English Modal Verbs ? By Bahrom Almardanov

Section Four Compound Modal Verbs and their functions Section Two Simple Modal Verbs Section Three Past forms of Modal Verbs and their functions Section One Basic Information about Modal Verbs Section Five Final Test

What are Modal Verbs ? Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs. Here are some important differences:

1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person. EXAMPLES: He can speak Russian. She should go now. My wife may join us for the dinner.

2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past. EXAMPLES: You should not be late. I can not come to at 6pm. He may not like this idea. You must not disturb him now, he is busy. They didnt must do it. NOT CORRECT

3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses. EXAMPLES: He will can go with us. NOT CORRECT She musted study very hard. NOT CORRECT It mayed show yesterday. NOT CORRECT

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Which sentence has a modal verb? We have been arguing over this issue for half and hour, lets change the topic. We have been arguing over this issue for half and hour, lets change the topic. Do not turn on that computer, it is not working properly. We need to fix it. Do not turn on that computer, it is not working properly. We need to fix it. Lets visit our grandpa, we have not seen him since Christmas. Lets visit our grandpa, we have not seen him since Christmas.

Well Done!

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Please choose the correct sentence He cans climb the rocks. He can climb the rocks. He canned climb the rocks.

Fantastic!

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Please choose correct negative form of modal verb I dont can do it now, I am very busy till 5pm. You must dont smoke here, this place is smoke free. You must dont smoke here, this place is smoke free. He should not procrastinate his assignments, he may not get good grades. He should not procrastinate his assignments, he may not get good grades.

Great! Quit Continue

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Section Two Simple Modal Verbs CanMayMust

1. to express general ability 2. to express possibility / impossibility 3. to ask a permission (informal)

EXAMPLES: I can sing and play the guitar. Anyone can learn how to use Computers if they want to. Can you help me to fix my door? Take the test Back to section two

1. to express possibility 2. to ask or to give a permission (formal) 3. to make requests

EXAMPLES: He may come late today. You may use my Computer now. May I make a phone call? Take the test Back to section two

1. to express certainty 2. to express necessity 3. to make a strong recommendation

EXAMPLES: You must be tired now, you have worked all day long. I must have a visa to go to Canada. CEP 811 is a very interesting class, you must take it too. Take the test Back to section two

If you want to get a better feeling for how the city is laid out, you_______________ walk downtown and explore the waterfront. Choose the best answer WillDoCan

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Can MayMust

Today is cloudy, it ________________ rain. Choose the best answer MayCanDoes

CanMay Must

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Choose the best answer Ted's flight from Uzbekistan took more than 11 hours. He ________________ be exhausted after such a long flight. MayMustCan

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Can If you have not studied one of these verbs, click on it. MayMust If you have, click here Quit Continue

CouldWouldShouldMight Section Three Past forms of Modal Verbs and their functions

1. to express general ability in the past, because it is the past form of the Can 2. to express possible future actions similar to May and Might in meaning 3. to make a request or ask something 4. to express unreal or impossible actions

EXAMPLES: We tried hard but we could not persuade them to come with us. My grandfather could not swim. When you go to Uzbekistan, you could stay with me. Could you tell me what time it is? I dont know how she works 14 hours a day in front of the computer, I could not do this. Take the test #1 Back to section three Take the test #2

1. to express future in the past because it is the past form of Will 2. to express unreal action in the present 3. to ask someone to do something (formal), (structure: If + you + would+ verb)

EXAMPLES: He told me that he would come and fix this computer yesterday. I would be very frightened if someone pointed a gun at me. If we did not go to their party next week, she would be very upset. Id be very grateful if you would come and help me move to my new apartment. Take the test #1 Back to section three Take the test #2

1. to ask or give advice or recommendation 2. often after these verbs: suggest, propose, recommend, insist, demand. 3. If you think that if person is likely to do something with less certainty or accidentally, you can use this structure: If + you + should+ verb or Should + you + verb

EXAMPLES: I think you should stop smoking, drinking and messing around, instead you should do sometime useful. They insisted that we should have dinner with them. He recommended that I should apologize to her for what I said. If you should see Tom this evening, could you tell him to call me? or Should you see Tom….. Dont worry if I should be late tonight. Take the test #1 Back to section three Take the test #2

1. to give or ask permission, or possibility in the past, because it is the past form of May 2. to express future or present possibility and probability 3. Interchangeably with May quite often with no difference in meaning.

