Modal Verbs
What we will learn today
• Recognize what modals are
• Identify the variety of uses of
modals in expressing meaning
• Use modals in writing
What are modal verbs?
• Helping verbs used together with base
form of main verbs
• Express different types of meanings
Examples of modals
Could
Would
Can
Must May
Might
Shall
Will
Should
Where are modals put in a
sentence?
I shall be leaving when everything is done.
Where are modals put in a
sentence?
I shall be leaving when everything is done.
Shall Be Leaving
Where are modals put in a
sentence?
will punish
can swim
Base form verbs are used after
modals
will punish
can swim
Base form verbs are used after
modals
will punish
can swim
I shall be leaving.
Base form verbs are used after
modals
will punish
can swim
I shall be leaving.
He could walk yesterday.
Modals have tenses
Normally…
Present Tense Past Tense
Can Could
Will Would
Shall Should
May Might
Modals have tenses
But look at these sentences…
She may be at home.
She might be in school.
Modals have tenses
But look at these sentences…
I shall take part in the competition
next month.
I should be doing my homework
instead of playing games.
Meaning of modals
• Possibility --- How likely / Predictions
• Obligation --- Is supposed to
• Necessity/Insistence ---- Need to/ Have to
• Ability ---- Is able to
Possibility
• Indicate something is likely to
happen.
• Different degrees of likelihood
Could Can Will
Might May Shall Must
Very Very
Unlikely Likely
Possibility
• Indicate something is likely to
happen or to predict
• Different degrees of likelihood
Could Can Will
Cannot Might May Shall Must
Very Very
Unlikely Likely
Obligation
• Used to indicate that an action is
required because someone is
responsible.
Should: Not used as past tense of ‘shall’
Must: Used to give orders that someone is
obliged to follow.
Necessity/Insistence
• To indicate something that is
needed by someone or insisted on
by someone.
Need to: When voicing out what is needed/
insisted on.
Must: To insist on something to be done.
Ability
• To indicate if something can or
cannot be done.
Can Cannot
Could is used to express ability in the past.
(Not to express likelihood in which it can used
in present/past tense)
Group Activity
• Work in your usual groups of fours and label
yourselves 1 to 4.
• Listen to all instructions carefully before
moving off to collect materials/get into
groups.
• You will be practising how to use modals to
show obligation, ability, necessity/insistence
and possibility.
Instructions
• Each group collect a set of materials which
comprises 1 activity sheet and 1 pack of markers.
• The activity will require the group to role play and
think of what 4 different characters will say in
unique situations to show obligation, ability,
necessity/insistence and possibility.
• Each member will present 1 role at the end of
group discussion.
• Discussion can only begin when the online timer
starts ticking--- 10 minutes discussion time will be
given!
OBLIGATION
Four Roles
Mr. Judge: He is always right and always
has advice for everyone.
Superman: He has superpowers that
enables him to do just about
anything and everything!
ABILITY
NECESSITY/INSISTENCE
Bossy Betty: She is always demanding the
others to give in to her and
keeps insisting on her ways.
Old Mr. Think-A-Lot: He is always thinking
POSSIBILITY of things that might
happen.
In a classroom
_________
Mr. Judge who is Superman who has
always right would superpowers would
say “ say “
You should pay attention in I can remember how the human
class so you must not talk to your circulatory system work because
friends. I paid attention!
OBLIGATION ABILITY
Bossy Betty who Old Mr. Think-a-lot
demands a lot would would say “
say
I must talk to my friends in class
even if it makes the teacher I will never be able to finish
unhappy. I need to be heard! all that work by tomorrow.
I could work faster if they
would stop making noise.
NECESSITY/INSISTENCE
POSSIBILITY
_________ _________
MOST IMPORTANTLY
• Ensure the volume of your group’s discussion
does not affect the others.
• Include everyone in the discussion and respect
each other’s views.
• Sound out to the teacher when the group has
trouble agreeing to how things should be done.
• Basic discipline please!
