ETHIOPIA DEFENCE UNIVERSITY

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COLLEGE

COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILL II

Set by: Tamene Degu

Modal Verbs

They are Auxiliary verbs that provide additional and specific meaning to the main verb of the sentence.

Can/ Could May/ Might Must , Shall, Should, Ought to, Will, Would and must

COMMON MEANINGS OF MODAL AUXILIARY VERBS

Modal auxiliary verbs are followed by the base form of a verb to show certainty, necessity, or possibility.
Modals and the verbs that follow do not change form to indicate tense or take an “-s” ending. All modal
auxiliary verbs can be used in the present, but only “could,” “would,” “should,” and “might” can be used
in the past. Common meanings of modal auxiliary verbs with their present and past tense forms are as
follows:

Use “can, could”

• to show or infer general ability

You can arrive any time, but you may want to be early to get a good seat.

She could recite the entire poem from memory.

• to make a polite or an informal request

Can you leave early tomorrow?

Could you give me a ride?

• to give permission

You can take a day off tomorrow

• to give permission

You can take a day off tomorrow if you can't find a babysitter.

If necessary, you could ask for an extension.

• make a prediction

If you work hard, you can relax for the rest of the semester.

If you continue to improve your grades, you could graduate with honors.

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Set by Tamene Degu (MA)
Use “will, would”

• to make a polite or informal request

Will you join me for lunch?

I would appreciate your assistance.

• to make a formal request

Will you be quiet!

Would you please pay attention!

• to show intention or to indicate certainty

He will arrive at the beginning of the concert.

They would be the first students to register for the workshop.

• to make a prediction

If she receives a scholarship, she will continue with her studies.

I would be surprised if he is not elected

Use “shall”

• to show intention

We shall overcome.

• to make a polite or informal request

Shall I open it for you?

Use “should”

• to indicate expectation

You should receive a new credit card in the mail.

• to suggest or provide advice

If you expect to pass the exam, you should devote more time to studying.

• to infer responsibility or obligation

We should work together to protect the environment

Use “may, might”

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• to make a formal request

May I speak with you in my office?

You might want to reconsider your request.

• to request permission

May I leave class early today?

Might I have a word with you?

• to show possibility

I may want to schedule at least one more appointment.

We might attend the next meeting.

• to make a prediction

If we cooperate with the opposition, it may be to our advantage.

I might get there late, but I will be in class tomorrow.

Use “must”

• to indicate necessity

We must respond as soon as possible

to infer a logical assumption

Since she is not at her desk, she must have already left for the day.

Summary note

1. Can

“Can” is used to denote the ability of the noun/ pronoun to perform an action or

to request permission to act.

Examples:

• I can dance.

• Can I dance?

• Sonu can swim.

• Sheela can paint.

• Raju can drive cars.

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Set by Tamene Degu (MA)
2. Could

“Could” is used to denote the ability of the subject to perform an action or an

offer made by the subject to do an action.

Examples:

• He could dance.

• She could solve her problems.

• He could decipher the sentence.

• We could live without care when we were younger.

• They could enter without any issue.

3. May

“May” is usually used in sentences to denote the probability or possibility of an

action taking place or to request permission to do something.

Examples:

• May I come in?

• He may like the color.
 She may attend the party.
• The dog may like the toy.
• She may come in today.

4. Might

“Might” is commonly used to denote the probability of an action taking place or to suggest possibilities.

Examples:

• She might like the presentation.

• He might like the shirt.
• She might not like the colour.
• He might like drawing over painting.
• The teacher might conduct a test.

5. Will

The word "will" is a highly popular and straightforward method to describe what you expect or plan to
happen in the future.

Examples:

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Set by Tamene Degu (MA)
 • She will attend the party.
• He will participate in the competition.
• They will attend the party.
• Raju will swim.
• Sheela will dance at the party.

6. Would

“Would” is commonly used to show politeness while requesting or asking if an action can be done by the
noun/pronoun.

Examples:

• He would love to attend the party.

• She would love to honour the gathering.
• The teacher would love to interact with the student.
• The priest would love to address the gathering.
• He would love the attend the exhibition.

