using modals
appropriately
What are Modal
Verbs?
Modal verbs are
sometimes referred to
as Modal Auxiliary verbs
because they help other
verbs to convey
meaning.
They are Auxiliary verbs that
provide additional and specific
meaning to the main verb of the
sentence.
A modal is a type of auxiliary
(helping) verb that is used to
express: ability, possibility,
permission, obligation,
prohibition and many others.
How do we use Modals?
S V
Subject M Verb
Example: Mary could play the piano.
They do not accept conjugation.
They do not need other auxiliary
verbs.
Form
There is no “s” in singular.
There is no “do / does” in the question for some
modals.
There is no “don’t / doesn’t” in the negative form.
He cans ski or He can skis.
He can ski.
Do you would like to come with me?
Would you like to come with me?
They don’t can be serious.
They can’t be serious.
Form
Modal verbs do not have infinitives or – ing
forms
• to can / caning to must / musting
Modal verbs are followed by the base form
of the verb.
• She must study.
• We should go the other way.
• He could play football in his youth.
Uses of Modals
1. Request – would, could, can, will
Ex: Would you please lend me your pen?
Can you go with me to the party
tonight?
Note:
Could & Would are common in both
informal & formal situations.
Can & Will are informal.
Uses of Modals
2. Permission – may, could, can
Ex: Could the students submit the papers
this afternoon?
Yes, they could. / No, they could not.
Note:
May is rather formal.
Could appears in formal or informal
request for permission.
Uses of Modals
3. Advice – ought to, should, had better
Ex: All students ought to attend classes
regularly.
Tell your friend she had better hurry or
she’ll be late for the submission of deadline.
Note:
Both should & ought to can be used in giving
advice.
Had better is stronger than should or ought to.
Uses of Modals
4. Duties/Responsibilities/Obligations –
ought to, need to, should, must, must
not, has to, have to, had to
Ex: You must present your valid ID to
claim your prize.
Does he have to take the oral test?
You should follow your doctor’s
prescription.
Uses of Modals
5. Possibility / Probability – may, might, could, may
not, might not, must, must not
Ex: It could rain tomorrow.
This is a three-page exam. This must be
difficult.
Note:
May, might & could express the idea of maybe,
perhaps, or it’s possible.
Must is also used to express conclusion based on
present situation.
Uses of Modals
6. Preferences – would like, would rather
Ex: I would like to visit an English-speaking
country.
I would rather stay in the Philippines than go
to another country with bizarre culture.
Note:
Would like expresses desires for things that
haven’t happened yet.
Would rather expresses preferences or choices,
‘than’ + verb often follows it.
Uses of Modals
7. Ability – can, could, be able to +
verb
Ex: Most teenagers can get dance
steps easily, but most adults can’t.
If I persevere, I will be able to get
all that I want.
Exercise:
1. The Philippines ____ get through the
Covid-19 pandemic despite being a third
world country.
a. can b. shall c. ought to
2. ____ you help me disseminate the safety
measures to combat the Corona virus?
a. could b. will c. should
3. As responsible citizens, we ____ adhere
to the call of the Department of Health to
stay home to stop the spread of the virus.
a. may b. can c. must
4. Our country ____ speed up the flattening of
the curve if we listen to the call of the DOH
to stay home.
a. shall b. might c. can
5. It is not safe outside because of the threat of
the corona virus; so, I ____ stay at home.
a. may b. must c. can
6. The Department of Education is struggling
to meet the new normal in education; thus,
parents, learners and teachers ____
prepare.
a. must b. could c. will
7. The learners ____ adopt to the new normal
since DepEd is doing all its best to provide
appropriate learning modalities to continue
learning amidst the pandemic.
a. can b. will c. can not
8. The government ____ seek the help of other
countries if things come to worst.
a. can b. may c. shall
9. We ____ disobey the regulations of the
Local Government Unit. The threat of the
virus is just around the corner.
a. must not b. can not c. could not
10. The President ____ allow classes to
resume even without the vaccine yet.
a. may b. shall c. could not
