Transcript Document
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Similar Expressions
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To begin with
Verbs are generally divided into two main classes:
Lexical Verbs
and
Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs are further divided into three groups:
Principle Auxiliary
e.g. all Dummies
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Semi Auxiliary
expressions e.g. Has to, Have to
Modal Auxiliary
e.g. will, shall, can etc
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Continued:
Modal Auxiliary Verbs: Are also called modal verbs. The term modal
auxiliary is composed of two words.
Modal and Auxiliary
1.Modal is translated into two ways:
According to grammar modal means mood or state.
According to grammar auxiliary means helping or helpful.
So, modal auxiliary basically means helping mood or verb.
In English grammar modal auxiliary verbs are used for the following purposes:
A: To show the mood of verb in a sentence. e.g.
He can cook fried chicken.
Note: In above example the word (can) is modal auxiliary verb showing ability. So this
ability by itself is a mood.
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Continued:
Modal auxiliary verbs are used to add additional
meaning to the main verb of the sentence such as:
Ability, Possibility, advisability, necessity, permission,
request, suggestion…
E.g. I speak English.
I can speak English.
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Usages of Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Primary Usage: The most common use of the modals is
called primary usage.
Can: Ability
E.g. I can drive a truck.
Secondary Usages: The other usages of modals are
called secondary usage.
Can: Possibility, Permission, Request
E.g. Can I use your phone please?
(class examples)
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Similar Expressions and Semi-Modals
Expressions which are used to substitute the modals
with the same meaning are called similar expressions
to modals.
E.g. Be able to, Be supposed to, Be going to
(class examples)
*************************************************
Words that somehow have the characteristics of
modals are called Semi-modals.
E.g. Need, Dare (class examples )
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THE FORM OF MODAL AUXILIARIES
AUXILIARY + SIMPLE FORM OF VERB
should
(e) Inga should go inside.
had better
(f) You had better go inside.
must
(g) He must be gentle with the cat.
will
(h) They will attend the recital.
would
(i) I would like to meet her.
THE FORM OF MODAL AUXILIARIES
AUXILIARY + SIMPLE FORM OF VERB
could
must
can
will
may
might
would
should
had better
not followed by to
Inga can to play the violin.
THE FORM OF MODAL AUXILIARIES
AUXILIARY + SIMPLE FORM OF VERB
could
must
can
will
may
might
would
should
had better
no final -s
Inga can plays the violin.
THE FORM OF MODAL AUXILIARIES
AUXILIARY + SIMPLE FORM OF VERB
could
must
can
will
may
might
would
should
had better
not in past form
Inga can played the violin.
THE FORM OF MODAL AUXILIARIES
AUXILIARY + SIMPLE FORM OF VERB
could
must
can
will
may
might
would
should
had better
not in -ing form
Inga can playing the violin.
Expressing Ability
We use Can, Could, =Be able to
We can use “can=be able to” for present ability.
E.g. I can speak French.
I am able to speak French.
Use of “ COULD”
We can use “could=be able to” for past ability.
E.g. I could play cricket when I was a kid.
I was able to play cricket two years ago.
John is not here. He could be at the room. ( present possibility)
Its cloudy today. It could rain any time. ( future possibility)
(class practice)
(class practice for secondary usage of Could?)
We can also use “can=be able to” for future ability.
For example: ?
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Alternatives for “could”
Could I open the door?
Should I open the door?
May I open the door?
Shall I open the door ?
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I Rewrite the sentences. Use “CAN” for ability.
1.
He’s able to drive a car.
He can drive a car.
2.
My daughter is capable of playing piano beautifully.
My daughter can play piano beautifully.
3.
She’s an excellent secretary. She has the ability to type
80 words a minute.
She can type 80 words a minute.
class examples
“can” to be used to show ability
4.
Most adults are unable to use a computer.
Most adults can’t use a computer.
4.
A recent investigation shows that 65% of high school
students don’t know how to use a calculator.
... 65% of high school students can’t use a calculator.
Only 2% of Chileans can speak English fluently.
5.
Only 2% of Chileans are able to speak English fluently.
students examples
Different ways to express ability
Can
Be able to
Be capable of (ING)
Have the ability to
Know how to
e.g I (can/am able to/have the ability to/am
capable of/know how to) drive a car.
CAN / MAY are used to indicate a present or
future POSSIBILITY
e.g.
The price may / can be found at the
back of the book.
