Unit 7 MODAL VERBS Unit 7 Modal Verbs

Expressing possibility- logical assumptions

We use can in negative sentences or questions to talk about something which is possible to be true. e.g. He cant be wrong. He seems to know what he is talking about.

We use could, may, might in affirmative sentences with this meaning. e.g. He could/may/might be wrong. After all, it was dark.

Note the difference: He cant be wrong. (= Im sure he isnt wrong) He

may/might be wrong. (= Perhaps he is wrong) We use must in affirmative sentences to talk about something we are certain about. e.g/ He must be wrong. (= Im sure he is wrong.)

Note the form of the infinitive after must/cant/ may-might-could Present infinitive Im sure he works hard He must work hard

Perhaps he will pass his test He may pass his test

Present Continuous infinitive: Im sure he isnt studying. He cant be studying

Perhaps he will be exercising. He may be exercising.

Perfect infinitive. Im sure he left. He must have left. Im sure he hasnt arrived yet. He cant have arrived yet. Perhaps he (called) had called earlier. - He may have called earlier.

Unit 7 MODAL VERBS

Perfect Continuous Infinitive:

Perhaps he was working late. He may have been working late. Im sure he had been trying to find you. He must have been trying to find you. EXPRESSING OBLIGATION- NECESSITY We use must to express strong obligation coming from the speaker. e.g. I really must have some sleep. We use have to to express obligation coming from outside. e.g. We have to wear uniforms at work. We use had to to express obligation in the past. e.g. He had to walk two miles to go to school when he was a child. We use have(got) to to express obligation coming from outside (e.g laws, regulations, etc.) e.g. Ive got to cut down on fats. (doctors order) We use ought to to express that something is the right thing to do but we dont always do it. e.g. We ought to protect our forests. EXPRESSING NECESSITY/LACK OF NECESSITY We use must and have (got) to to express necessity. We use need to express necessity. e.g. The TV needs repairing. We use dont need to/ dont have to/ neednt to express lack of necessity in the present. e.g. She doesnt need/ have to work as her husband has a well-paid job. We use didnt need to/didnt have to to express lack of necessity in the past. e.g. She didnt need/have to cook as they went out for dinner.

e.g. We must/have(got) to leave now or well miss the plane.

Unit 7 MODAL VERBS

Note: We use didnt need to when we want to stress the fact that something wasnt necessary whether or not it was done. We use neednt have + past participle to say that smth wasnt necessary but happened. e.g. He didnt need to wake up early as it was his day off. He neednt have woken up that early, after all it was his day off. EXPRESSING PROHIBITION We use musnt to express prohibition. e.g. You musnt lie to yout parents (= Dont lie to your parents) Neednt is used to express lack of obligation. e.g. You neednt tell Paul (= You can if you want but it isnt necessary.) We can also use cant (= you arent allowed to ) and may not express prohibition. e.g. Children cant go into the patients room. ( They arent allowed.) Students may not talk during the test. (more formal) EXPRESSING CRITICISM We use could, should, might or ought to to criticize someone for not doing smth. e.g. You could ask me before you borrow my bicycle. (present) e.g. You could have asked me before you borrowed my bicycle. (past)