ESL Short Subject
Modals
Intensive Course in Research Writing
Texas A&M University
July 11-15, 2011
Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS
susan@words-world.net
WordsWorld Consulting
www.words-world.net
Modals
Auxiliaries that add a specific
meaning to a verb
Most common: can, could, may,
might, must, should
Others: ought to/have to, had better,
have to, will, would, would rather,
would like
Modals
Show the difference between facts,
inferences, and possibilities
Modal errors can considerably affect
reader’s ability to understand meaning
Common Problems
Wrong modal chosen to express
intended meaning
Modal verb phrase incorrectly formed
Time reference of modal verb phrase
is incorrect
Formation of Modal Verb Phrases
Present time
modal + base form
What does he usually do for exercise?
He might exercise at the gym, but I’m not
sure that he definitely does.
(time = present habitual)
modal + be + present participle
What is he doing right now?
He might be exercising at the gym.
(time = right now)
Formation of Modal Verb Phrases
Future time
modal + base form
What is he going to do tomorrow night?
He might exercise at the gym.
(time = future)
Formation of Modal Verb Phrases
Past time
modal + have + past participle
What did he do last night?
He might have exercised at the gym.
(time = past)
modal + have + been + present participle
What was he doing when you called last night?
He might have been exercising at the gym.
(time = past with an emphasis on duration)
Formation of Modal Verb Phrases
ought to and have to
The modals ought to and have to in the present and
in the past have a preposition to in the modal verb
phrase. The other modals do not.
We ought to/have to study before the test. (present)
We ought to have studied more than we did. (past)
We had to study hard before the test. (past)
versus
We should study before the test.
We should have studied hard before the test.
Functions of Modals
CAN
to show ability
I can run 2 miles.
to suggest a possibility or to give an option
Students can pre-enroll for certain courses.
to ask for or to give permission
Can I call you?
You can leave when your work is done.
to show impossibility
It cannot be Jim standing over there. He went
away for the weekend.
Functions of Modals
COULD
to show past ability
I could run 12 miles when I was in college.
to ask a polite question
Could I call you?
to show possibility
Why isn’t Mary here? She could be busy.
to show impossibility
He could not be here at work. He is out of town.
Functions of Modals
COULD
to suggest a possibility or to give an option
You could try going to Dr. Davis to see if he
can help.
show a past opportunity that was not realized
I could have asked for help with the project,
but I wanted to do it myself.
Functions of Modals
MAY
to ask for or to give permission (formal)
May I call you?
You may leave when your work is done.
to show possibility
The instructor may come to class late today.
Functions of Modals
MIGHT
to show possibility
The instructor might come to class late today.
Functions of Modals
SHOULD
to show advisability
You should try that new restaurant downtown.
to show advisability after the fact
We should have tried that new restaurant downtown. But
we did not.
to show obligation
I should renew my driver’s license. It expires next month.
to show an obligation that was not carried out
I should have renewed my driver’s license. But I forgot to
do so.
Functions of Modals
SHOULD
to show expectation
You should receive my letter in two days.
to show an expectation that was not realized
You should have received my letter two days ago. But
you did not.
Functions of Modals
HAD BETTER
to show advisability
We had better leave. It is getting late.
Functions of Modals
MUST
to show probability or to make a logical assumption
Jan must be out this evening. She does not
answer her telephone.
to show necessity
I must call my parents tonight. I have not talked
to them in a long time.
to show prohibition
You must not smoke in the building at any time.
Functions of Modals
HAVE TO
to show necessity
Mike has to make up the chemistry lab he missed.
to show lack of necessity
I am glad that I do not have to cook tonight.
Functions of Modals
WILL
to indicate future time
I will leave for the airport early on Saturday.
to make a promise or to show willingness
The federal government will provide assistance to the
flood victims.
to state a general truth
The new car they have developed will run on either
gasoline or ethanol.
to ask a polite question
Mike, will you help me lift these boxes? (Note: time = now)
Functions of Modals
WOULD
to ask a polite question
Would you please call me later tonight?
to indicate a repeated action in the past
When I lived in Detroit, I would wash my car
every weekend.
to indicate future time in a sentence that is in the past
Mark promised that he would help me learn the
new software.
Functions of Modals
WOULD RATHER
to show a preference
I would rather work late every night than come
in on Saturday.
Functions of Modals
WOULD LIKE
to express a desire
I would like to go to music school.
To express a desire that was not realized
I would have liked to have gone to music
school. But I did not.
Functions of Modals
Use modals to adjust the degree of certainty
Assertion of fact
Assertion showing capability
Prediction showing certainty
Prediction showing probability
Prediction showing possibility
none
can
will
should
may, might, could
Example: Aspirin reduces (the) pain.
Functions of Modals
Use modals to adjust the degree of obligation
Assertion of fact
Requirement
Strong recommendation/advice
Opportunity or option
Suggestion
none
must
should
can
could, might
Example: Researchers use the library...