Modals
1. I can type 25 words a minute. ability
2. You should do as you’re told. duty
3. You needn’t wait. no obligation
4. It will rain soon. prediction
5. You may leave now if you permission
want.
6. You must be quiet. obligation
Obligation:
I must go to the bank now.
I have to go to the bank now.
I had to go to the bank yesterday.
I will have to go to the bank tomorrow.
Advice/Duty
You should study harder.
You should visit your friends more often.
We ought to have stopped for a meal on the way. {should have + pp =
past tense}
Prohibition:
You mustn’t park near a zebra crossing. {traffic law}
You mustn’t read this; it’s confidential.
Choice:
You don’t have to come early for the meeting.
You don’t have to drink tea.
He doesn’t have to write the report today; he can write it tomorrow.
Habit:
When I was younger, I used to run five kilometres every day.
He used to read a lot when he was a student.
I used to eat a large breakfast, but I don’t any longer.
Warning:
You had better obey the law; otherwise you’ll suffer a lot. {You’d better
.....}
He had better pay off his debts, or I’ll sue him. {He’d better ..... }
Preference:
I would rather drink coffee. I’d rather go home and rest.
MODAL AUXILIARIES
have to (has to, had to)
Necessity: I have to go to work every day. Do you have to go to work
on Thursday?
{“Have to’” is treated as a main verb.}
{The negative "don't have to" expresses lack of necessity.}
Reminder: "Mustn't" means prohibition.
might
1. A weak probability: It might rain tomorrow.
ought to
1. This modal has the same meaning as should: He should be happy
but he isn't.
He ought to have more sense.
2. advice: You ought to study harder. It's cold; you ought to put on
something heavier.
You ought to buy a new dictionary; this one is very old.
would
This is another form of will : I would like an ice cream cone, please.
{Request}
Would you like some coffee? { an offer {Would like is a polite
synonym of want}
had better
Advice and a warning: You’d better obey the law; otherwise you'll
suffer a lot.
You had better not reveal this information.
Would rather { Preference }
I'd rather drink coffee.
He'd rather stay with us than go to see the match.
EXERCISES
I-Use the right modal or modal expression:
1. We … take a taxi; otherwise we’ll be very late. {warning}
2. You … walk; I can give you a lift in my car. {no obligation}
3. Children, you … tell a lie. {prohibition}
4. You … read this book; it’s good. {advice}
5. She … speak three languages fluently. {present ability}
6. … I make an appointment with Mr Gates. {formal request}
7. I … have a soft drink. I don’t drink any alcoholics. {preference}
8. You … joined us earlier. {advice not taken}
9. I … go out for a walk later this afternoon. {probability: 20%}
10. Don’t worry! You … pay a cent. {lack of need}
11. You … take an aspirin and have a hot drink. That’s all. {advice}
12. You … take this medicine. It’s absolutely necessary. {obligation}
13. … you help me with this calculation, Ted? {Informal request}
14. He … break the law, or he’ll end up in prison. {prohibition}