Scribd
Upload
119 views12 pages

Understanding Modal Verbs in English

The document discusses the structures and uses of various modal verbs in English including must, can, could, may, and might. It explains that modal verbs do not take -s in the third person singular, do not use do/doe for negatives and questions, and come before the subject. It then provides examples of the basic structures for each modal verb and their uses for obligations, abilities, permissions, possibilities, and more.

Uploaded by

Katherine Cely Antolinez
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
119 views12 pages

Understanding Modal Verbs in English

The document discusses the structures and uses of various modal verbs in English including must, can, could, may, and might. It explains that modal verbs do not take -s in the third person singular, do not use do/doe for negatives and questions, and come before the subject. It then provides examples of the basic structures for each modal verb and their uses for obligations, abilities, permissions, possibilities, and more.

Uploaded by

Katherine Cely Antolinez
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction to Modal Verbs
  • General Rules for Modal Verbs
  • Types of Modal Verbs
  • Usage of Must, Can, Could, May, Might
  • Structure: Must / Mustn't
  • Structure: Can / Can't
  • Structure: Could / Couldn't
  • Structure: May / May not
  • Structure: Might / Might not
  • Certainty Levels of Modal Verbs
  • Examples Using Verb to Be
  • Conclusion

Grammar

 They don’t take “-s” in the third person singular.


She can swim. He needs to read the article.

 We do not use do/does with modal verbs to form negatives, questions or short
answers.

 They come before the subject in questions and are followed by 'not' in negations.
Must you make noise when mum is slept?
You must not make noise when mum is slept.

 Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to.


Sorry, I couldn't come.
We use must for obligations and prohibitions.

We use can for abilities and inabilities, asking, giving and refusing permissions.
(Present Simple Tense)

We use could for abilities and inabilities, asking permissions and making
requests politely. (Past Simple Tense)

We use may for possibilities about something. (To suppose) (Formal situations)

We use might for possibilities about something. (To suppose) (Informal situations)
Subject + must + infinitive verb + complement.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they must throw rubbish away today.

Structure: Subject + mustn’t + infinitive verb + complement.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they mustn’t lost the competition.

Must + Subject + infinitive verb + complement?

Must I/you/he/she/it/we/they make the dinner?


Structure: Subject + can + infinitive verb + complement.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they can walk round historic places.

Subject + can’t + infinitive verb + complement.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they can’t fail the final exams.

Can + Subject + infinitive verb + complement?

Can I/you/he/she/it/we/they open the door?


Structure:
Subject + could + infinitive verb + complement.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they could change my bad behaviour.

Subject + couldn’t + infinitive verb + complement.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they couldn’t trust you my secrets.

Could + Subject + infinitive verb + complement?

Could I/you/he/she/it/we/they make a favor, please?


Subject + may+ infinitive verb + complement.
Structure:
I/you/he/she/it/we/they may come the next month.

Subject + may not + infinitive verb + complement.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they may not play the new song, sorry.

May + Subject + infinitive verb + complement?

May I/you/he/she/it/we/they eat a doble humburger?


Structure:
Subject + might+ infinitive verb + complement.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they might paint a masterpiece.

Subject + might not + infinitive verb + complement.

I/you/he/she/it/we/they might not read that mysterious letter.

Might + Subject + infinitive verb + complement?

Might I/you/he/she/it/we/they interpret the code?


100%
Here, you bet because you’re sure.

80%
Possible.

60% - 50%
Maybe.
CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo,
including icons by Flaticon, infographics & images by Freepik

Grammar
They don’t take “-s” in the third person singular. She can swim. He needs to read the article. We do not use do/does with
We use may for possibilities about something. (To suppose) (Formal situations) We use could for abilities and inabilities, as
Structure: Subject + mustn’t + infinitive verb + complement. Subject + must + infinitive verb + complement. Must + Subject
Structure: Subject + can’t + infinitive verb + complement. Subject + can + infinitive verb + complement. Can + Subject + in
Structure: Subject + couldn’t + infinitive verb + complement. Subject + could + infinitive verb + complement. Could + Subje
Structure: Subject + may not + infinitive verb + complement. Subject + may+ infinitive verb + complement. May + Subject + i
Structure: Subject + might not + infinitive verb + complement. Subject + might+ infinitive verb + complement. Might + Subje
60% - 50% Maybe. 80% Possible. 100% Here, you bet because you’re sure.

You might also like