Modal Verbs - 10º ano

MODAL VERBSUnit 3.4. Teens Helpline

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa

XPLORE 10


You should talk to your parents.

Teens could be more supportive.

You would lose some weight if you exercised.

Teens might feel pressured by their friends.

should

MODAL VERBSWe use modal verbs to express a range of meanings, such as probability, certainty, possibility, suggestion, advice, ability, etc.


wouldcould

might



a. expresses possibility

b. suggests a course of action

c. expresses high probability

d. gives advice

The Modal Verb used in this sentence…


You would lose some weight if you exercised.




d. gives advice



Teens could be more supportive.




d. gives advice



Teens might feel pressured by their friends.




d. gives advice



MODAL VERBS

infinitivewithout ‘to’

modal verb

You should organise your tasks better.


MODAL VERBS are never used alone

always have the same form

can have more than one meaning

modal + verb You should get help.

You / She could understand this.

interrogative and negative forms are made without the auxiliary to doWould you feel unhappy if your friend didn’t call? Joe shouldn’t refuse his father’s help.


Should is used to:


give advice

You should read this book on peer pressure.

give an opinion or recommendation


Could is used to:

You could talk to your teacher about your problem.

express possibility

We could ask for my father’s assistance. suggest a course of action

Teens could be less rebellious if parents were more tolerant.

describe a hypothetical situation


Would is used to:

It would be great to overcome our fears. express possibility / high probability

Teenagers would be very upset about losing their mobile phones.

express certainty / prediction

I would tell my parents if I were in your situation.

describe a hypothetical situation


Might is used to:

She might want to visit her grandparents. give polite advice / make polite suggestions

They might get excited about the next debate on peer pressure.

express possibility

Now Practise!


Choose the correct modal verb.

1. You demand to be treated fairly.


should

would

2. We check some websites to get some information.

would could

3. This website help you.should

might

4. you like to go to a different school?Would

Could

5. He stay if he behaved correctly.should

could

6. You break the rules at school.shouldn’t

couldn’t

Complete the sentences with modal verbs.

1. You _______ be careful about meeting online friends.


should

2. Parents _______ put too much pressure on teenagers.

3. Try talking to an adult that you ________ feel at ease with to discuss your problems.

4. You _______ save yourself from heartbreak if you just confided in someone.

5. I ________ see a psychiatrist if I were you.

6. I _______ be able to get good results in my final exam.

might

would

could

would

might

Replace the underlined part of these sentences by a modal verb.

1. It is possible to be bullied online.


2. My parents weren’t able to understand how I felt.

You might / could be bullied online.

My parents couldn’t understand how I felt.

3. You’d better talk to an adult about your fears.You should talk to an adult about your fears.

4. Are you willing to help me?Would you help me?

Further Practice!


Modal Verbs Quiz 1

Modal Verbs – Reference + Quiz

http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal6.htm

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/verbs/modal-verbs/certain-probable-or-possible

Education

Modal Verbs - 10º ano