Modals Verbs

MODALS VERBS 


Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that can not function as a main verb, unlike the auxiliary verbs "be", "do" and "have" that can function as a main verb. Modal verbs express modality. They can express ability, possibility, need or other condition. They are auxiliary verbs of the future and the conditional.

The following words are modal verbs: Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Shall, Should, Will, Would.

They are modal auxiliary verbs that provide additional information about the verb that follows it.

Modal verbs are used to express ability, obligation, permission, assumptions, probability and possibility, requests and offers, and advice. Each modal verb can have more than meaning which depends on the context of that sentence (or question).

• You can go now. (= permission)
• I can play the guitar. (= ability)

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STRUCTURE WITH MODALS VERBS 

A Modal verb is followed by another verb in the base form (the infinitive without the 'To') and they are not conjugated (we don't add an 'S' in third person). See the following structure:

Subject + Modal Verb + Verb (base form of the infinitive)

• I can speak English (NOT: I can to speak English)
• He can speak Spanish (NOT: He can speaks Spanish)
• She can speak Spanish (NOT: She cans speak Spanish)

Modal Verbs in Negative Sentences

Subject + Modal Verb + not + Verb (base form of the infinitive)

• You must not walk on the grass. (= You mustn't walk on the grass.)
• He cannot speak Arabic. (= He can't speak Arabic.)
• We should not be late. (= We shouldn't be late.)

As you can see in the examples above, contractions of the Modal verb + not are normally possible.

The negative of can is cannot ('not' is joined to 'can') and the contraction is can't

Modal Verbs in Questions

Modal Verb + Subject + Verb (base form of the infinitive)

• May I help you?
• Can I have another piece of cake please?
• Would you like to come with us?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk9nQwoCFig

EXERCISES:

1) 

you swim when you were 10?

2) You 

tell anyone what I just told you. It's a secret.

3) You 

(practise) a lot before you gave your speech. It was really good.

4) The food is really good at that restaurant. They 

have a great chef.