Modal verbs

MODAL VERBS

needn’t
must – have to / have got to
can – could
may – might
will – would
shall – should – ought to

• They take no “-s” in the third person singular (except for have to and need). Eg. She can swim. But: He needs to read the article.
• We do not use do/does with modal verbs to form negatives, questions or short answers.



• They come before the subject in questions and are followed by 'not' in negations. (Except for ought to).



• Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to. Eg. Sorry, I can't come.

MADAL VERBS

The machine can be used for cutting bread.

be + V3

will can may must should ought to have to

These words don’t have to be learnt by heart.
People in hospitals ought to be visited.
Difficult rules must be explained.

Modal Verbs + Passive Voice

We use modal verbs before other verbs to add a special meaning
to a sentence.
Modal verbs are used to express:
Special meanings

• Ability – способность, умение
• Possibility – возможность
• Probability – вероятность
• logical assumptions – предположение
• Permission – разрешение
• Requests – просьба
• Offers – предложение
• Suggestions – предложение
• Advice – совет
• Criticism –
• Obligation – обязательство
• Prohibition – запрещение
• Necessity – необходимость

Functions of MODAL VERBS
Functions of MODAL VERBS

Modal Verb

Ability – способности, умение

Possibility – возможность

Probability – вероятность

logicalassumptions – предположение

Permission – разрешение

Requests – просьба

Offers – предложение

Suggestions – предложение

Advice – совет

Criticism –

Obligation – обязательство

Prohibition – запрещение

Necessity – необходимость

can

+

+

+

+

+

+

can ’t

+

could

+

+

+

+

+

+

couldn’t

+

will be able to

+

may

+

+

+

might

+

+

+

must

+

mustn’t

+

have to

+

will

would

shall

should

+

shouldn’t

+

needn’t

ought to

CAN
could/
was
were
can
-
will be able to/
won’t be able to
able to

• мочь,
• быть в состоянии,
• иметь возможность

Mind!
might
may
be allowed to

• мочь, иметь возможность;
• быть вероятным

• может быть

But!
может быть
возможно
Can – неофициально
May* – официально
Asking for permission:
*May I… and Could I… are equally polite.
Could* – более вежливо и официальнее
Might – более официально
Can I borrow your pen?
Could I borrow your car?
May I use your phone?
Might I see your driving licence, please?
can (informal) / could (more formal and polite)
Eg. ~ Can / Could I interrupt you for a second?
may (formal) /
might (very formal)
Eg. ~ May / Might I speak to the bank manager, please?
can (informal; giving permission)

Note: could is not used in the present to give permission
may (formal; giving permission - also used in written notices or formal announcements)
mustn't / can't (informal - refusing permission)
may not (formal - refusing permission)
Eg. Can I use your phone? ~ Of course you can. (informal)
Eg. Could I use your phone? ~ Of course you can. • (NOT: Of course you could)

Eg. May I use your phone? ~ Certainly you may. (formal) Luggage may be left here. (written notice)

Eg. ~ I'm afraid you can't / mustn't enter the room.
Eg. Rubbish may not be left here. (written notice)
Asking for permission:
Giving or refusing permission: