Ls 10. Modal Verbs
Lesson 10. Modal Verbs
| Model Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| Can: Possibility and ability | I can crawl |
| Will: Future | I will go negative: won't go |
| Shall: Possibility and future possibility | Your teacher recommends that you don't use shall if your interest is in American English. 98% of the American public doesn't use it. It sound very formal. In fact, it sounds too formal (blech) |
| May: possibility and permission | 1. (future possibility) They may walk their dogs this afternoon 2. (Asking permission) A: May i walk your dog? B: Yes, you may Negative: may not walk (don't contract this one) When I went out to eat last night, I couldn't read the signs because they were in Chinese |
| Could 1. Past tense of can - usually negative 2. Possibility and ability | I could read Negative: Couldn't read |
| Would: Past tense of "will" | I would touch Negative: wouldn't touch |
| Should: Recommendation and good idea (Related to "shall" but much better and easier to use) | He should be careful on those roller skates because he could fall Negative: shouldn't be |
| Might: possibility ( use instead of "may" in some cases) | I might break Negative: might not break (don't contraction) |
| Must: Necessary and important | They must attend this important meeting Negative: must not attend (a contraction here is okay, but it sounds formal and it sounds British. Most Americans try not to sound like they have a British accent, but you may use the contraction if you want to) |
Remember: Model verbs are followed by the main verb in the simple form
I must go He must be tired They should eat