3. Why do we use modals?
obligations
suggestions
advise
expectations
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4. Modal or modal auxiliaries change the meaning
of the base verb. The meaning changes
according to the context of the sentence.
• We should allow him to stay
• I want to be a good person
• She can be a good person
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5. Two types of modals:
1. Simple modals : for
the present and
future
2.Perfect modals: to
show necessity in
the past tense.
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6. Simple modals:
Present and future
Modal + base form
• Examples:
– We should invite your friend to my party.
– We could buy some soda if you have money.
– You might want to call your mom and tell her you
are at a friend’s house.
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7. Perfect modals:
past
Modal + have + past participle
• Examples:
– You should have called me last night.
– Mary should have done her homework this week.
– We should not have made a big mess here.
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8. Showing strong necessity:
Must I must go to sleep!
Have to I have to go to sleep!
Have got to I have got to go to sleep!
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9. You use Had better for a WARNING!
RECOMMENDATIONS, or DESPERATION.
You had better bring your portfolio with you today.
recommendation
That bus had better get here soon!
desperate hope
You had better watch the way you talk to me in the
future!
warning
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10. Use Should to offer advise
Should means…it would be a good idea.
You should eat something you are hungry.
You should read a book and turn off the television.
They should stop being so loud.
We should have a party at the beach.
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11. Use
Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
You can also
use:
had better
recommen
dation
1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO"
People should unplug toasters before
they clean them.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR
"OUGHT TO HAVE"
You should have unplugged the
toaster before you tried to clean it.
3. You had better unplug the toaster
before you try to clean it.
1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR
"OUGHT TO"
People shouldn't clean toasters
without unplugging them first.
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR
"OUGHT TO HAVE"
You shouldn't have cleaned the
toaster without unplugging it
first.
3. You had better not clean the
toaster until you unplug it.
should,
ought to
had better
desperate
hope,
warning
The movie had better end soon.
They had better be here before we start
dinner.
Desperate hopes and warnings usually
refer to the near future.
They had better not be late.
They had better not forget Tom's
birthday gift.
Desperate hopes and warnings
usually refer to the near future.
Irregular modal verbs in the past and future
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12. Could or might are more gentle than
should….
You could read a book.
You should read a book.
They might like the movie.
They should like the movie.
We could buy some candy.
We should buy some candy.
I might play basketball.
I should play basketball.
He could win your blue marble.
He should win your blue marble.
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13. Meanings of modals 1
Modals Definition Examples
can to express ability or opportunity,
to request or offer permission,
and to show possibility or
impossibility.
I can play football. ability
We can stay with my brother when we
are in Paris. opportunity
She cannot stay out after 10 PM.
permission
Can you hand me the stapler? request
Any child can grow up to be Prime
Minister. possibility
could to express possibility or past
ability as well as to make
suggestions and requests.
Extreme rain could cause the river to
flood the city. possibility
Awang could ski like a pro by the age of
11. past ability
You could see a movie or go out to
dinner. suggestion
Could I use your computer to email my
lecturer? request
We could go on the trip if I didn't have
to work this weekend. conditional
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14. Meanings of modals 2
Modals Definition Examples
have to to express certainty, necessity, and
obligation.
This answer has to be correct. certainty
The soup has to be stirred continuously
to prevent burning. necessity
They have to leave early. obligation
have got
to
to express necessity and
obligation.
Drivers have got to get a license to drive
a car in the US. necessity
I have got to be at work by 8:30 AM.
obligation
may to express possibility or request
permission
Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at
work. possibility
John, you may leave the room when you
have finished your assignment. give
permission
May I use your bathroom? request
permission
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15. Meanings of modals 3
Modals Definition Examples
might to express possibility. Can also use
to make suggestions or requests
Your purse might be in the living room.
possibility
If I didn't have to work, I might go with
you. conditional
You might visit the botanical gardens
during your visit. suggestion
Might I borrow your pen? request
must to express certainty, to express
necessity or strong
recommendation,
This must be the right address! certainty
Students must pass an entrance
examination to study at this school.
necessity
You must take some medicine for that
cough. strong recommendation
Jenny, you must not play in the street!
prohibition
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16. Meanings of modals 4
Modals Definition Examples
ought to to advise or make
recommendations, also expresses
assumption or expectation as well
as strong probability, often with
the idea that something is
deserved.
You ought to stop smoking.
recommendation
Jim ought to get the promotion. It is
expected because he deserves it.
This stock ought to increase in value.
probability
Mark ought not drink so much. advice
against something (notice there is no
"to")
shall to indicate future action.
commonly used in sentences with
"I" or "we," and is often found in
suggestions, also frequently used
in promises or voluntary actions.
In formal English, the use of
"shall" to describe future events
often expresses inevitability or
predestination.
Shall I help you? suggestion
I shall never forget where I came from.
promise
He shall become our next king.
predestination
I'm afraid Mr. Smith shall become our
new director. inevitability
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17. Meanings of modals 5
Modals Definition Examples
should to make recommendations or give
advice. It can also be used to
express obligation as well as
expectation.
When you go to Miri, you should visit
Mulu. recommendation
You should focus more on your family
and less on work. advice
I really should be in the office by 7:00
AM. obligation
By now, they should already be in Dubai.
expectation
will used with promises or voluntary
actions that take place in the
future. Can also be used to make
predictions about the future
I promise that I will call you every single
day. promise
I will make dinner tonight. voluntary
action
He thinks it will rain tomorrow.
prediction
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18. Meanings of modals 6
Modals Definition Examples
would used to create conditional verb
forms. It also serves as the past
form of the modal verb "will."
"would" can also indicate
repetition in the past.
If he were an actor, he would be in
adventure movies. conditional
I knew that she would be very
successful in her career. past of "will"
When they first met, they would always
have picnics on the beach. repetition
used with promises or voluntary
actions that take place in the
future. Can also be used to make
predictions about the future
I promise that I will call you every single
day. promise
I will make dinner tonight. voluntary
action
He thinks it will rain tomorrow.
prediction
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19. Modals
Simple I could swim at the beach.
Continuous I could be swimming at the beach right now.
Perfect I could have swum at the beach yesterday.
Perfect Continuous I could have been swimming at the beach
instead of working in the office.
Passive Modal Simple The room should be cleaned once a day.
Passive Modal Continuous The room should be being cleaned now.
Passive Modal Perfect The room should have been cleaned yesterday.
Modal verbs used in variety of forms
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20. Sentence pairs:
He must be here because I see his
jacket on his chair.
I should buy a
present
because it is Julie’s
birthday.
You could call me
tonight
since you will be at
home.
They should come to
my house
to play Nintendo.
He could win a prize if he turns in his
raffle ticket.
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21. Conversation cards: Small
group discussions
Why should
the school
day be
shorter?
Name three
things you
should not do
in class.
What could
you do to be a
good friend?
What would
you do if you
won a million
dollars?
If you could
meet one
famous
person, who
would it be?
What might
happen if pigs
could fly?
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