Modal verbs

 

She can swim. (NOT She eaas s·uim.)

It may rain tomorrow.

 

,::>.

2•. ·M s·i l;),arefoftow 'by·t te·

ci JfiQiti e·withoot/o

I must go. (I must te ge.) Should I phone Ann?

 

 

4. Modal verbs have no infinitives or past participles.

We use other expressions instead.

When will you be able to pay? (When ·.viii yeu can pay?)

I've never been able to understand her.

(J'ye never ceuld,,,)

You'll have to work harder next year. (You'll must...)

 

Meaning and use

 

Probability and certainty

It must be true.

It may be true.

It could be true.

It might be true.

It can't be true.

It will rain tomorrow.

It might snow, but it's not very likely.

If you go on this holiday, you may win $1,000,000.

You would feel much better if you went to bed.

 

Permission and obligation

Can I go home early today?

Excuse me. Could I speak to you for a moment? (More polite than Can I... ?)

You can borrow my coat if you like. Applicants must be able to swim.

I

Children should do some of the housework themselves. You ought to stop smoking.

 

Past permission and obligation

I was allowed to go home early yesterday.

(I cmdd...)

My father had to work very hard when he was young.

(My father mHsted...)

 

Ability

I can sing.

I can't dance.

'Can you swim?' 'Yes, I can.'

Sorry, I can't see you tomorrow.

The government cannot please everybody.

(NOTE: cannot is written as one word.)

I could swim very well when I was younger.

If I bad more time I could learn another language.

(=... I would be able to learn...)

 

Offering and asking

Can I help you?

Could you speak more slowly, please?

Shall I carry your bag?

Would you like a cup of tea?

 

Pronunciation: strong and weak forms

 

I can /kan/ swim, but I can't /ka:nt/ dance. Yes, I can /kam/.

You must /mast/ try harder.

You mustn't /'mAsnt/ say anything to Ann. Yes, I must /mAst!.

 

NOTE: can't is prooouneed..fkd:Ol'B

and /k:entl in American English::···•:·

 

I

 

Had better and used to

 

I used to be very shy, but now I'm OK.

People didn't use to travel by car.

Did you use to collect stamps when you were

younger?