Class 18-1: Modal Auxiliaries and Similar Expressions
“I’m about to leave. I should not answer it.”
Definition: Modals are words used to explain a speaker’s emotions or attitude towards an object or idea. The modal auxiliaries in the American English language are can, could, had better, has/have to, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will, and would. | Examples:
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Continued
Rules: Modals will never be put in the plural form. Modals always come before the simple form of a verb. | Examples: Correct: I might go to the store. Correct: I must(modal) go(verb). |
More on Must, Have to and Have got to
Rules: Must, have got to and have to express a need to do a certain action. Must is considered to be more formal. Have to is considered to be more informal and is more commonly used in everyday American speech. | Examples: 1. I have to study tonight. 2. All employees must wash their hands. 3. I have to clean my room. 4. You must clean your room before you go. 5. You have got to pay that bill today. |
Rules of Modals:
can: be able to |
could: be able to (past tense of can) or to suggest an idea |
had better: be sure to perform |
has/have to: no or little choice |
may: polite request or stating an action will possibly happen in the future |
might: something is true and could happen in the future |
must: rule or law, you have no choice |
ought to: good idea that you should perform the action |
shall: it will happen in the future |
should: good idea that the action happens in the future |
“Shall we stay in the pool, or should we get out.”
Exercise
| would | must | could | ought to | shall |
| will | have to | may | can | would |
1. Would you go to the store and buy a pound of sugar?
2. I ______________ name all fifty states alphabetically.
3. ______________ I please borrow a pencil?
4. You ______________ wear a jacket. It’s freezing!
5. Jessica was full. She ______________ not eat another bite.
6. Do I ______________ sit with Aunt Judy? She always teases me.
7. You ______________ put more air in your front tire.
8. ______________ you please turn the music down?
9.______________ I call the nurse?
10. ______________ you please stop tapping your pencil on the desk?
Exercise 2: Rewrite each sentence using the statement provided and the modal auxiliary in parentheses.
1. You are asking politely to use the restroom. (may) | May I go to the restroom?
2. You are suggesting to your friend that it’s a good idea to read a book. (ought to) |____________________
3. You played the piano when you were five. (used to) |____________________
4. You need to clean your room before your parents get home. (will) |____________________
5. You are looking for your retainer. (need) |____________________
6. You are asking your friend to dance with you. (shall) |____________________
7. You are suggesting to your friend to take the bus to her house. (could) |____________________
8. Tell your friend you are able to juggle. (can) |____________________
9. Tell your friend that he/she has no choice except to brush his/her teeth every day. (must) | ____________________
10. Tell your friends that they have no choice but to study. (have to) |____________________
Exercise 3: Create your own sentences using the definitions above.
1. I can… | Answer: I can do well in school.
2. I could… | Answer: ___________________________________
3. I had better… | Answer: ___________________________________
5. I can… | Answer: ___________________________________
6. May I… | Answer: ___________________________________
7. I might… | Answer: ___________________________________
8. I ought to… | Answer: ___________________________________
9. I have to… | Answer: ___________________________________
10. You should… | Answer: ___________________________________
11. I will… | Answer: ___________________________________
12. I would… | Answer: ___________________________________
Tag:Modals (Part 1)
