1. Introduction to Modal Verbs and Probability
Flashcards
- State the three grammatical characteristics of modal verbs.
- 1. No '-s' for third person singular. 2. Form questions by inversion. 3. Followed directly by infinitive without 'to'.
- List the ten modal verbs in English.
- Can, could, may, might, will, would, must, shall, should, ought to.
- What is the function of modals of probability?
- To express how sure we are that something happened, is happening, or will happen (deduction, speculation, certainty).
Multiple-choice questions
- Which of the following sentences follows the correct grammatical rule for modal verbs?
- a) He cans swim very fast.
- b) He can to swim very fast.
- c) Does he can swim very fast?
- d) He can swim very fast.
Answer: d) He can swim very fast.. Modal verbs do not take an '-s' in the third person singular, form questions by inversion, and are followed directly by the bare infinitive without 'to'.
- How is the question form correctly constructed for the statement 'She should leave'?
- a) Should she leave?
- b) Should she to leave?
- c) She should leave?
- d) Does she should leave?
Answer: a) Should she leave?. Modal verbs form questions by subject-verb inversion without auxiliary 'do' or 'does', followed by the infinitive without 'to'.
- In the statement 'It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside', what function does 'must' serve?
- a) Expressing past habitual action
- b) Asking for polite permission
- c) Expressing physical ability
- d) Expressing certainty or deduction
Answer: d) Expressing certainty or deduction. 'Must' is used here to indicate how sure the speaker is about a situation, functioning as a modal of deduction, certainty, or probability.
2. Ability, Obligation and Advice, and Permission
Flashcards
- Which modal verbs express skill or ability?
- 'Can' and 'could'.
- Which verbs are used to express obligation, necessity, or advice?
- 'Must' and 'should' (along with 'have to').
- Which modal verbs are used to ask for and give permission?
- 'Can', 'could', and 'may'.
Multiple-choice questions
- Which modal verb appropriately expresses a past skill in the sentence: 'My grandfather ______ play golf very well'?
- a) must
- b) could
- c) may
- d) should
Answer: b) could. 'Could' is used to talk about skill or ability in the past.
- In the sentence 'You should stop smoking', what function does the modal verb perform?
- a) Giving advice
- b) Expressing ability
- c) Stating prohibition
- d) Granting permission
Answer: a) Giving advice. Verbs like 'should' are used to give advice or make recommendations.
- Which sentence is used to indicate that an action is not allowed?
- a) She can speak six languages.
- b) You may not use the car tonight.
- c) Could I leave early today, please?
- d) We have to wear a uniform at work.
Answer: b) You may not use the car tonight.. 'You may not use the car tonight' uses 'may not' to state that something is not allowed.
3. Habits with Will and Would
Flashcards
- Which two modal verbs express habits in English?
- 'Will' and 'would': used to talk about habits, things usually done, or past routines.
Multiple-choice questions
- Which modal verb is used in the sentence 'When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my flat' to describe a past habit?
- a) could
- b) will
- c) might
- d) would
Answer: d) would. 'Would' is used to talk about habitual actions or routines that happened repeatedly in the past.
- In the sentence 'John will always be late!', what meaning does the modal verb 'will' convey?
- a) A typical or habitual behavior in the present
- b) A formal request for permission
- c) An ability developed in the past
- d) A strict obligation imposed by rules
Answer: a) A typical or habitual behavior in the present. 'Will' is used to express things someone habitually or typically does.
And 0 more flashcards and 1 more questions in the document.
Document text
Modal Verbs Here's a list of the modal verbs in English: can could may might will would must shall should ought to Modals are different from normal verbs: 1. They don't use an 's' for the third person singular. 2. They make questions by inversion ('she can go' becomes 'can she go?'). 3. They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb (without 'to'). Probability First, they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something happened / is happening / will happen. We often call these 'modals of deduction' or 'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'. For example: 1 It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside. I don't know where John is.
He could have missed the train. This bill can't be right. £200 for two cups of coffee! © www.perfect-english-grammar.com May be freely copied for personal or classroom use. Ability We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability. For example: She can speak six languages. My grandfather could play golf very well. I can't drive. Obligation and Advice We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'should' to say when something is necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice. For example: Children must do their homework. We have to wear a uniform at work. You should stop smoking. Permission We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for and give permission.
We also use modal verbs to say something is not allowed. For example: 2 Could I leave early today, please? You may not use the car tonight. Can we swim in the lake? © www.perfect-english-grammar.com May be freely copied for personal or classroom use. Habits We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits or things we usually do, or did in the past. For example: 3 When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my flat. John will always be late! © www.perfect-english-grammar.com May be freely copied for personal or classroom use.