LONGMAN ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE

11 Modal auxiliaries and related verbs

11.1 The two uses of modal verbs

11.1 A The first use of modal verbs (1) [> LEG 11.1-2]

Study:

[**l

1 Verbs like can and may are modal auxiliaries. We often refer to them as modal verbs or just

modals. We use them with other verbs [> 16.1 A], for example, to ask for permission:

Can I use your phone, please? May I borrow your car, please?

There are ten modals: can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, ought to and

three 'semi-modals': need, dare and used to.

2 In their first use, modal verbs have basic meanings which are given in dictionaries:

• can/could (= ability):


• may/might (= permission):


• will/would (= prediction):


• shall after I/We (= prediction):


• should/ought to (= duty):


• must (= total obligation):


• needn't (= no obligation):

I can lift 25 kg./l can type.

You may leave early.

It will rain soon. [> 9.7]

Will we find our way? - I'm sure we shall.

You should do as you're told.

You must be quiet.

You needn't wait.

Write: What do these sentences express? Match A and B.

(^1) I can type twenty-five words a minute. ç a) prediction
2 You should do as you're told. b) permission
3 You needn't wait. c) ability
4 It will rain soon. d) no obligation
5 You may leave now if you want to. e) total obligation
6 You must be quiet. f) duty
11.1 В The first use of modal verbs (2) [> LEG 11.4,11.6.1]
Study:
l*i
Write: Use suitable forms of have to only when it is impossible to use must.
1 You take a taxi if you intend to catch the next train.
2 Since the new boss took over, we ...h&uel.h&(i.&).... change our working methods.
3 We talk about this again tomorrow.
1 Modal verbs are not 'complete verbs'. For example, we use verbs like must and can to refer
only to the present or the future:
/ must go to the bank now. I must go to the bank tomorrow.
This means we have to make up the 'missing parts' of must with have to.
So if we want to express the past of must, we say: I had to go to the bank yesterday.
In the same way, we use be able to to make up the 'missing parts' of can [> 11.2A,C].
2 Other important points about modal verbs:
We can't use them as to-infinitives: I want to be able to type very fast. (Not to can)
We do not use the to-infinitive after modals: You must/mustn't phone. (Not to phone") [> 16.1 A]
There's no -(e)s in the 3rd person singular: The boss can see you now. (No -s on can)