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Modal Verbs

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6 views

Modal Verbs

Uploaded by

andreia.vale.07
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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a world of
many
languages

Modal verbs
Modal verbs

A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to


express modality (probability, ability, permission,
obligation, prohibition, advice…).
Modal verbs
can have more than one meaning

A modal verb can have more than one meaning depending on:
 the intention of the speaker.
We can connect so fast now (…). possibility

 the context.
I can speak English with my foreign friends. ability

 the degree of formality.


Can I go out with my cyber friends tonight? informal permission
Modal verbs
meanings/ functions

ABILITY INABILITY
 can  can’t
 could  couldn’t
 be able to  not be able to
Modal verbs
meanings/ functions

NECESSITY NON
 need to NECESSITY
 must  needn’t
 have to  don’t need to
 don’t have to
Modal verbs
meanings/ functions

OBLIGATION/ PERMISSION
DUTY  can
 must  could
 have to  may
 had to
Modal verbs
meanings/ functions

POSSIBILITY IMPOSSIBILI
 can TY
 could  can’t
 may  couldn’t
 might  may not
 might not
Modal verbs
meanings/ functions

PROHIBITIO ADVICE
N  should/
 mustn’t shouldn’t
 ought to/
ought not to
Choose the most suitable modal verb to complete each
sentence.

can
1. James is bilingual. He _______ (must/ can/ may) speak both
English and German.

2. You _______
should (can/ should/ are able to) be aware of the dangers of
the Internet.

3. Parents _______
must (may/ can/ must) advise their children not to share
personal data online.

4. _______
May (Might/ May/ Must) I borrow your laptop?

5. When Jane was 5, shecouldn’t


_______ (can’t/ didn’t have to/ couldn’t)
surf on the Internet.

6. You _______
needn’t (needn’t/ can’t/ may not) go home so early. Your
parents told us you could stay until 11 p.m..
Rewrite the sentences using a modal verb.

should/ ought to may/can must/have to

1. Students are forbidden to eat in the classroom.


Students __________________________________________.
mustn’t eat in the classroom

2. I advise you not to accept all friendship requests.


You _______________________________________________.
shouldn’t/ ought not to accept all friendship requests

3. It is possible that my parents will come home tonight. They already left
Paris this afternoon.
They ______________________________________________.
may/ can come home tonight.

4. Students are obliged to attend classes.


Students ___________________________________________.
must/ have to attend classes

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