Lesson 8 Modal Verbs (Part 1)

Transcription

1 Lesson 8 Modal Verbs (Part 1) A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb or helping verb that is used to talk about ability, probability, permission, obligation, advice, and requests. Some common modals in English are: can, could, would should, shall, will may, might, must Characteristics of Modal Verbs Before we dive in to our study, let's learn five important characteristics of modal verbs: 1. They have only one form, so you cannot add -s, -ed, -ing or make any other modifications. 2. Modals are used together with a main verb. You cannot put two modals together (don't say "will can," for example). You also can't use helping verbs like do/does/did with modals, because the modals themselves already function as helping verbs! 3. Never use to between a modal verb and the main verb: They should to enjoy it. You must not to panic. 4. To make the negative form of a modal verb, add not immediately after it. We often use the short form in spoken English, and the two-word form in more formal writing:

2 Positive Negative (long form) Negative (short form) can cannot can't could could not couldn't would would not wouldn't should should not shouldn't shall shall not shan t (very rare) will will not won t may may not might might not mightn t must must not mustn t To make a question with a modal verb, put it in front of the subject: Can you look over this paper? Will they be coming to dinner? Should I get a tattoo? You can also add a question word before the modal verb: Where can I get some copies made? When will they arrive? How should we proceed? 5. We also have some expressions called "semi-modals" - these are not exactly the same as modal verbs because they do not follow all of the rules above - but they do

3 perform some of the same functions. Semi-modals include: able to, ought to, had better, have to, need to, got to - and we will cover these as well. One thing that makes modals tricky is that many of these words have multiple functions. The word could, for example, is used for ability, probability, and for making requests. The word must is used for both probability and obligation. Instead of learning the modals word by word, we will study them in categories of function, because this is more practical and will help you see how to use them in real situations. Today we'll cover modals for ability and obligation. Tomorrow's lesson will be on modals for requests, advice, offers, and permission. The final lesson of this series will teach modals for talking about certainty, probability, and deduction. Modal Verbs for Ability Present ability To describe ability in the present, we use can/can't or able to / not able to. In everyday speaking, can/can't are more common. She can speak six languages. = She's able to speak six languages. I can't move the couch alone; it's too heavy. = I'm not able to move the couch alone; it's too heavy. Can you do a handstand? = Are you able to do a handstand? Put it into practice! What are two abilities you have, and two abilities you don't have? Say them now: I can... / I'm able to... I can't... / I'm not able to...

4 Past ability To talk about ability in the past, we use could/couldn't or was/wasn't/were/weren't able to: When I was younger, I could eat anything I wanted without gaining weight. When I was younger, I was able to eat anything I wanted without gaining weight. There are some situations when we tend to prefer one or the other. 1. Use able to for a specific accomplishment (in contrast to general ability): Last month we worked very hard, and we were able to finish the project a week early. My television broke, but my friend was able to fix it. I can t believe you were able to sleep with all the noise from the neighbors party last night! 2. Using could/couldn't is more common than was able to for... Verbs of the senses and of thinking (hear, see, smell, taste, feel, think, believe, remember, understand): From the top of the mountain, we could see the ocean miles away. What did you say? I couldn't hear you because I was listening to music. He said that he disagreed, but he could understand my point of view. I knew we'd been introduced, but I just couldn't remember her name. With the words almost and hardly: The animals in the zoo were so close I could nearly touch them. He was so shocked that he could hardly speak. It s not wrong to use was able to in these situations, it s just a little less common.

5 Put it into practice! What are two things that you were able to do when you were a child or teenager? When I was younger, I could... When I was younger, I was able to... Future ability To talk about ability in the future, we only have one option - will/won't be able to. When I move back to my hometown next month, I'll be able to see my family more often. I won't be able to go to the game tomorrow afternoon - I have a doctor's appointment. Put it into practice! Think of a future plan or goal that you have. What's one thing you will be able to do after accomplishing it, at that point in time? When I, I'll be able to... Modal Verbs for Obligation and Permission Required / Not Required When something is necessary, obligatory, or required, we can use: must (most formal) need to have to have got to / "gotta" (very informal) The word must is often used when explaining rules - but it can also be used for a strong opinion that something is necessary.

