Modal Verbs

What we will learn

today
Recognize what modals are
Identify the variety of uses
of modals in expressing
meaning
Use modals in writing

What are modal verbs?

Helping verbs

used together with

base form of main verbs

different types of
meanings

Express

Examples of modals

Would
Must

Could
Can
May
Might

Shall
Should

Will

Where are modals put

in a sentence?

I shall be leaving when everything is done.

Where are modals put

in a sentence?

I shall be leaving when everything is done.

Shall

Be

Leaving

Where are modals put

in a sentence?

will
can

punish
swim

Base form verbs are

used after modals

will

punish

can

swim

Base form verbs are

used after modals

will

punish

can

swim

shall

be

leaving.

Base form verbs are

used after modals

will

punish

can

swim

shall

He could

be

leaving.
walk yesterday.

Modals have tenses

Normally
Present Tense

Past Tense

Can

Could

Will

Would

Shall

Should

May

Might

Modals have tenses

But look at these sentences
She may be at home.
She might be in school.

Modals have tenses

But look at these sentences
I shall take part in the competition
next month.
I should be doing my homework
instead of playing games.

Meaning of modals
Possibility --- How likely / Predictions
Obligation --- Is supposed to

Necessity/Insistence ---- Need to/ Have to

Ability ---- Is able to

Possibility
Indicate something is likely to
happen.
Different degrees of likelihood

Could
Might
Very
Unlikely

Can
May

Will
Shall

Must

Very
Likely

Possibility
Indicate something is likely to
happen or to predict
Different degrees of likelihood

Cannot
Very
Unlikely

Could
Might

Can
May

Will
Shall

Must

Very
Likely

Obligation
Used to indicate that an action is
required because someone is
responsible.
Should: Not used as past tense of shall
Must: Used to give orders that someone is
obliged to follow.

Necessity/Insistence
To indicate something that is
needed by someone or insisted on
by someone.
Need to: When voicing out what is needed/
insisted on.
Must: To insist on something to be done.

Ability
To indicate if something can or
cannot be done.
Can

Cannot

Could is used to express ability in the past.

(Not to express likelihood in which it can used
in present/past tense)

Group Activity
Work in your usual groups of fours and label
yourselves 1 to 4.
Listen to all instructions carefully before
moving off to collect materials/get into
groups.
You will be practising how to use modals to
show obligation, ability, necessity/insistence
and possibility.

Instructions

Each group collect a set of materials which comprises 1

activity sheet and 1 pack of markers.
The activity will require the group to role play and think of
what 4 different characters will say in unique situations to
show obligation, ability, necessity/insistence and possibility.
Each member will present 1 role at the end of group
discussion.
Discussion can only begin when the online timer starts
ticking--- 10 minutes discussion time will be given!

Four
Roles
OBLIGATION
Mr. Judge: He is always right and always
has advice for everyone.
Superman: He has superpowers that
enables him to do just about
anything and everything!
NECESSITY/INSISTENCE

ABILITY

Bossy Betty: She is always demanding the

others to give in to her and
keeps insisting on her ways.
Old Mr. Think-A-Lot: He is always thinking
of things that might
POSSIBILITY
happen.

In a classroom

_________
Mr. Judge who is
always right would
say

You should pay attention in

class so you must not talk to your
friends.
OBLIGATION
Bossy Betty who
demands a lot would
say
I must talk to my friends in class
even if it makes the teacher
unhappy. I need to be heard!
NECESSITY/INSISTENCE
_________

Superman who has

superpowers would
say

I can remember how the human

circulatory system work because
I paid attention!
ABILITY
Old Mr. Think-a-lot
would say
I will never be able to finish
all that work by tomorrow.
I could work faster if they
would stop making noise.
POSSIBILITY

_________

MOST IMPORTANTLY
Ensure the volume of your groups discussion
does not affect the others.
Include everyone in the discussion and respect
each others views.
Sound out to the teacher when the group has
trouble agreeing to how things should be done.
Basic discipline please!