UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DEL ALTIPLANO

ESCUELA PROFESIONAL DE INGENIERIA TOPOGRÁFICA Y AGRIMENSURA

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WORKSHOP 3
MODAL VERBS

Can / Can`t
Can is used to say that something is possible, for ability, to ask permission to do something. Example:
 I can run fast, Can you call me tomorrow?
 We can speak English pretty well, Can he cook?
 Can I help you?, Can I take you home?

A: Complete the text with words in the box. and translate it into your language.
Move can has can’t

A human arm.
The human arm ……. move in seven different directions. The arm …… three pivots: the wrist, the elbow and the
shoulder. The wrist can ……………. in three different directions. At the wrist, the hand …… move up and down
about 90 degrees, it …….. move from side to side about 70 degrees, and it …… rotate about 180 degrees.

The shoulder can ……………… in the same three directions, but different angles. It ……... rotate about 20
degrees. The elbow …….. only move in one direction. At the elbow, the forearm can only………. up and down.
It can ………….. sideways or rotate.

Should / Shouldn't
 We use should and should not (shouldn't) to give advice and to offer an opinion.
Positive (affirmative) (+) Negative (-)
You should keep your password safe. People shouldn't download illegally.
= subiect + should + infinitive = subject + should + not (shouldn't) + infinitive
Questions Short answers
Should I update my virus protection software every month?
= Should + subject + infinitive
 Yes, I/ you /he / she /it/ they should.
 No, I / you / he / she / it / they shouldn't.
Information questions:
What should I do? / Who should I complain to?
= question word + should + subject + infinitive
- We do not use the auxiliary do / does to form the negative and questions.
- When we use should to give an opinion, we use: I think / I don't think + subject + should.
I think you should buy the camera with 4 megapixels. I don`t think children should play violent video games.
Practice: Complete the sentences with should or shouldn’t.
1. (You/download)………………………………….....tracks from illegal sites. It damages the music industry.
2. (You/use) ……………………………………Napster or iTunes . They’re legal and they offer a wide range of music.
3. I think (you /share)…………………………………………………tracks with friends. It’s illegal.
4. (You /update…………………………………………..your virus protection software.
5. It’s easy to damage a flat screen. (You/touch)……………………………………it.
6. If you want quality pictures, (you / buy) ………………………….… a digital camera with fewer than 3.3 megapixels.
7. I don't think (you / buy) ………………………………….. a VCR. They're out-of-date. Buy a DVD player.
8. (You / give) ………………………………………… your password to anyone.
B: Maziel has a job interview tomorrow with a large Metallurgical Engineering Company. Give her some advice
using Should / Shouldn´t.
1. Be late ………………………………………………………………
2. Practice answering questions with a friend…….…………………………………………………………
3. Be honest. Exaggerate your skills. ….……………………………………………………………
4. look at the floor when you speak. ………………………………………………………………
5. Sit straight and look confident. ………………………………………………………………
6. Dress smartly ……………….………………………………………………
7. Prepare some questions of your own. …………………………………………………………….
8. Read up as much as you can about the company. …………………………………………………….
9. Look at all the interviewers. ………………………………………………………….
10. Lean back and look bored. ………………………………………………………….

Will
We use will to talk about futures development that we are certain about.

Positive: Negative:
One sensor will stop the driver falling asleep. Traffic congestion will not be an easy problem to solve.
= subject+ will + infinitive = subject+ will not (won't)+ infinitive

Questions:
Will the car of the future be very different? How will the car of the future be powered?
= (question word + ) will + subject + infinitive.

May and might

We use May and Might when we are less certain about future developments for example, when we think that something
is possible rather than definite.

May is more formal than Might, but there is little difference in the level of possibility they contain.

Positive:
A hybrid car may / might be the best choice.
= subject + may / mighf + infinitive
Questions:
Might hydrogen fuel cells get cheaper?
= Might + subject + infinitive.
Negative:
A noise-free bike may not/might not be popular with
bikers.
= subject + may / might + not + infinitive.
How might the car of the future be powered?
= question word + might + subject + infinitive.

- We can use the short form mightn`t in spoken English, but there is no short form for may not.
Traffic congestion mightn`t be an easy problem to solve.

Not Traffic congestion mayn`t be an easy problem to solve.

- May is not used when we are asking people for their opinions, in order to avoid confusion with may in requests.

PRACTICE
Complete the sentences. Use will, won`t, may, might.
1. We ………………………..use petrol engines in the future. There are better alternatives (I’m certain)
2. Hydrogen fuel cells ………………….get cheaper as technology improves. (I`m certain)
3. A hybrid car ……. ………………. .be the best choice. It doesn’t produce much pollution (It’s possible)
4. Solar-powered vehicles…………………be the answer to or transport problems. The cells are very inefficient. (It`s
very unlikely)
5. Cars …………………….become much safer with the addition of many sensors. (I`m certain)
6. By 2020 more people in Europe……………………..travel to work by train than by car (It`s possible)
7. As world oil supplies dry up, petrol…………………………..get more and more expensive. (I’m certain)
8. Because hydrogen-fuelled cars are silent, they ………………be more dangerous than cars with petrol engines. (It’s
possible) .