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Questions and Answers
What is the most formal and polite modal verb to ask for permission?
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 correct way to form a negative modal verb?
What is the function of conditionals in expressing arguments?
What is the function of conditionals in expressing arguments?
What type of conditional deals with habits and general truths?
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?
In which type of conditional is the If/when clause always used?
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What is the result of using double modals?
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?
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?
Which modal verb is used to show respect?
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What is the primary function of modal verbs in a sentence?
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?
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?
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?
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'?
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?
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?
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?
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.
