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Question
Look at the following pair of sentences. Underline the modals and discuss why each one is used in that sentence.
e.g.
I must not take those pills. (I’m not allowed.)
I need not take those pills. (It is not compulsory but I may if I wish.)
(b) I needn’t go to the meeting if I don’t wish to.
2. (a) I can swim a length of the pool.
(b) I can swim in the pool on Saturdays.
3. (a) You ought to get a nice present for her.
(b) You have to get a nice present for her.
4. (a) Can I go to the toilet?
(b) May I be excused?
5. (a) I may come tomorrow if I have the time.
(b) I might come tomorrow but it’s going to be difficult.
Did you know?
Modals are a small group of verbs that are used to express possibility,
probability, capability, capacity, ability, obligation and predictions.
Some of the modals you learnt in this unit are
can
may
shall
could
might
should
Need, dare, had better are also modals.
Understanding Modals:
Modal Auxiliaries
A modal verb or auxiliary verb is a verb, which modifies another verb, so that
the modified verb has more intention in its expression. In essence the modal
verb expresses modality, the way in which something is being said.
The main modals are
Can: could; may: might; shall: should; will: would: must; ought to; need to;
have to.
The negative modals are
Couldn't; wouldn't; shouldn't; mustn't; needn't; oughtn't/ ought not to
| Modal | Examples | Uses |
| Can/ can't |
She can read and write It can rain today Can I borrow your pen? Can you lend me your notes? Can I carry your books? |
ability possibility /probability seeking permission request offer |
| Could/ couldn't |
Could I borrow your book? Could you please help me with this sum? We could go for a picnic on Sunday I think you could come first this time There was a time when I could work round the clock. |
seeking permission request suggestion possibility/ probability past ability |
| May |
May I have some water? May I help you? May I shut the door? India may become a super power by 2020. May God bless you |
request offer permission possibility/ probability wish/ desire |
| Might | They might sell their house as they need the money. | future possibility/ probability |
| Will /Won't |
It is very cold so I will stay at home. I will help you if you wish. Will you look after my dog for a day? It will rain tonight. I will get you a shawl from Srinagar. |
intention offer request prediction promise |
| Would/Wouldn't |
Would you mind if I come over tonight? Would five o'clock suit you? Yes it would. Would you pass the salt? Would you come to my party? Would you prefer tea or coffee? |
permission making arrangements request invitation preference
|
| Shall |
Shall I help you? Shall we meet at 3.00 pm outside Bakshi Stadium? |
offer making arrangements |
| Should |
We should check the timings of the train. You should listen to the advice of your elders. |
recommended action advice |
| Ought to |
You ought to do your duty. The bus ought to be here any minute |
advice probability |
| Must/mustn't |
We must make a move now. You mustn't tell lies. |
obligation necessity |
| Need |
He need not go to the market. You need to lose weight. I need to get the groceries. |
necessity compulsion insistence |
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Solution
1. (a) Can’t—I’m not allowed to go.
(b) Needn’t—It is not compulsory but I may go if I wish.
2. (a) Can—I am physically able to swim a length of the pool.
(b) Can—The authorities permit me to swim on Saturdays.
3. (a) Ought—You have a moral obligation to get her a nice present.
(b) Have to—You are being ordered to get her a nice present.
4. (a) Can—This is a less formal/polite way of asking permission to go to the toilet.
(b) May—This is a more formal/polite way of asking permission to leave.
5. (a) May—Implies that it is slightly more likely than in sentence (b).
(b) Might—Implies that it is slightly less likely than in sentence (a).
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Anonymous
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You are on the editorial board for the column ‘Your Problems’ in The Teenager magazine. You have received these two letters asking for your advice. (They appear to have come from the same family)
|
Dear Helpful Avanti My fifteen year old son is crazy about film music. He seems to be wasting all his pocla:t money on these meaningless CDs. He cannot even study without this noise. Though he is good at studies, I remain disturbed about this new obsession. There are all kinds of strange-looking posters on the walls of his study and he always wears those gaudy T-shirts and faded patched jeans. Also, he is very fond of Junk-food. I fear he is breaking all links with our culture. |
|
Dear Helpful Avanti I love film music and I have bought a lot of CDs from my pocket-money allowance. But whenever I switch on my CD-player, my father frowns and orders me to switch off the 'jarring noise'. He calls it 'cheap' and 'uncivilised' stuff. It is not that I do not like classical music, but when I am with my friends, we listen to film music. I like Indian clothes and food. But, I also like to wear western clothes and eat continental food occasionally. I do not like to disobey my parents, but I do not want to give up my music and other interests. |
In pairs, decide what advice to give to each of them. Then write one letter each, so that both father and son get a reply from The Teenager. Remember to use some of the language in Question 5.
Common Combinations using Prepositions
Link the words from the different columns to produce meaningful sentences. One has been completed as an example. If you wish, write out the correct sentences in your notebook.