(It’s possible to find the price at the back of the book)
EXPRESSING POSSIBILITY: MAY AND MIGHT
EXPRESSING PERMISSION: MAY AND CAN
(f) Maybe it will snow tomorrow.
maybe
“possibly”
COMPARE
(g) Maybe the test will be hard.
beginning of sentence
adverb
(h) The test may be hard.
verb
may be =
may + the main verb be
(class practice)
Note: “Maybe” together as Adverb while “May be” separately as Verb
Written class practice
II Rewrite the sentences. Use “MAY” or “CAN” for possibility.
1.
Due to the repairs, trains are possibly subject to delay.
Due to the repairs, trains may be subject to delay.
2. It’s possible that we face an energy crisis this winter.
We may face an energy crisis this winter.
3.
Maybe we’ll change room for the next test since the room
is very small.
We may change room for the next test since the room ...
Note: “May” and “Might” express possibility in the present or in the future. For
example
A. It may rain tomorrow.
B. It might rain tomorrow.
Continued
4.
Perhaps agronomists will have to test the soil
because they’ve found traces of pollutants.
Agronomists may have to test the soil because ...
5.
Let’s not wait any longer. It’s possible that he won’t
come today.
He may not come today.
6.
It’s possible that ships won’t dock in the harbor
because of the rain.
Ships may not dock in the harbor because of the rain.
CAN / MAY are also used to give PERMISSION.
For example:
You can / may speak to the patient just a few minutes.
(You’re allowed to speak to the patient just a few minutes)
Asking for Permission
We can use May, Can, Could,
When these auxiliaries are used before the subject, it
means that the speaker is making a request.
E.g. May/can/could I come in?
Note: “May” and “Might” express possibility in the
present or in the future. For example
a. It may rain tomorrow.
b. It might rain tomorrow.
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“May, Can and Could”
“May” and “Could” however are more formal and more
polite as compared to “Can”.
Examples:
Can I come in ?
May I come in please?
Could I come in please?
Class practice for “ Can” and “May”
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POLITE QUESTION: WOULD YOU, COULD YOU,
WILL YOU, CAN YOU
POLITE QUESTION
POLITE ANSWERS
(a) Would you please
explain that again?
Yes.
(b) Could you please
explain that again?
(c) Will you please
explain that again?
(d) Can you please
explain that again?
Sure.
Yes. Of course.
Certainly.
Of course. I’d be glad to.
I’m sorry. I don’t have time.
basically the same meaning
Uh-huh.
Okay.
EXPRESSING ADVICE: HAD BETTER
(a) I have a headache. I
should
ought to
had better
take a nap.
should
ought to
had better
same
meaning
good idea, good advice
Common usages of “Should, ought to, must”:
EXPRESSING ADVICE: HAD BETTER
(b) He’d better be careful. His pan is on fire!
Had better usually = warning
LET’S PRACTICE
You’d better quit watching
TV all day.
Possible bad results?
eat too much
catch a cold
hurt your eyes
not study enough
not exercise enough
LET’S PRACTICE
He’d better not walk there.
Possible bad results?
fall
get hurt
get the flu
be embarrassed
fail a test
LET’S PRACTICE
He’d better stay awake in school.
Possible bad results?
miss something
get hurt
get in trouble
fail a test
get the flu
EXPRESSING NECESSITY: HAVE TO, HAVE GOT TO, MUST
This man has to wear ear protection.
EXPRESSING NECESSITY: HAVE TO, HAVE GOT TO, MUST
PRONUNCIATION
(h) I have to (“hafta”) call my mom.
(i) Jason has to (“hasta”) work tomorrow.
(j) I’ve got to (“gotta”) cook dinner tonight.
/hӕftә/ or /hӕftu/
/hӕstә/ or /hӕstu/
/gadә/
or /gәtә/
EXPRESSING NECESSITY: HAVE TO, HAVE GOT TO, MUST
(a) I want to become a doctor.
have to
I
have got to go to medical school.
must
have to
have got to
had better
something is necessary
same
meaning
EXPRESSING NECESSITY: HAVE TO, HAVE GOT TO, MUST
(b) I have to go to soccer practice.
(c) We’ve got to go home.
(d) Everyone must wear a seatbelt
on an airplane.
have to
have got to
must
common
informal conversation
written instructions
IMPERATIVE SENTENCES
COMMAND
REQUEST
DIRECTIONS
(a) Sit down!
(b) Sit down, please.
(c) Site down and waite until the result is announced.
give commands
make polite requests
give directions
imperative
sentences