6 Students must turn in their final papers by June 30. (it's a rule) Visitors to this country must have a valid visa. (it's the law) If you want to excel in one thing, you must make sacrifices in other areas. (strong opinion) This cake is delicious! You really must have a piece. (strong opinion) In everyday English, we more often use need to, have to/has to, and the very informal have got to or "gotta" to express something that is necessary or obligatory: We have to write a 10-page paper for biology class. You need to fill out these forms in order to open a bank account. If you want to get better, you've got to practice. I'm late! I've gotta run! (or I gotta run!) In spoken English, these words often sound different because they are pronounced very fast: have to = hafta has to = hasta have got to = gotta When something is not required, we can use don't need to or don't have to: You don't need to pay for this workshop - it's free. My kids don't have to wear a uniform at their school. Put it into practice! Say three things that are required, necessary, or obligatory in your country, place of work, school, or personal life:

7 must have to have got to / gotta Now say two things that are NOT required in your country, place of work, school, or personal life: don't have to don't need to Prohibited / Permitted When something is prohibited, we can use mustn't, can't, may not, or some alternatives like not permitted and not allowed: You mustn't park here - it's a no-parking zone. You can't get on the train without a ticket. 12-year-old kids may not buy alcohol. Sharing confidential information outside the company is not permitted. We're not allowed to take pictures inside the art museum - the flash can damage the artwork. When something is permitted, we can use can, may, permitted, and allowed: You can take a free trial of the product before buying it. Employees may take up to two weeks of personal vacation time. My kids are allowed to stay up late on Friday nights. Visitors to the hospital are permitted between the hours of 2 and 5 PM. Put it into practice! Think of one thing that is prohibited in each of the following situations: On an airplane, you mustn't... In a hospital, you can't... In my country, it is not permitted to... When I was a child, I was not allowed to...

8 Now think of one thing that is permitted in each of the following situations: At a bar, you can... At my job/school, we are allowed to... Summary Past Present Future Ability could was/were able to can am/is/are able to will be able to Required had to needed to must need to have to / has to have got to / gotta will have to will need to Not required didn't have to didn t need to don t have to don t need to won't have to won t need to Prohibited wasn't permitted wasn t allowed can t may not mustn t not permitted not allowed won't be permitted won t be allowed Permitted was permitted was allowed can may is permitted is allowed will be permitted will be allowed You ve finished Lesson 8 Part 1 of our series on modal verbs. Now take the quiz and do the practice exercises to put these modal verbs into practice and make sure you know when to use each one in the right situation.

9 Quiz Lesson 8 Modal Verbs (Part 1) Fill in the sentences with the correct modal verb from the box: can may were able to can't must will be able to could must not will be permitted to don't have to couldn t will need to had to wasn't allowed to won't be able to 1. Restaurants be inspected by the health department in order to get a permit to serve food. 2. I'm really out of shape. I climb a flight of stairs without getting winded. 3. Students leave the cafeteria during the lunch hour, as long as they are quiet in the hallways. 4. Members of the audience ask the speaker questions after she finishes her talk. 5. you find a parking space at the stadium yesterday? 6. I saw that film twice but I just understand it. 7. This morning I spilled milk all over the table, so I clean it up before leaving the house. 8. You drink alcohol while taking antibiotics - you could get very sick. 9. Once I get certified, I work as a massage therapist. 10. We go to school tomorrow - it's a holiday. 11. When I was a child, I play computer games for more than 30 minutes. My mom didn't want me to get addicted. 12. My cousin does karate, and she break a concrete block with her hand. 13. My son read by the time he was 4. Now he's 14 and is reading college textbooks! 14. When your baby is born, you take some time off. 15. If you don't train the new employee, then he do the work.

10 Writing Task What's your opinion about rules? Do you believe they should be followed, or do you believe that "rules are made to be broken"? Are there situations where you think it's OK to "bend the rules" (make an exception)? Give some examples to support your opinion. Also, every society and culture also has some "unwritten rules" - traditions and expectations that are not official laws, but the majority of people accept and follow them. What are some of the unwritten rules in your culture? Do you tend to go along with them or not? Send me your text at shayna@espressoenglish.net for feedback and correction!

11 Answers Lesson 8 Modal Verbs (Part 1) 1. Restaurants must be inspected by the health department in order to get a permit to serve food. 2. I'm really out of shape. I can't climb a flight of stairs without getting winded. 3. Students may leave the cafeteria during the lunch hour, as long as they are quiet in the hallways. 4. Members of the audience will be permitted to ask the speaker questions after she finishes her talk. 5. Were you able to find a parking space at the stadium yesterday? 6. I saw that film twice but I just couldn t understand it. 7. This morning I spilled milk all over the table, so I had to clean it up before leaving the house. 8. You must not drink alcohol while taking antibiotics - you could get very sick. 9. Once I get certified, I will be able to work as a massage therapist. 10. We don't have to go to school tomorrow - it's a holiday. 11. When I was a child, I wasn't allowed to play computer games for more than 30 minutes. My mom didn't want me to get addicted. 12. My cousin does karate, and she can break a concrete block with her hand. 13. My son could read by the time he was 4. Now he's 14 and is reading college textbooks! 14. When your baby is born, you will need to take some time off. 15. If you don't train the new employee, then he won't be able to do the work.