Grammar Reference: Modal Verbs Can I go to the toilet? You should

• Grammar Reference: Modal Verbs

• Can I go to the toilet?

• You should stop smoking!

• If you want a healthier life, you must change your habits.

• Modal Verbs are a type of auxiliary verb.

• They are also called auxiliary verbs and are used with the main verb to form a statement or question.

• After the modal verbs we always use the infinitive.

• Some MODAL VERBS in English are:

• Indicates POSSIBILITY or ABILITY.

• In questions, CAN asks for permission or about possibilities.

• Drinking too much alcohol can be dangerous to your health.
• I can speak four languages fluently.

• Can I go to the toilet?
• Who can help me with my homework?

• Indicates POSSIBILITY or ABILITY in the PAST.

• COULD is also used to state hypothesis and make speculation.

• The accident could have killed you.
• When I was a child, I couldn’t play soccer very well.

• If I had time, I could spend more time with my family.
• In this case, he could be the victim.

• Indicates an OBLIGATION or PROHIBITION.

• MUST is used to say that we are sure something is true.

• You must turn off your phones inside the classroom.
• You mustn’t smoke inside this building.

• You live downtown, right? Your house must be very noisy.
• He must be very rich! Look at his expensive car.

• Indicate an UNCERTAIN ACTION.

• MAY can also be used to ask for permission in formal situations.

• I don’t know where he is. He may (might) be in his office.
• The shop may (might) give us a discount in the next purchase.

• May I drink some water?
• May I have another slice of pizza?

• Indicate suggestion or recommendation.

• SHOULD is also used to say what is correct in a situation or refer to an uncertain prediction.

• You should eat less if you want to lose weight.
• You should study more. Your grades are not good.

• The Police should arrest that man soon.
• The price of the gas should increase in the next weeks.

AND YOU?

• What couldn’t you do when you were a child that you can do now?

• In order to have a healthier life, what should you do less or more?

• List some of the things you must and you mustn’t do in your classroom.