Hi, everyone! We're going to revise the form and use of modal verbs.
Form.
The first thing we have to know is the type of modal verbs there are:
Pure modals
|
Semi-modals
|
can
|
be able to
|
could
|
|
may
|
have better
|
might
|
|
must
|
have to
|
shall
|
|
should
|
|
ought to
|
|
will
|
|
would
|
|
need ***
|
need to
|
The pure modals are used just exactly as the auxiliary verbs in the sentence word order.
Subject
|
Modal / Auxiliary
|
Verb
|
Object
|
Manner, place and time
|
You
|
shouldn't
|
be
|
so stressed
|
for driving
|
You
|
needn't
|
drive
|
to school
|
|
I
|
can
|
give
|
you
|
a lift
|
Their main difference is that pure modals are invariable forms, that is, we can't use them in the past or future forms.
Instead, the semi-modals can be used in the past, future and the rest of tenses too.
Use.
For understanding the meaning and use of the modal verbs we can establish different uses: ability; advice, necessity, and obligation; possibility and certainty.Ability
We express ability by means of the modals can and could and the semi-modal be able to.Here a presentation to learn more about the modals of ability:
Exercises:
- http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs-of-ability-exercise-1.html
- http://usefulenglish.ru/grammar/modal-verbs-exercise-one
- http://www.learnenglish-online.com/grammar/modals/tests/modalability.html
Advice, necessity, and obligation
For expressing advice we have the modals:- should
and ought to
(ought to
isn't
usually used in
the negative and
interrogative form)
to express advice.
- need to
to express necessity (only in the affirmative form).
- needn't
(without to)
and the don't/doesn't have to
are used to make
clear there's no need
to do something.
- must and
have to
express obligation.
- mustn't
for expressing prohibition (obligation
of not doing)
- Advice
Exercises:
- Necessity
Exercises:
- Obligation
Exercises.
Possibility and certainty
The modal verbs we use to express possibility and certainty are may, might, can, could, must- to express possibility
in the present or the future we may
(may not),
might
(mightn't)
and could.
- To express logical
deduction we use must
(in the affirmative form) or can't
(in the negative form).
- When we are sure
something is true we use must.
- When we are sure
something is impossible we use can't.
Exercises:
modal words have their own rules and meaning! http://essay-editor.net/blog/usage-of-modal-verbs-in-past-and-present-tenses tells about modal verbs in past and present tenses!
ReplyDeleteThe English grammar is not easy to comprehend, in particular, modal verbs and its relevance in sentences, if you feel it is your main weak spot, this source is compulsory to follow http://essay-editor.net/blog/usage-of-modal-verbs-in-past-and-present-tenses
ReplyDelete