English module 3+4 summary

CHAPTER: MODAL AUXILLIARS (PAGE 40-54)
INTRODCUTION
The modal verbs are
- Can
- Could
- Must
- Should
- Ought
- May
- Might
- Will
- Would
- Shall


- They always have same the form and never have an endling like -s
- They express (un)certainty, probability, possibility, necessity


We can use them to tell or allow people to do things; or we can use them to
say how (un)certain we are
- After a model verb we put an infinite without to
 We can park here
-> exception: ought -> to + infinitive
 The government ought to do more to help

- To form the negative we use not or n’t with the modal verb
 The plan might not work
 You shouldn’t be so untidy!

- To form questions we put the modal verb before the subject
 Can we park here?
 We can park here, can’t we?

- The same modal verb can refer to the present of the future
 Present: I’m looking for the letter. It might be somewhere in this pile of
papers
 Future: I posted the letter this morning. It might get there tomorrow

- To talk about the past we can use a modal verb + have + past participle
 I posted the letter two days ago. It might have arrived yesterday




- A model verb is followed by an infinitive without to. The infinitive can be
simple, continuous, perfect of passive

, FORM EXAMPLE
Simple They may show us their holiday photos
Continuous The may be showing the film on television soon
Perfect I may have shown you this before
Passive We may be shown the results later
Perfect + continuous You must have been dreaming
Perfect + passive The car must have been stolen




USE EXAMPLE
Necessity I must clean my shoes
No necessity You don’t have to wear a tie
The right thing to do You should complain
Permission Can I go?
Certainty The game will be over now
Impossibility This can’t be real gold
Probability Things should start get better
Possibility We may/might go out later
Ability I can ski
Hypothesis A million pounds would be very useful
Past habits We used to play together



MUST AND HAVE TO
1. Basic use

- We use “must” and “have to” to talk about what is necessary now or in the
near future
 I’m really sweaty. I must have a shower

2. Must or have to?

- Must: we use it when the speaker or writer decides what us necessary
 You must fill in a form -> I’m telling you
- Have to: we use it when the necessity comes from the situation
 You have to fill in a form -> that’s the rule

3. Must to recommend things

- Sometimes we use “must” to recommend something enjoyable
 You really must watch this new soap opera




NEEDN’T, DON’T HAVE AND MUSTN’T

,1. Needn’t and don’t have to

- We use these forms to say that something is not necessary
 You needn’t apologize. It’s not your fault
 You don’t have to apologize. It’s not your fault

2. Needn’t have done and didn’t need to

- We use these forms to talk about an unnecessary past action
 We didn’t need to make any sandwiches. We knew no one would be
hungry
 We needn’t have made/ didn’t need to make these sandwiches

3. Musn’t

- “mustn’t” is used to tell someone not to do something, or to say that is it
necessary to avoid something
 You mustn’t forget your keys or you’ll be locked out

- It also uses to forbid something
 Students must not use dictionaries in the examination


SHOULD AND OUGHT TO
1. The right thing to do

- We use this to say what is the right thing or best thing to do
 You should go/ ought to go to London. It’s an interesting city

- In negatives, short answers and questions, we use “should”
 Who should we invite to the wedding?

2. Probability

- We can also use “should” to say that something is probable
 I posted the letter ages ago. They should have it by now

- In the negative we use “shouldn’t
 We’re nearly at the front of the queue. We shouldn’t have to wait much
longer


CAN, COULD AND MAY
1. Asking permission

- We use “can”, “could” and “may” to ask permission
 Can I take your umbrella? Of course you can
 Could I borrow this calculator?

, - Could is more polite: may is more formal

2. Giving and refusing permission

- We use “can” and “may” to give permission
 You can use my mobile phone

- We use “cannot/can’t” to refuse permission
 These rooms are private. I’m afraid you can’t just walk here

3. Talking about permission

- “can” to refer to the present or future
 I can stay up as late I like

- “could” to refer to the past
 At one time anyone could go and live in the US



WILL, MUST AND CAN’T EXPRESSING CERTAINTY
- We use “will” for an assumption
 It’s no good ringing Luke now. He’ll be at work

- “must” expresses certainty
 You saw the film last week, so you must know what is about

- We use “can’t” for something we see as impossible
 This can’t be Roland’s textbook. He doesn’t do physics

- “must” and “can’t” are opposites
 The bill can’t be so much. There must be a mistake



MAY AND MIGHT
- We use these to say that something is possibly true
 This old picture may/might be valuable

- They are also use for an uncertain prediction or intention
 You might/may get stuck in traffic if you don’t leave early

- We can use a statement with “might” to make a suggestion
 If you’re going to the post office, you might get some stamps

- “might” can also express criticism that something is not done
 You never do anything to help. You might wash up occasionally

- We use “may as well” or “might as well” to say that something is the best
thing to do because there is no better alternative