2do Medio> Inglés USE OF ENGLISH Modal Verbs: May-might Should- Must I.- Read at the following situations. What would you do? Circle answers. What would you do? If you feel sick If you lose mobile phone If you fail a test If you cheat on boy/girl You should doctor police office the Tell You may You might You must Call mom Cry s Go to school Tell a the principal pharmacy Tell Tell Call the radio What type of information did you consider to select the previous answers? 1
Compare answers with a classmate. Did you tick the same answers? Why? Look at this test. These are Cristobal s answers to the previous exercise. If you feel sick If you lose mobile phone If you fail a test If you cheat on boy/girl You should doctor police office the Tell You may You might You must Call mom Cry s Go to school Tell a the principal pharmacy Tell Tell Call the radio Are Cristobal s answers similar to s or classmate s answers? Are Cristobal s answers wrong and s or those of classmate right? Why? When you talk about actions that you would or would not do, you are expressing obligations, possibilities, suggestions, recommendations or even prohibition. In English, to express those ideas we usually use modal verbs as they explain the mood in which something is done by someone. 2
Graphic organizer Look and read the following graphic organizer. In it, you will find the main expressions to use to show obligations, possibilities, suggestions, recommendations or prohibition. Use SHOULD to make recommendations Use MAY to suggest something is possible Modal verbs Use MIGHT to suggest something is slightly possible Use MUST to express prohibitions and necessities. II.- Read the explanations given for the use of the modal verbs. Check previous answers ideas. Use must to express a prohibition, an obligation or necessity. For example: You must not swim in that river. It's full of crocodiles. You must not forget to take malaria medication while you are in the tropics. We must get a permit to enter the park next week. Use "Should" to make recommendations or give advice. For example: When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in Potsdam. You should focus more on family and less on work. 3
Use 'may' or might to suggest something is possible. For example: David may invite Jessica to the match. She might be at home by now but it's not sure at all. It might rain this afternoon. I might not have time to go to the shops for you. Situation Modal verbs Must Should May Might Obligation Recommendation Suggest something is possible 4
Now, let s practice! I.- Now read the following sentences and circle the correct answer. 1.- You cross the street, the traffic light is still green. a) shouldn t b) mustn t c) might not 2.- I think, you take it easy. a) must b) should c) may 3.- My mother told me I not forget to buy some bread. a) might b) should c) must 4.- They be away for the weekend but I'm not sure. a) must b) should c) might 5
5.- I think, you accept that job. It is too stressful. a) shouldn t b) may c) must 6.- You be right but I'm going back to check anyway. a) should b) might c) must II. Complete the sentences with the appropriate modal verb. 1.- Nancy said you didn't need to buy her anything for her birthday, but I really think you get her at least some flowers or a nice box of chocolates. 2.- Debbie said she was really busy this week, but I think she show up at the party if she doesn't have to work overtime on Friday. 3.- Oh my God, he's unconscious. Don't move him he have internal injuries. Somebody call an ambulance. 4.- I be at the meeting by 10:00. I will probably have to take a taxi if I want to be on time. 5.- For most people, learning a language is a challenging undertaking. Experts agree that to make the most of language learning experience, you practice the language regularly and push self to maintain old vocabulary while acquiring new words and expressions. 6.- If you are over 18 in California, you take a driver training course to get a driver's license. 6
TIME TO SUM UP In this worksheet we study the use of four modals which are:,, and. When we talk about recommendations, we use. When we talk about prohibition or necessity, we use. When we talk about possibilities, we use or. 7