Writing567 Modal auxiliaries

modals- modal auxiliaries - helper verbs

Can - to express ability     I can speak English very well.

Maria can play violin.

Maria can't play violin. Maria cannot play violin.

Can - to request permission, or to make a request

Can I go to English 11?

Can you open the door please?

Open the door, please? UNUSUAL
Can you do me a favour?

Could - to express ability for the future

I could help you tomorrow. I could drive the kids to school.

Could - to express possibility     She could be an Olympian.

has the ability You could be a great singer if you practiced.

I could go to VCC if I get accepted.

may - to express possibility     I may be late for class. 

may - to request permission       May I take the test again, please? 

can/may - ask permission, may is more polite

May I borrow your pen?

might - to express possibility      She might call you later. 

casual - more commonly used

I might be late for class tomorrow. I have an appointment with the doctor.

must - to express obligation, no choice, strong      I must leave at 4 o’clock. 

You must finish your homework before you play Fortnite.

commonly used "have to"

must  to express strong belief    You must be kidding! 

You must be exhausted. They must be so happy.

Vancouver must be wonderful.

You must be so proud.

should - to give advice      You should go to the doctor.

You should study English if you want to live in Vancouver.

will    to show future     I will not drive my car today. 

would    to request or offer      Would you prefer a tea or coffee?

Would you like to dance? Would you like to go for a walk? 

would      in if-sentences      If I were you, I would complain.

a way to give advice - You should quit smoking.

If I were you, I would quit smoking.

If I were you, 

If I were you - dream, imagination

subjunctive mood - use the participle

If I were married to Gong Li, I would be happy.

If I win the lottery, I will buy a solid gold toothbrush.

If I won the lottery, I would buy a solid gold toothbrush.

Is it a real possibility or is it a dream?

If I get into VCC, I will study nursing.

If you were 226 cm tall, you could play in the NBA.

Two-word modals

had better - should

You had better study before the math test.

I had better call my mother because it is her birthday today.

The kids had better clean up their mess before they go to bed.

have to - must

You have to be careful when you are walking at night.

Sarah have has to finish her work.

The dog has to smell every tree in the park.

ought to - should

You ought to talk to your sister.

I ought to visit my home city because I feel homesick.

used to - something you did in the past but don't do any more

I used to smoke cigarettes, but then I quit.

Sarah used to do yoga, but she doesn't now because she is very busy at work.

I used to go to school by bus.

I used to take the bus to school.

Joan used to live in Beijing.

I used to play Minecraft.

I used to be afraid of ghosts, but now I love them.

used to - comfortable, accustomed, don't need to change, your "comfort zone"

I am used to living in Vancouver.

I got used to all of the noise in my city.

Joan got used to Vancouver which is a small quiet city even though she is from New York.

I am used to NOUN

living - gerund, ing noun

Three-word modals

be able to - can,ability

Are you able to help me fix my computer?

Joe is able to water the garden while we are on vacation.

I am not able to come to your party.

Dave will be able to pick us up at the airport next Tuesday night.

be going to - will

We are going to finish class in 

5 minutes.

be supposed to - should/must, responsibility

I was supposed to phone you, but I forgot.

I was supposed to graduate this year, but I didn't take do the last exam.

She was supposed to walk the dog. She didn't.

You were supposed do your chores.

chores - small household jobs, laundry, dishes

tasks, housework

homework - for school

chorus

have got to - MUST!!!!!! very strong  

t anything you want to say can be expressed with a one-word modal.