English Modal Verbs ? By Bahrom Almardanov
Jan 06, 2016
English Modal Verbs ?
By Bahrom Almardanov
Section FourCompound Modal
Verbs and their functions
Section TwoSimple Modal
Verbs
Section ThreePast forms of
Modal Verbs and their functions
Section OneBasic Information about Modal Verbs
Section FiveFinal Test
What are Modal Verbs ?
Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs. Here are some important differences:
1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person.
EXAMPLES:He can speak Russian.She should go now.
My wife may join us for the dinner.
2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past.
EXAMPLES:You should not be late.
I can not come to at 6pm.
He may not like this idea.
You must not disturb him now, he is busy.
They didn’t must do it. NOT CORRECT
3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses.
EXAMPLES:He will can go with us. NOT CORRECT
She musted study very hard. NOT CORRECT
It mayed show yesterday. NOT CORRECT
1
2
3
Which sentence has a modal verb?
We have been arguing over this issue for half and hour, let’s change the topic.
Do not turn on that computer, it is not working properly. We need to fix it.
Let’s visit our grandpa, we have not seen him since Christmas.
Well Done!
Back to the Rule
Please choose the correct sentence
He cans climb the rocks.
He can climb the rocks.
He canned climb the rocks.
Fantastic!
Back to the Rule
Please choose correct negative form of modal verb
I don’t can do it now, I am very busy till 5pm.
You must don’t smoke here, this place is smoke free.
He should not procrastinate his assignments, he may not get good grades.
Great!
Quit Continue
Back to the Rule
Section TwoSimple Modal
Verbs
“Can”
“May”
“Must”
1. to express general ability 2. to express possibility / impossibility 3. to ask a permission (informal)
EXAMPLES:
I can sing and play the guitar. Anyone can learn how to use Computers if
they want to. Can you help me to fix my door?
Take the testBack to section two
1. to express possibility2. to ask or to give a permission (formal)3. to make requests
EXAMPLES:
He may come late today. You may use my Computer now. May I make a phone call?
Take the testBack to section two
1. to express certainty 2. to express necessity 3. to make a strong recommendation
EXAMPLES:
You must be tired now, you have worked all day long.
I must have a visa to go to Canada. CEP 811 is a very interesting class, you must
take it too.
Take the testBack to section two
If you want to get a better feeling for how the city is laid out, you_______________ walk downtown and explore the waterfront.
Choose the best answer
Will DoCan
See the rules
Can May Must
Today is cloudy, it ________________ rain.
Choose the best answer
May CanDoes
Can May Must
See the rules
Choose the best answer
Ted's flight from Uzbekistan took more than 11 hours. He ________________ be exhausted after such a long flight.
May MustCan
See the rules
Can
If you have not studied one of these verbs, click on it.
May Must
If you have, click here
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“Could”
“Would” “Should”
“Might”
Section ThreePast forms of
Modal Verbs and their functions
1. to express general ability in the past, because it is the past form of the “Can”
2. to express possible future actions similar to “May and Might” in meaning
3. to make a request or ask something4. to express unreal or impossible actions
EXAMPLES:
We tried hard but we could not persuade them to come with us.
My grandfather could not swim. When you go to Uzbekistan, you could stay with me. Could you tell me what time it is? I don’t know how she works 14 hours a day in front
of the computer, I could not do this.
Take the test #1Back to section three Take the test #2
1. to express future in the past because it is the past form of “Will”
2. to express unreal action in the present
3. to ask someone to do something (formal), (structure: If + you + would+ verb)
EXAMPLES:
He told me that he would come and fix this computer yesterday.
I would be very frightened if someone pointed a gun at me.
If we did not go to their party next week, she would be very upset.
I’d be very grateful if you would come and help me move to my new apartment.
Take the test #1Back to section three Take the test #2
1. to ask or give advice or recommendation 2. often after these verbs: suggest, propose,
recommend, insist, demand.3. If you think that if person is likely to do something
with less certainty or accidentally, you can use this structure: If + you + should+ verb or Should + you + verb
EXAMPLES:
I think you should stop smoking, drinking and messing around, instead you should do sometime useful.
They insisted that we should have dinner with them. He recommended that I should apologize to her for
what I said. If you should see Tom this evening, could you tell him
to call me? or Should you see Tom….. Don’t worry if I should be late tonight.
Take the test #1Back to section three Take the test #2
1. to give or ask permission, or possibility in the past, because it is the past form of “May”
2. to express future or present possibility and probability
3. Interchangeably with “May” quite often with no difference in meaning.
EXAMPLES:
She told that he might come in and use her stove. He might be having lunch now. It might rain tomorrow. There may/might not be a meeting tonight, because
the director is ill. I may/might go to Italy this summer.
Take the test #1Back to section three Take the test #2
Your brother was ill, therefore he _____ go out for a walk.
# 1. Choose the correct modal verb
Can’t Mustn’t Couldn’t
Back to the Rule
Outstanding!!!