7. Shall

A modal verb used to suggest future action is "shall." It frequently appears in

proposals like "Shall we go?" and is most frequently employed in phrases that

begin with "I" or "we." As a verb, "shall" is typically used to denote

commitments or voluntary actions.

Examples:

• We shall attend the gathering.

• Shall I use your notebook?
• Shall I finalise this?
• You shall let me know if you need anything.
• He shall dance.

8. Should

The modal verb "should" is frequently employed to offer suggestions or

counsel. It can be used to convey both obligation and expectation.

Examples:

• You should respect your elders.

• Should I send it out?
• He should prefer this over that.

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Set by Tamene Degu (MA)
 • She should pay more attention.

9. Must

“Must” is used to denote the necessity of an action to be done by the subject.

Examples:

• You must keep your surroundings clean.

• He must list down the options.
• She must choose one.
• He must address the listeners.
• You must plant trees.

10. Ought

“Ought” is used to denote the obligation of the subject to perform a particular

action.

Examples:

• He ought to pay the fine.

• She ought to respect her teacher.
• He ought to behave well.
• We ought to salute the warriors.
• We ought to honor the soldiers.

How do we use modals?

Subject +modal+ verb

Example: Mary could play the piano

There is no “s” in singular

There is no “do / does” in the question

There is no “don’t / doesn’t” in the negative

He can ski He cans ski or He can skis

There is no “s” in singular

Correct: There is no “do / does” in the question

Wrong: There is no “don’t / doesn’t” in the negative

Correct : He can ski

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Set by Tamene Degu (MA)
Wrong: He cans ski or He can skis

Correct Would you like to come with me?

Wrong : Do you would like to come with me?

Correct : They can’t be serious

Wrong: They don’t can be serious

Modal verbs do not have infinitives or –ing forms

Wrong :to can / caning to must /musting

Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to

She must study (strong obligation)

We should have gone the other way (recommendation)

He could play football in his youth (ability in the past)

Exercises 1

Choose the appropriate modal verbs

My son ___ be home by now. Where can he be?

a. Have to b. would c. should d. could

2. I think your thumb is broken. You ___ go to the emergency room.

a. Might b. could c. ought to d. can

3. If you are interested in losing weight, you ______ try this new diet.

a. Could b. mustn’t c. don’t have to d. had to

4. John’s fallen down the stairs! I ________ call an ambulance!

a. Will b. might c. may d. ought to

5. You _______ come too early. We won’t leave until 9 o’clock.

a. Has to b. must c. needn’t d. can’t

6. Children ________ be accompanied by an adult at the zoo.

a. Ought to b. must c. would d. mustn’t

7. You _________ talk during tests. It’s forbidden!

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 a. don’t have to b. mustn’t c. couldn’t d. ought to

8. I can feel the heat. We _________ be near the fire.

a. Can b. would c. must d. have to

9. They ________ hear him because he was whispering.

a. Wouldn’t b. mustn’t c. shouldn’t d. couldn’t

10. You’ve never heard of Britney Spears? You ________ be serious!

a. Must b. had to c. can’t d. shouldn’t

11. __________ you like to have dinner with me tonight?

a. Could b. may c. should d. would

12. You _________ let him hear about the party tomorrow. It’s a surprise!

a. mustn’t mustn’t b. wouldn’t wouldn’t c. couldn’t couldn’t d. can

13. __________ I speak to the Chief Councellor, please?

a. Must b. May c. Would d. Need

14. He has arrived late. He _______ missed the bus

a. Must have b. Should have c. Could have d. must

Re-write the following sentences using modals so that they have the same meaning.

1. I suggest that you get a good lawyer!

You ___________________________________________

2. A university degree isn’t necessary for that job.

should get a lawyer

You ___________________________________________

3. Perhaps my father will pick you up.

My father _______________________________________

4. Eating is forbidden in class! You ________________________

Exercise2: Practice Questions

Fill in the blanks

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Set by Tamene Degu (MA)
1. I ___ run fast to catch the train.

2. I ___ bring milk on my way home.

3. He ___ faces a lot of problems getting this approved.

4. She ___ be at school on time.

5. He ___ does what makes him happy.

6. ___ I get you a glass of water?

7. He ___ takes part in the occasion.

8. We ___take care of our surroundings

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Set by Tamene Degu (MA)