Questions and Answers
What is the most formal and polite modal verb to ask for permission?
What is the correct way to form a negative modal verb?
What is the function of conditionals in expressing arguments?
What type of conditional deals with habits and general truths?
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In which type of conditional is the If/when clause always used?
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What is the result of using double modals?
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Which of the following is an example of a polite way to ask for something?
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Which modal verb is used to show respect?
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What is the primary function of modal verbs in a sentence?
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Which of the following modal verbs is used to express prohibition, and gives the idea that something is against the rules?
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What does the modal verb 'have to' usually refer to?
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Which of the following modal verbs is used to express obligation from the speaker?
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What is the main difference between 'must' and 'have to'?
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What is the function of the modal verb 'can' in a sentence?
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Which of the following sentences is an example of prohibition?
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What is the term for an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound?
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Study Notes
Modals
- Modals are auxiliary verbs used with a main verb to express possibility, ability, permission, or necessity.
- They add additional information about the function of the main verb that follows them.
- Modals have a variety of communicative functions and are used in different contexts such as speaking about ability, making requests and offers, and asking permission.
Prohibition Modals
- Prohibition means to prevent, avoid, stop, or disallow someone from doing something.
- Examples of prohibition modals:
- Musn't (Must Not) - usually means the speaker is setting the rules
- Example sentences:
- You musn't use your phone during class.
- You musn't sleep late.
- Example sentences:
- Can't (Cannot) - usually gives the idea of something that is against the rules
- Example sentences:
- You can't go into the hotel wearing slippers.
- You can't drive in this Country unless you are over 18.
- Example sentences:
- Musn't (Must Not) - usually means the speaker is setting the rules
Obligation Modals
- Obligation is an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment.
- Examples of obligation modals:
- Have to - usually referring to a rule or law
- Example sentences:
- I have to work on Saturdays.
- They have to wear their uniforms in school.
- Example sentences:
- Must - expresses obligation from the speaker
- Example sentences:
- I must hand in my thesis tomorrow.
- I must stop smoking. It's costing me too much money.
- Example sentences:
- Have to - usually referring to a rule or law
Permission Modals
- Permission means allowing someone to do something.
- Examples of permission modals:
- Can - is mostly used to ask for or give permission, and is less formal and more direct than could
- Example sentences:
- Can I borrow a pen?
- Can I go now?
- Example sentences:
- May - is the most formal and polite modal verb to ask for permission
- Example sentences:
- May I speak to your manager?
- May I use the restroom?
- Example sentences:
- Could - is used when being polite or wanting to show respect, and is a more polite form than can
- Example sentences:
- Could you lend me your laptop?
- Could I have water, please?
- Example sentences:
- Can - is mostly used to ask for or give permission, and is less formal and more direct than could
Nature of Modals
- Use the base form of the word with the modal.
- Modals do not change form.
- Modals never end in "s" even in the third person singular.
- Combine the base form of the verb with the modals, not with the infinitive "to".
- Use "not" to make modal verbs negative.
- Modals are also used to form questions.
- Do not use double modals.
Conditionals
- Conditionals are used in expressing arguments or stands which may be helpful in persuading others to move or act and even change their thoughts.
- Conditionals are statements expressing the results of a particular condition.
Types of Conditionals
- Zero Conditionals: deal with habits and general truths, such as laws.
- First Conditionals: are used in dealing with things that are possibly or likely to happen in the future.
- Second Conditionals: are used in dealing with things impossible in the present and are unlikely to occur in the future.
- Third Conditionals: are used to talk about things that happened in the past and can no longer happen now.
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Description
Learn how to express permission, obligation, and prohibition using modal verbs in English grammar. Understand the functions and communicative roles of modals in sentence construction.