Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which modal verb is best used to express a hypothetical situation?
Which modal verb is best used to express a hypothetical situation?
Which characteristic is not true for modal verbs?
Which characteristic is not true for modal verbs?
Which pair of modal verbs can be used to express possibility?
Which pair of modal verbs can be used to express possibility?
What is a common use of the modal verb 'shall'?
What is a common use of the modal verb 'shall'?
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Which modal verb would you use to express prohibition?
Which modal verb would you use to express prohibition?
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Which modal verb expresses strong obligation?
Which modal verb expresses strong obligation?
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Which modal verb is not typically used to express future action?
Which modal verb is not typically used to express future action?
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Which concept is not a type of modality that modal verbs express?
Which concept is not a type of modality that modal verbs express?
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Which sentence best uses a modal verb to express necessity?
Which sentence best uses a modal verb to express necessity?
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What is an important aspect to consider for understanding the meaning of a modal verb?
What is an important aspect to consider for understanding the meaning of a modal verb?
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Study Notes
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that express modality, which includes notions such as:
- Ability: can, could
- Permission: may, might
- Obligation: must, should
- Possibility: may, might, could
- Necessity: must, have to
- Prohibition: cannot, must not
Characteristics
- Modal verbs are always used in combination with a main verb.
- They do not have a subject-verb agreement.
- They do not have a tense form, but they can be used to express different tenses.
- They are often used to express attitudes, opinions, and emotions.
Common Modal Verbs
- Can: ability, permission
- Could: ability, possibility
- May: permission, possibility
- Might: possibility
- Must: obligation, necessity
- Shall: obligation, future action
- Should: obligation, recommendation
- Will: future action, prediction
- Would: hypothetical or uncertain situations
Examples
- Ability: I can speak French.
- Permission: You may go to the party.
- Obligation: You must try this cake.
- Possibility: It might rain tomorrow.
- Necessity: You have to try this cake.
- Prohibition: You cannot go to the party.
Uses
- To express degrees of certainty or uncertainty
- To express obligation, permission, or prohibition
- To make suggestions or recommendations
- To express ability or inability
- To talk about future plans or predictions
Tips
- Modal verbs can be used in different ways to express different meanings.
- The context of the sentence is important to understand the meaning of the modal verb.
- Modal verbs can be used in combination with each other to express more complex meanings.
Modal Verbs
- Express modality, including notions of ability, permission, obligation, possibility, necessity, and prohibition
Characteristics
- Always used with a main verb
- No subject-verb agreement
- No tense form, but can express different tenses
- Often used to express attitudes, opinions, and emotions
Common Modal Verbs
- Can: ability, permission
- Could: ability, possibility
- May: permission, possibility
- Might: possibility
- Must: obligation, necessity
- Shall: obligation, future action
- Should: obligation, recommendation
- Will: future action, prediction
- Would: hypothetical or uncertain situations
Uses
- Express degrees of certainty or uncertainty
- Express obligation, permission, or prohibition
- Make suggestions or recommendations
- Express ability or inability
- Talk about future plans or predictions
Tips
- Modal verbs have different meanings depending on the context
- Context is important to understand the meaning of a modal verb
- Can be used in combination to express more complex meanings
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Description
Test your knowledge of modal verbs, including their characteristics and uses in expressing modality, ability, permission, obligation, possibility, and necessity.
