MODALS
Pam: Can you speak Chinese, Jim?
Jim : Er…well, I could when I was
young.
Pam: Do you think they will understand
us in China?
Jim : I hope they can speak English.
can : present ability
Jo :I can help you with the boxes if you
like.
Sue: Oh thank you. It’s very kind of you.
They are too heavy for me.
could: past ability
E.g. My mum could run really fast
when
she was younger.
1968
Mike : Sue, look at this letter. It says “For
the young Bells” but the handwriting is so
strange. I don’t recognize it.
Sue : Let me have a look. I can hardly read
it.
Mike : Well, it must be for us. It can’t be for
mum and dad. Their names
aren’t on the envelope.
Sue : And it can’t be a bill. I bet it is
from Uncle Joe. He’s such a joker.
can’t-must : deduction
E.g. That can’t be right! I’m sure the
price on the trousers was 25
euros, but I paid 30!
This letter must be from John.
It’s his handwriting.
may- might: possibility
E.g. They may visit us at the weekend,
but it’s not definite yet.
We might have a maths quiz
next week.
should/shouldn’t : advice
E.g. You should go and see the dentist
about that toothache.
She shouldn’t listen to what
everyone else tells her to do.
ought (not) to: advice
E.g. I ought to go now- it’s getting
late.
You ought not to eat too much
junk food.
Jenny: Nick, Mum has a headache. We
ought to be [Link]
shouldn’t
make so much noise.
Nick : Did you say something?
Jenny: The music is too loud. You ought
to turn it down.
Nick : I can’t hear you. The music is too
loud.
needn’t/ don’t need to:
lack of necessity-It isn’t
necessary.
E.g. You needn’t ring for a taxi, thanks
–
I’ll catch a bus.
must: Obligation (strong advice,
duty)
E.g. We must have the car washed
today – it’s filthy.
mustn’t: Prohibition
(It is forbidden to do something./
You are not allowed to do
something.)
E.g. You mustn’t make so much noise.
It’s late and the baby is sleeping.