unit2 btx2 modalverbs_1415

2n Batxillerat. Unit 2

Modal VerbsSemi-modal Verbs

2n Batxillerat. Unit 2

CONTENTS

1.Modals and semi-modals. Why are they special?2.Modal verbs in the past3.What do modal verbs express? Double meanings.4.Important points to remember.5.Example sentences. Exercise

• Can• Could• Must• May• Might• Should /

ought to• Needn’t

Modal Verbs. Which?

• Can• Could• Must• May• Might• Should /

ought to• Needn’t

Modal Verbs. Which?

Semi-modal Verbs. Which?

• Be able to• Have to

Modal Verbs. What makes them special?

He can speak English.

She shouldn’t smoke.

Fake medicines may contain toxic ingredients.


He can speak English.

She shouldn’t smoke.

Fake medicines may contain toxic ingredients.

They are auxiliary verbs that give additional meaning to the main verb.

They do not need any other aux. verbs.

They do not accept conjugation

They are followed by an infinitive without to.


Modal verbs do not have all tenses. They use other verbs to complete the tenses.

Can is completed with be able toMust is completed with have to

Semi-modal Verbs. What makes them special?

They are called semi-modal because:


They are called semi-modal because:They use auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions•Do you have to go?•They don’t have to wear a uniform



There is S-V agreement in 3rd person singular•He has to study more.•She will be able to finish her exam. (to be!)




They are followed by to+Infinitive




They are followed by to+Infinitive

They can express tense•We didn’t have to wait a long time (past)•They will be able to understand her reasons (future)•He had to tell the police the truth (past)•I have never been able to remember a joke (present perfect)

• She wants to get good marks so she must study hard.

• You should visit the museum.

What about PAST situations?

Modal Verbs usually refer to the present or future...

• He might have given a statement, but I’m not sure.

• The jury must have made a decision very easily, they only took half an hour.

• You’re getting very good marks, she must have studied hard.

Modal Verbs in the PAST

They are modal forms that refer to actions that happened in the past.

MODAL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

What do they express? Meaning

Some can have more than one meaning depending on the situations

What do they express?Present and Future

Past

1. Ability Can/ Can’t / be able to

Could (general ability) (podia)Could (n’t) have +pp (unrealised past ability) (hagués pogut)

2. Permission

CanCould (more polite)May (more formal)

Could (somebody had permission to do something in the past at any time)

3. AdviceSuggestion

Should(n’t)Ought (n’t) toMust

Should(n’t) have + ppOught (n’t) to + have +ppCould (n’t) have +pp

4. Obligation

Must (internal)Have to (external)

Had to

5. Lack of obligation

Don’t have to (no has de, no hi ha obligació)

Didn’t have to (a past activity wasn’t necessary but we don’t know if it happened)

What do they express?Present and Future Past

6. Lack of necessity

Needn’t(informal: don’t need to)(no fa falta que)

Needn’t have + pp (a past activity happened but it wasn’t necessary)

7. Prohibition

Mustn’t ---

8. Positive deduction

must Must have + pp

9. Negative deduction

Can’t can’t / couldn’t have + pp

10. Possibility, speculation and deduction

Could(n’t)May (not) (+)Might (not) (-)

Could (n’t) have +pp May (not) have + ppMight (not) have +pp

What do they express?Some can have more than one meaning depending on the situations

More than one meaningMust Obligation

Strong advicededuction

Can AbilityPermission

Can’t Negative abilityNegative deduction

Could PermissionPossibility, speculationAdvice

May PermissionPossibility / speculation

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

POINTS TO REMEMBER: Need as a modal verb is used mainly in negative, has no –s in the third

person singular, needs no auxiliaries. He needn’t wear a tie. Informal spoken English. He doesn’t need to wear a tie.


person singular, needs no auxiliaries. He needn’t wear a tie. Informal spoken English. He doesn’t need to wear a tie.

Must (internal obligation) Have to (rules,..) Must in the past = had to


person singular, needs no auxiliaries. He needn’t wear a tie.

The meaning of modal verbs can change when they are used in affirmative or negative.

I have to take an exam tomorrow You don’t have to take this exam.

Informal spoken English. He doesn’t need to wear a tie.


POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Don’t have to = lack of obligation (no has de) Needn’t = lack of necessity (no fa falta que) Didn’t have to (no sabem si va passar) Needn’t have + pp ( sí que va passar)

Need as a modal verb is used mainly in negative, has no –s in the third person singular, needs no auxiliaries. He needn’t wear a tie.

The meaning of modal verbs can change when they are used in affirmative or negative.

I have to take an exam tomorrow You don’t have to take this exam.

Informal spoken English. He doesn’t need to wear a tie.


Example sentences. Present

Write the example sentences:1.It could rain later, look at the sky.2.He might not be interested in football anymore3.You must watch this film. It’s hilarious.4.I can play the piano and I’ll soon be able to play the guitar.5.You mustn’t take liquids on planes.6.I must study harder if I want to pass my exams 7.You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.8.She can’t be the lawyer; she didn’t go to university!9.I have to take the exam on Monday 10.You shouldn’t eat in that restaurant; the food is terrible

Example sentences. Past

Write the example sentences:1.You needn’t have rushed, the train has already left.2.You should have told me you’d be arriving late.3.Miriam can’t have been a member of the jury, she was only 15 at the time.4.He might have given a statement but I’m not sure.5.You didn’t have to come.6.She could read when she was 4.7.I was so angry I could have killed her. 8.The jury must have made a decision easily, they only took half an hour.9.He had to save half his salary every month to pay for his car.10.She ought to have asked me first.

unit2 btx2 modalverbs_1415

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