Modals
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Modals (Basic Grammar in Use): modal + base V Modal
Function
For the future Will
When you offer or decide to do sth Note: We use with I think or I don’t think
Shall Might/ May
Can Could
A: It’s hot in here. B: Shall I open the window?
It is possible that I’ll do it; not sure
I might/ may go to Ireland for my vacation.
May I…? = Is it ok to do sth?
May I go to the bathroom?
I know how to do it/ I have the ability to do it; it is possible for me to do it
1. I can fix cars. 2. I can go to the party tonight.
Past tense of can
When I was a child, I could play the piano.
We believe that sth is true It is necessary to do sth We believe that sth is not true
Mustn’t
It is necessary not to do sth; it is the wrong thing to do It is a good thing to do it; it is the right thing to do
Should/ Ought to
Have to
I will go to the post office tomorrow. 1. I’ll call you tonight. 2. That looks heavy. I’ll carry that for you. 1. I think I’ll call you tonight. 2. I don’t think I’ll go to the party tonight.
Do you think this is a good thing to do? Do you think this is a good idea? Note: We only use shall with I and We
Can you…?/ Could you…? = when we ask sb to do sth Can I have…?/ Could I have…? = to ask for sth Can I…?/ Could I…? = May I…? = is it ok to do sth? Must
Sample Sentences
Note: Same as will, we use with I think or I don’t think Note: Should is different from must in that I can refuse to do it Note: In making offers to do sth, we can use instead of shall
It is necessary for me to do sth; I am obliged to do sth Note: similar to must but have to is more commonly used in spoken English
Can/ Could you open the door? I’m thirsty. Can/ Could I have some water? Can/ Could/ May I go to the bathroom? Jane isn’t at work today. She must be sick. You have a test tomorrow. You must study. Jane is at work today. She mustn’t feel sick anymore. I have a class early tomorrow morning. I mustn’t sleep late. We should/ ought to always tell the truth. 1. I think I should study tonight. 2. I don’t think I should go to the party. I have a test tomorrow. I should study for my test but I think I’ll watch a movie. A: It’s hot in here. B: Should/ Shall I open the window? I am sick. I have to/ must take my medicine. I am sick. I have to/ must take my medicine.
Don’t have to
It is not necessary for me to do sth Note: not similar to mustn’t
I don’t have a class tomorrow. I don’t have to sleep early tonight.
Had to
Past tense of have to and must
I had a test last week. I had to study.
ajvilches. 5/2009
ajvilches. 5/2009
Function
For the future Will
When you offer or decide to do sth Note: We use with I think or I don’t think
Shall Might/ May
Can Could
A: It’s hot in here. B: Shall I open the window?
It is possible that I’ll do it; not sure
I might/ may go to Ireland for my vacation.
May I…? = Is it ok to do sth?
May I go to the bathroom?
I know how to do it/ I have the ability to do it; it is possible for me to do it
1. I can fix cars. 2. I can go to the party tonight.
Past tense of can
When I was a child, I could play the piano.
We believe that sth is true It is necessary to do sth We believe that sth is not true
Mustn’t
It is necessary not to do sth; it is the wrong thing to do It is a good thing to do it; it is the right thing to do
Should/ Ought to
Have to
I will go to the post office tomorrow. 1. I’ll call you tonight. 2. That looks heavy. I’ll carry that for you. 1. I think I’ll call you tonight. 2. I don’t think I’ll go to the party tonight.
Do you think this is a good thing to do? Do you think this is a good idea? Note: We only use shall with I and We
Can you…?/ Could you…? = when we ask sb to do sth Can I have…?/ Could I have…? = to ask for sth Can I…?/ Could I…? = May I…? = is it ok to do sth? Must
Sample Sentences
Note: Same as will, we use with I think or I don’t think Note: Should is different from must in that I can refuse to do it Note: In making offers to do sth, we can use instead of shall
It is necessary for me to do sth; I am obliged to do sth Note: similar to must but have to is more commonly used in spoken English
Can/ Could you open the door? I’m thirsty. Can/ Could I have some water? Can/ Could/ May I go to the bathroom? Jane isn’t at work today. She must be sick. You have a test tomorrow. You must study. Jane is at work today. She mustn’t feel sick anymore. I have a class early tomorrow morning. I mustn’t sleep late. We should/ ought to always tell the truth. 1. I think I should study tonight. 2. I don’t think I should go to the party. I have a test tomorrow. I should study for my test but I think I’ll watch a movie. A: It’s hot in here. B: Should/ Shall I open the window? I am sick. I have to/ must take my medicine. I am sick. I have to/ must take my medicine.
Don’t have to
It is not necessary for me to do sth Note: not similar to mustn’t
I don’t have a class tomorrow. I don’t have to sleep early tonight.
Had to
Past tense of have to and must
I had a test last week. I had to study.
ajvilches. 5/2009
ajvilches. 5/2009
