingness. Can: criticism, capability. Must and can’t: certainty, present time reference only. May and might: although clauses, may/might as well, possibility or uncertainty with try. Shall: certainty, what the speaker wants to happen. Will: assumption, intention, refuse and insist Would: annoying habits, certainty Need: need to not a modal, need partly a modal Related non – modal expressions: had better, be bound to Unit 12: Had to and must have: past obligation, past certainty. Should have and ought to have: expectation, criticism of an action. Should have and verbs of thinking, with be and adjectives describing chance, polite expressions. Could have: past possibility or uncertainty, with comparative adjectives, unwillingness. Would have:events in the past which did not happen, assumptions. Needn’t have and didn’t need to: unnecessary actions done and not done. Adverbs and modals: well, easily, obviously, really, just.