Back to section three
If he were here, he ____ help you.
# 2. Choose the correct modal verb
May CanCouldn’t Could
Back to the Rule
Terrific !!!
Back to section three
Mr. Bond said if she was busy at 10 o'clock, he ____ come to see her later.
# 1. Choose the correct verb
May CanWould Must
Back to the Rule
Super!!!
Back to section three
This house ____ look better if they painted it and cut the grass and planted flowers.
# 2. Choose the correct modal verb
May Can WouldMust
Back to the Rule
Quit
Well done!!!
Quit Continue
Back to section three
Oh, you are seriously ill. I think you ... consult a doctor.
# 1. Choose the correct modal verb
Would Should MayCould
Back to the Rule
Good Job!!!
Back to section three
The Sheriff demands that all the eyewitnesses _____ be questioned immediately.
# 2.Choose the correct modal verb
WouldShouldMust Could
Back to the Rule
Outstanding!!!
Back to section three
He said that I ____ play any CD from his collection while he was gone.
# 1. Choose the correct modal verb
May Should Must Might
Back to the Rule
Good Job!!!
Back to section three
Don’t call me at 8:30. I ____ be watching the football match on television.
# 2. Choose the correct modal verb
WouldCanMight Should
Back to the Rule
Good Job!!!
Back to section three
Modal Verbs + Perfectives?
Quit Continue
Section FourCompound Modal
Verbs and their functions
Modal Verbs + Perfective
May/Might/Could + Have + Past Participle
Must + Have + Past Participle
Should + Have + Past Participle
Would + Have + Past Participle
Examples: When I was sleeping last night, it may/might/could
have rained. I can’t find my notebook in my office, I
may/might/could have left it in the cafeteria.
to express the possibility or probability in the past, it is not certain if it happened or not.
May/Might/Could + Have + Past Participle
Take the testBack to section four
A) Why didn’t Tom answer the doorbell? I am sure he was in the house at the time.
B) He ____ have been in the bath.
Choose the incorrect answer
CouldMightMay Can
Back to the Rule
Outstanding!!!
Examples: Amira made an excellent presentation, she must
have prepared a lot for it. When I came home in the middle of the night, I
unintentionally made a lot of noise, you must have heard me.
to express the certainty in the past.
Must + Have + Past Participle
Take the testBack to section four
When I woke up this morning, the light was on. I _____ have forgotten to turn it off.
Choose the correct modal verb
Couldn’tShouldCan Must
Back to the Rule
Quit
Awesome!!!
Quit Continue
Examples: I feel sick now, I should not have eaten so much
chocolate. I am so sorry to hear that you got a bad grade for
this class, you should have studied more.
to criticize some action in the past that did not happen.
Should + Have + Past Participle
Take the testBack to section four
The driver in the front stopped so suddenly without warning, I drove into the back of his car. It wasn’t my fault. He ______ have stopped so suddenly.
Choose the correct modal verb
Wouldn’tShouldn’tCan’t May not
Back to the Rule
Well Done!!!
Examples: Why didn’t you call me? I would have come and
helped you, and you wouldn’t have received this bill. If I had known that you were in Washington DC,I
would have made arrangements to see you.
to talk about unreal situations in the past, usually in If sentences.
Would + Have + Past Participle
Take the testBack to section four
If you had been more careful, you _____ have broken this vase.
Choose the correct modal verb
Wouldn’t Shouldn’tCan’t May not
Back to the Rule
Yey!!!
I challenge you to take this
Quit Continue
Section FiveFinal Test
Choose a Test Question Number
One
Two
Three
Five
Four
#1. Choose the best answer
You _____ break the body but you _____ break the spirit.
may / can not
could / can not
must / should
can / might not
Back to the Rule
Good Job!!!
Back to section five
#2. Choose the best answer
He knew perfectly well that he ______ it but he wouldn't admit it.
shouldn't have done
Should do
Must have done
Can do
Back to the Rule
Outstanding!!!
Back to section five
#3. Choose the best answer
Oh, Mary, you ______ a lie to your mother. She _______ you.
shouldn't tell / could have helped
should tell / might have helped
shouldn't have told / could have helped
mustn’t have told / could help
Back to the Rule
Bravo!!!
Back to section five
#4. Choose the best answer
If I had gone to the University of Miami, I ________ participated in their Spanish immersion program.
Could have
Should have
Must have
Can have
Back to the Rule
Spot on!!!
Back to section five
#5. Choose the best answer
You have no temperature now, so you needn't stay in bed any longer. You ___ eat what ever you like, but you ... drink any alcohol until you have finished taking tablets. And you ... stay indoors for three-four days. After you ... go out for short walks. If you want to get well soon you ... to follow all these instructions.
could/need/don't have to/must/must
might/could/had to/could/are able
have to/might/had to/could/should
can/mustn't/should/can/will have
Back to review section two
Back to review section three
Back to review section four
Wow!!!
Back to section five
For more Information about English Modal verbs please
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