EXAMPLES: She told that he might come in and use her stove. He might be having lunch now. It might rain tomorrow. There may/might not be a meeting tonight, because the director is ill. I may/might go to Italy this summer. Take the test #1 Back to section three Take the test #2

Your brother was ill, therefore he _____ go out for a walk. # 1. Choose the correct modal verb CantMustntCouldnt

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Outstanding!!! Back to section three

If he were here, he ____ help you. # 2. Choose the correct modal verb MayCanCouldntCould

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Terrific !!! Back to section three

Mr. Bond said if she was busy at 10 o'clock, he ____ come to see her later. # 1. Choose the correct verb MayCanWouldMust

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Super!!! Back to section three

This house ____ look better if they painted it and cut the grass and planted flowers. # 2. Choose the correct modal verb MayCanWouldMust

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Well done!!! Quit Continue Back to section three

Oh, you are seriously ill. I think you... consult a doctor. # 1. Choose the correct modal verb WouldShouldMayCould

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Good Job!!! Back to section three

The Sheriff demands that all the eyewitnesses _____ be questioned immediately. # 2.Choose the correct modal verb WouldShouldMustCould

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Outstanding!!! Back to section three

He said that I ____ play any CD from his collection while he was gone. # 1. Choose the correct modal verb MayShouldMustMight

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Good Job!!! Back to section three

Dont call me at 8:30. I ____ be watching the football match on television. # 2. Choose the correct modal verb WouldCanMightShould

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Good Job!!! Back to section three

Modal Verbs + Perfectives? Quit Continue Section Four Compound Modal Verbs and their functions

Modal Verbs + Perfective May/Might/Could + Have + Past Participle Must + Have + Past Participle Should + Have + Past Participle Would + Have + Past Participle

Examples: When I was sleeping last night, it may/might/could have rained. I cant find my notebook in my office, I may/might/could have left it in the cafeteria. to express the possibility or probability in the past, it is not certain if it happened or not. May/Might/Could + Have + Past Participle Take the test Back to section four

A) Why didnt Tom answer the doorbell? I am sure he was in the house at the time. B) He ____ have been in the bath. Choose the incorrect answer CouldMightMayCan

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Outstanding!!!

Examples: Amira made an excellent presentation, she must have prepared a lot for it. When I came home in the middle of the night, I unintentionally made a lot of noise, you must have heard me. to express the certainty in the past. Must + Have + Past Participle Take the test Back to section four

When I woke up this morning, the light was on. I _____ have forgotten to turn it off. Choose the correct modal verb CouldntShouldCanMust

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Awesome!!! Quit Continue

Examples: I feel sick now, I should not have eaten so much chocolate. I am so sorry to hear that you got a bad grade for this class, you should have studied more. to criticize some action in the past that did not happen. Should + Have + Past Participle Take the test Back to section four

The driver in the front stopped so suddenly without warning, I drove into the back of his car. It wasnt my fault. He ______ have stopped so suddenly. Choose the correct modal verb WouldntShouldntCantMay not

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Well Done!!!

Examples: Why didnt you call me? I would have come and helped you, and you wouldnt have received this bill. If I had known that you were in Washington DC,I would have made arrangements to see you. to talk about unreal situations in the past, usually in If sentences. Would + Have + Past Participle Take the test Back to section four

If you had been more careful, you _____ have broken this vase. Choose the correct modal verb WouldntShouldntCantMay not

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Yey!!!

I challenge you to take this Quit Continue Section Five Final Test

Choose a Test Question Number OneTwoThreeFiveFour

#1. Choose the best answer You _____ break the body but you _____ break the spirit. may / can not could / can not must / should can / might not

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Good Job!!! Back to section five

#2. Choose the best answer He knew perfectly well that he ______ it but he wouldn't admit it. shouldn't have done Should do Must have done Can do

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Outstanding!!! Back to section five

#3. Choose the best answer Oh, Mary, you ______ a lie to your mother. She _______ you. shouldn't tell / could have helped should tell / might have helped shouldn't have told / could have helped mustnt have told / could help

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Bravo!!! Back to section five

#4. Choose the best answer If I had gone to the University of Miami, I ________ participated in their Spanish immersion program. Could have Should have Must have Can have

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Spot on!!! Back to section five

#5. Choose the best answer You have no temperature now, so you needn't stay in bed any longer. You ___ eat what ever you like, but you... drink any alcohol until you have finished taking tablets. And you... stay indoors for three-four days. After you... go out for short walks. If you want to get well soon you... to follow all these instructions. could/need/don't have to/must/must might/could/had to/could/are able have to/might/had to/could/should can/mustn't/should/can/will have

Back to review section two Back to review section three Back to review section four

Wow!!! Back to section five

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