Modal Verbs
Modal Verbs
must
maywill
should
can
Which of these is NOT a modal verb?
A modal verb is also known as a helping verb. It gives additional information about the main verb that follows it. Examples:
They must go out .
Must: ObligationThey go out .
Present simple
They should go out .
Should: Advice
They may go out .
May: possibilityThey can go out .
Can: permission
They will go out .
Will: Future tense
Subject
Modal verb
Main verb
Complement
I We
TheyYouHeSheIt
must
can
should
may
will
go to sleep.
drink some water.
eat some food.
do some exercise.
Use the basic form or INFINITIVE of the main verbs after the modal verbs.
Exercise 1:
1. You must (coming / come / came) back home early.
2. My mother can (cooked / cooking / cook) seafood hotpot.
3. I may (finish / finished / finishing) my homework today.
4. Should I (turning / turned / turn) off the TV?
5. My daddy will (bought / buy / buying) me a robot.
_____
_____
_____
____
____
Let’s look at the modal verbs of deduction.
Use:• Must: when I’m 100% sure that something
is possible.
• May (not) and might (not): when I’m unsure about something.
• Can’t: when I’m sure that something is not possible.
Let’s practise. Look at the pictures of some celebrities when they were young. Guess
who they are!
Use:• Must or can’t if you’re sure• May (not) or might (not) if you are unsure.
Who is it?
can’t/must/may (not)/might (not)/
He…
be…
He _______ be …
•Michael Jackson?
•Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat, Ali G)?
•David Beckham?
•or Eminem?
Who’s that?
Use modal verbs to make your deductions.
• Lady Gaga?
• Madonna?
• Scarlett Johanson?
• Eva Longoria?
• Or Britney Spears?
Who is it?
She _______ be …
• Lady Gaga?
• Madonna?
• Britney Spears?
• Sarah Jessica Parker?
Who is it?
He ________ be …
•Tom Cruise
•Jack Nicholson
•Leonardo di Caprio
•Orlando Bloom
Who is it?
She _____ be …
• Kylie Minogue
• Madonna
• Kim Cattrall
• Charlize Theron
Who is it?
He ________ be …
•Paul McCartney
•Jack Nicholson
•Leonardo di Caprio
•John Lennon
The End