Modal Verbs

• What do modal auxiliaries express?

  Ability, request, permission, suggestion, offer, refusal, necessity
• What is an example of ability using a modal auxiliary?

  I can speak French
• How is 'could' used in requests?

  To politely ask someone for a favor
• What is an example of a request using a modal auxiliary?

  Could you do me a favour?
• What does 'can' express in terms of permission?

  It asks for permission to do something
• What is an example of permission using a modal auxiliary?

  Can I use your phone, please?
• What does 'mustn't' indicate?

  It indicates prohibition or something not allowed
• What is an example of a suggestion using a modal auxiliary?

  We could try to get a cheaper flight
• How is 'shall' used in offers?

  To propose assistance or an action
• What is an example of an offer using a modal auxiliary?

  Shall I help you with the dishes?
• What does 'won't' express in terms of refusal?

  It indicates a refusal or unwillingness
• What is an example of refusal using a modal auxiliary?

  My father won't let me go out
• What does 'need' express in terms of necessity?

  It indicates something that must be done
• What is an example of necessity using a modal auxiliary?

  You need to tell Mel about the concert
• What are the different functions of modal auxiliaries?

  • Ability
  • Request
  • Permission
  • Suggestion
  • Offer
  • Refusal
  • Necessity
• How do modal auxiliaries differ from regular verbs?

  They form negatives and questions without 'do'
• What is a substitute for 'can' in other tenses?

  To be able to
• What is a substitute for 'must' in other tenses?

  To have to or to need to
• What are the differences in asking for permission informally and formally?

  Informal:

  • Can you...?
  • Do you think we can...?

  
  

  Formal:

  • Excuse me, could you...?
  • Can you tell me if you're allowed to...?
• How would you ask for permission to fish in a formal context?

  Can you tell me if you're allowed to fish?
• How would you express that you weren't allowed to fish in a text message?

  We weren't allowed to fish there
• What are the key points about using 'be allowed to' for permission?

  • Common in formal situations
  • Used in both past and present tense
  • Indicates permission granted or denied
• What are the characteristics of modal auxiliaries?

  • Only one form
  • Followed by infinitive without 'to'
  • Refer to present or future
  • Can express multiple functions
• What does the sentence "I can speak French" express?

  Ability
• What does the sentence "He refuses to let me back" express?

  Refusal, rejection
• What is being requested in "Could you help me?"

  A request for assistance
• What does the sentence "My sister can't help me" express?

  Ability
• What does "Would you give me her cell phone?" express?

  A request
• What does "You needn't cook today" express?

  Necessity
• What does "You must stay in bed" express?

  Necessity
• What does "You should tell him" express?


  Advice
• What does "That must be Luke" express?

  Possibility, probability, deduction
• What does "No, it can't be. He is in Spain" express?

  Possibility, probability, deduction
• What does "He could be at Grandma's" express?

  Possibility, probability, deduction
• What does "It might still be there" express?

  Possibility, probability, deduction
• What does "Kathy should have arrived here by now" express?

  Possibility, probability, deduction
• What does "There's somebody at the door. That will be Sue" express?

  Possibility, probability, deduction
• What does "They aren't answering. That can't have been easy" express?

  Possibility, probability, deduction
• What does "There wasn't anyone at the reception" express?

  Possibility, probability, deduction
• What does "Would you help me wash dishes?" express?

  A request