Modal Verbs

 

How to Identify an Auxiliary Verb and Modal Verbs Unlike the main auxiliary verbs, you can’t conjugate modal verbs, and they can’t establish verb tense (unless there’s also an auxiliary verb in the sentence). What Are Modal Verbs? Modal Verbs are type of auxiliary verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or obligation. Modal verbs include: can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, must   can/ could/ be able to used to express Ability, Possibility  subject + can + base form of the verb   subject can   + base form of the verb could shall should would  EXAMPLE: Tom can write poetry very well.   ACTIVITY:  IDENTIFYING Modal Verbs Look at the parentheses Select which word is the correct modal verbs to complete each sentence?   I ________ help you with that next week. (can, could, shall, should, would) You ________ heal now. (can, could, shall, should, would) We ________ clean the house tomorrow. (can, could, shall, should, would) 4.       When I was a child I ________ climb trees. ( could, shall, should, would) ________ you like some tea? (Can, Could, Shall, Should, Would) You ________ catch that train at 10:43. (can, could, shall, should, would)       can't, could not, shall not, shouldn’t, wouldn’t used to express Lack of Ability, Impossibility in express negative form of a sentence. Use contraction to shorten word (can not - can't)  subject + can't + base form of the verb     subject can't   + base form of the verb could not shall not should not would not EXAMPLES: He can't see you right now. He’s in surgery. ACTIVITY:  IDENTIFYING Modal Verbs can't, could not, shall not, shouldn’t, wouldn’t, has not Look at the parentheses underline which word is the correct modal verbs to complete each sentence.   1.       You __________ catch me so easily next time. (could not, shall not) 2.       Lisa __________ speak French. (can't, couldn't, wouldn’t) 3.       When I was a child I __________ climb trees. (can't, couldn't, wouldn’t) 4.       I __________ visit her in the hospital. (wasn't able to, hasn't been able to) 5.       He __________  get in touch with the client yet. (wasn't able to, hasn't been able to) 6.       He __________  reduce the price of apple. (can't, couldn't, wouldn’t)         able to used to express Possibility subject + am / is / are / will be + able to + base form of the verb     subject HELPING VERBS am   + able to   + base form of the verb is will be are  EXAMPLE: Ted will be able to help you in about ten minutes.   To express Lack of Ability, Impossibility in express negative form of a sentence.   subject + am not/ isn’t / aren’t/ won’t be + able to + base form of the verb       subject am not   + able to   + base form of the verb isn’t won’t be aren’t hasn’t been  EXAMPLE: I won't be able to visit you next summer.  ACTIVITY:  IDENTIFYING Modal Verbs able to Look at the parentheses underline which word is the correct modal verbs to complete each sentence. 1. I __________ visit her in the hospital. (wasn't able to, aren’t able to) 2. He __________ get in touch with the client yet.  (wasn't able to, hasn't been able to) 3. I __________ help you after class. (will be able to, was be able to) 4. The baby elephant __________ stand up on its own yet. ( able to, won't be able to) 5. The students __________ play at the park.  (wasn't able to, aren’t able to) 6. I __________  do it. ( am not able to. is not able to)       Ask Permission / Give Permission may, might, may not, might not   Polite Request in negative sentence. Subject +  may not + base form of the verb EXAMPLE: You may not wear sandals to work.   Polite Request in positive sentence. May + subject + base form of the verb EXAMPLE: You may start your exam now.   ACTIVITY: Fill in the correct form of modal verbs (may, might, may not, might not)   1. _________ I sit here? (Might, May) 2. They ________ finish the project on time. The main engineer is ill. (may not, might not) 3. You ________ want to stop by the museum gift shop on your way out. (may might) 4. ________ I have your autograph? (Might, May) 5. He __________ visit the Eiffel Tower. (may might) 6. You _________ park your car here. It’s reserved for guests only. (may not, might not)