Modal Verbs
Possibility
CAN YOU GUESS THE PICTURE?
WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS?
Often used to talk about the
future, though sometimes we
want to express possibility in
the present.
Modals of
Possibility
●
Use to describe a possible
action that is uncertain.
●
I may go traveling next year.
(future possibility)
We might not leave our
houses for another 15 more
days. (present possibility)
Grammar Intro
MAY
It’s formal and the least
common in spoken English.
Present: Where are my
keys? They may be in the
car.
Future: I may eat rice with
chicken for lunch again
COULD
MIGHT
Commonly used to talk
about possibility.
I might go to the store
today. Although, I’m
scared to do so.
It is used to talk about
possibility and past ability
He could finish his project
tonight. (possibility)
He could swim when he was
a child. (past ability)
* could for past ability or present/future possibility’
Modals of Possibility
SUBJECT/NOUN
MODAL VERB
INFINITIVE
VERB
NOUN PHRASE
It looks nice, but it might be very expensive.
I may eat dinner at 7:00 pm.
I’m not sure what that picture is. I think it might be a cracker.
It could be the top of a soda can.
In the next 30 years
…. Robots - do the housework
Do you think robots will do the housework?
… cars - use batteries instead of petrol
… students - have robot teachers?
… clothes - look completely different
… people - study less hours
… people - still shop in supermarkets
Answer
In the next 30 years
…. All movies - be in 3D
… people - still read books
… computer games -be more popular than tv
… people- be able to go on holiday to the moon?
… everyone - spend less time watching tv
Answer
Mustn’t
We use mustn't particularly when the prohibition
comes from the speaker.
VS.
(Parent to child) You mustn't say things like that
to your sister.
Can’t
(Teacher student) You mustn't be late to class.
In the case of can:
●
You can't leave your house.
●
Sorry, we can't sell knives to under- 18s.
Must or can't
Complete the following sentences with the past form of must or can't.
1.
I didn't hear you come in last night.
I ___________________ (be) asleep.
1.
Allie doesn't look very happy.
Her interview ____________________________ (go) well.
1.
I didn't receive your email.
You ____________________________ (send) it to the wrong address.
1.
I heard that Julie passed all her exams.
She _______________________ (be) delighted.
1.
His new boss is very demanding.
Mike's first day at work _________________________ (be) easy.
1.
Look at Paul's new sports car.
It ___________________ (cost) him a fortune.
REVIEW:
Rewrite each sentence using an appropriate modal verb. More than one answer may be possible.
1.
It is very important that you do not forget to call me tomorrow.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.
It is not necessary for them to wait for me.
They . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.
It is obligatory for us to check out of the hotel before midday.
We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.
It is a good idea for him to study hard if he wants to pass his exam.
He . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
must
mustn't
can
should
can’t
shouldn’t
could
couldn’t
1.
I feel it is very important that you try to go to bed early tonight.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
1.
It isn't a good idea to believe everything you read on the internet.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.
It is obligatory to drive on the left side of the road in the UK.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.
It is forbidden to cross the border without a passport.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.
It is not necessary for his present to be expensive.
His present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
must
mustn't
can
should
can’t
shouldn’t
could
couldn’t