MODALVERBS

MODAL VERBS
Different moods and different ways to

express them
ABILITY
Verbs
POSSIBILITY
PERMISSION Adjectives
OBLIGATION
EXPECTABILITY Modal Verbs
PROBABILITY
Present, past and futute
I am I
I / he / she / it was
You /we /they are You /we /they will be
You /we /they were
He /she /it is He /she /it
There is There was

There will be
There are There were
I I
You wrote You
I /you /we /they write
He He will write
He / she / it writes
We lived We
They They
Structure of Modal Verbs
I
You
He
She Modal Verb Infinitive
It (can /should, etc.) (without TO)
We
They
CAN is used to indicate the possession of an
ABILITY.
e.g. He can speak German fluently

(= He’s able to speak German fluently)
I Rewrite the sentences. Use “CAN” for
ability.
1. He’s able to drive a car.

He can drive a car.
2. My daughter is capable of playing the piano beautifully.

My daughter can play the piano beautifully
3. She’s an excellent secretary. She has the ability to type 80

words a minute.
She can type 80 words a minute.
4. Most adults are unable to use a computer.
Most adults can’t use a computer.
5. A recent investigation shows that 65% of high school

students don’t know how to use a calculator.
... 65% of high school students can’t use a calculator.
6. Only 2% of Chileans are able to speak English fluently.

Only 2% of Chileans can speak English fluently.
Different ways to express ability
• Can
• Be able to
• Be capable of (ING)
• Have the ability to
• Know how to
CAN / MAY are used to indicate a present
or future POSSIBILITY
e.g. The solution may / can be found at the

back of the book
(= It’s possible to find the solution at
the back of the book)
II Rewrite the sentences. Use “MAY” or
“CAN” for possibility.
1. Due to the repairs, trains are possibly subject to delays.
Due to the repairs, trains may be subject to delays.
2. It’s possible that we face an energy crisis this winter.

We may face an energy crisis this winter.
3. Maybe we’ll change rooms for the next test since the
room is very small.
We may change rooms for the next test since the room ...
4. Perhaps agronomists will have to test the soil because
they’ve found traces of pollutants.
Agronomists may have to test the soil because ...
5. Let’s not wait any longer. It’s possible that he won’t

come today.
He may not come today.
6. It’s possible that ships won’t dock in the harbor

because of the rain.
Ships may not dock in the harbor because of the rain.
CAN / MAY are also used to give
PERMISSION.
e.g. You can / may speak to the patient just

a few minutes.
(=You’re allowed to speak to the
patient just a few minutes)
III Rewrite the sentences. Use “MAY” or
“CAN” for permission.
1. He has permission to play after doing his homework.
He may play after doing hid homework
2. You’re allowed to miss classes if you get 85% on the

first test.
You may miss classes if you get 85% on the first test.
3. Do I have permission to smoke?

May I smoke?
4. You’re allowed to call me by my nickname.
You may call me by my nickname.
5. I gave her permission to leave the class earlier since

she has stomach cramps.
She may leave the class earlier since she has ...
SHOULD is often used to indicate what is
regarded as PROBABLE or reasonably
EXPECTED
e.g. The introduction of new machinery should

contribute greatly to better results.
(=It’s expected that the introduction of new
machinery will contribute greatly…)
IV Rewrite the sentences. Use “SHOULD”
for what is probable or expected.
1. They expect the meeting to be finishing right now.
The meeting should be finishing right now.
2. The Conservatives are expected to win the next election.

The Conservatives should win the next election.
3. We don’t expect that it will take long to get there.

It shouldn’t take (us) long to get there.
4. It probably won’t be difficult to pass the test.
It shouldn’t be difficult to pass the test.
5. The new regulation probably won’t affect the old students.

The new regulation shouldn’t affect the old students.
MUST is often used to indicate OBLIGATION.
e.g. You must obtain a visa to travel to USA.

(=It’s compulsory that you obtain a visa to
travel to USA.)
V Rewrite the sentences. Use “MUST”
for obligation.
1. There’s no gravity in space. Astronauts have to

take showers inside big plastic bags.
2. Astronauts are also obliged to drink through tubes.
3. It’s compulsory that students write the test in ink.
4. I feel obliged to visit them again.
5. It’s obligatory that he works at the weekend.
6. She’s to answer all the questions before the jury.
7. He’s forced to make a choice.
V Rewrite the sentences. Use “MUST”
for obligation.
1. There’s no gravity in space. Astronauts have to take
showers inside big plastic bags.
Astronauts must take showers inside plastic bags.
2. Astronauts are also obliged to drink through tubes.

Astronauts must also drink through tubes.
3. It’s compulsory that students write the test in ink.

Students must write the test in ink.
4. I feel obliged to visit them again.
I must visit them again.
5. It’s obligatory that he works at the weekend.

He must work at the weekend.
6. She’s to answer all the questions before the jury.

She must answer all the questions before the jury.
7. He’s forced to make a choice.

He must make a choice.
VI These sentences are wrong. Correct
the mistakes.
1. He can playing tennis very well.
He can play tennis very well.
2. We must to hurry or we’ll be late.

We must hurry or we’ll be late.
3. At the meeting tomorrow he may mentioned the problem.

At the meeting tomorrow he may mention the problem.
4. He’s been here for hours. He must been tired.
He’s been here for hours. He must be tired.
5. She should knows the answer.

She should know the answer.
Translate these sentences into English.
Use a Modal Verb.
1. Debido a la lluvia, es posible que no venga a
clases mañana.
2. Es obligación que los alumnos asistan a la
reunión.
3. Se espera que ellos ganen el partido.
4. Nadie tiene permiso para irse antes.
5. Todos tienen que pagar para entrar.
6. ¿Sabes nadar?
7. A lo mejor están en la biblioteca.
8. Nadie es capaz de reparar esta máquina.

MODALVERBS

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MODAL VERBS

Different moods and different ways to

There is There was

e.g. He can speak German fluently

1. He’s able to drive a car.

2. My daughter is capable of playing the piano beautifully.

3. She’s an excellent secretary. She has the ability to type 80

5. A recent investigation shows that 65% of high school

6. Only 2% of Chileans are able to speak English fluently.

e.g. The solution may / can be found at the

2. It’s possible that we face an energy crisis this winter.

5. Let’s not wait any longer. It’s possible that he won’t

6. It’s possible that ships won’t dock in the harbor

e.g. You can / may speak to the patient just

2. You’re allowed to miss classes if you get 85% on the

3. Do I have permission to smoke?

5. I gave her permission to leave the class earlier since

e.g. The introduction of new machinery should

2. The Conservatives are expected to win the next election.

3. We don’t expect that it will take long to get there.

5. The new regulation probably won’t affect the old students.

e.g. You must obtain a visa to travel to USA.

1. There’s no gravity in space. Astronauts have to

2. Astronauts are also obliged to drink through tubes.

3. It’s compulsory that students write the test in ink.

5. It’s obligatory that he works at the weekend.

6. She’s to answer all the questions before the jury.

7. He’s forced to make a choice.

2. We must to hurry or we’ll be late.

3. At the meeting tomorrow he may mentioned the problem.

5. She should knows the answer.

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