1 / 14

MODALS

MODALS . THEORY & EXERCISES. What are « modals »?. Modals (or modal verbs, auxiliaries) are used to modify the main verb and give a new meaning to the sentence. The most common structure is modal + infinitive : I work I can work I must work I should work. OBLIGATION

kaori
Download Presentation

MODALS

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. MODALS THEORY & EXERCISES

  2. What are « modals »? • Modals (or modal verbs, auxiliaries) are used to modify the main verb and give a new meaning to the sentence. • The most common structure is modal + infinitive : I work I can work I must work I should work ...

  3. OBLIGATION Must (self obligation) We must be generous. Have to (external requirement) We have to go. Be to (formal) Visitors are to leave at 6 pm. ABSENCE OF OBLIGATION Need not You needn’t help me. Modality meaning

  4. WEAK OBLIGATION Should You should try. Ought to I ought to help you. PROHIBITION Must not You mustn’t steal. May not They may not speak. Cannot I can’t tell you. Modality meaning

  5. Modality meaning • PERMISSION & HELP Can Could • You can go out. Could you help me? May Might • They may come in. They might sit. Be allowed to Need not • I was allowed to eat. I need not stay.

  6. DOUBT May This is a good proposition, so she may accept it. Might Federer might lose his title soon. BELIEF & DISBELIEF Must You must be tired. Can’t / couldn’t It can’t be true! They couldn’t have lied to their parents. Modality meaning

  7. ABILITY & POSSIBILITY Can, could I can play the flute. Be able to I was able to answer. OTHERS To have something done I have my car repaired. Be to (future) She is to receive her diploma next week. Modality meaning

  8. Semi-auxiliaries, marginal modals and modal idioms be able to dare had better be likely to need would rather be meant to ought to ... be willing to used to be supposed to ... ...

  9. WILL MUST / HAVE TO CAN MAY SHOULD / OUGHT TO WOULD COULD MIGHT Degrees of likelihood Manchester Utd [modal] win the championship in 2010.

  10. The mountains should be visible from here. There must be a mistake. Could you please give me a hand? May I ask you something? Go to bed, you might feel better soon if you do. You really ought to phone Mum. They have to be careful with their money. It can’t be true! Consider the following sentences. What do the modals imply?

  11. Spot and correct the errors. • It ought be changed immediately. • Look at these darkd clouds! I’m sure it might rain. • You musn’t speak like this to your father. • It should to be easy to get her agreement. • Mr Spencer, can you help me? • Ten years ago, I was allowed to golf very well. • I could like to do it, but I may not, sorry.

  12. Some interactive exercises now... An easy one to start with... Exercise 1 Now more difficult... But first, let’s watch Friends! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQOfh3KcjU4&feature=related (part 1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a56LhyFAo1A&feature=related (part 2) Exercise Friends & Modals « The One with Monica and Chandler’s Wedding«  In case the Friends exercise doesn’t work or is unavailable... Exercise 2 Exercise 3 Alice in Wonderland Trailer • To help you revising: A very complete modals chart with examples (past, present, future)

  13. Further exercises • Create a poster with school rules (for students AND teachers) or laws in your own imaginary country. • Imagine your ideal best friend /roommate / teacher / world / partner / ... • Draw some fancy roadsigns and have your classmates guess what they mean. • In groups, discuss and compare what you are (not) allowed to do at home / in your country (if you are a foreigner)... • Act out a dialogue between a father and his daughter, using as many modals as possible. Start like this: « Dad, may I... ». Use your own experience! • Act out a politician’s speech. Imagine you want to be elected President. Be as convincing as possible!

More Related