Modal auxiliary verbs - introduction	

There are 10 modal auxiliary verbs in British English.
What are they?
____________   ____________   ____________   ____________   ____________   

____________   ____________   ____________   ____________   ____________   

Functions
Modals are used to express functions. Some common functions are:

	ability	
	permission	
	possibility and certainty	
	necessity (obligation)	
	asking people to do things (requests)	
	suggestions offers and invitations	

Examples.
Match the examples to the functions above.

Example	Function	
Could you move your car, please?		
You can't smoke in most restaurants nowadays.		
Would you like to come for dinner?		
It must be a mistake - I'm sure I said I wanted blue.		
You must not drink the water under any circumstances.		
He could ride a horse almost before he could walk.		

Note:
(1) Each modal can express more than one function.
	Function	
Can I help you?		
He can speak Italian and Spanish.		

(2) Each function can be expressed by a number of words and phrases including modals.
	Function	
You can't smoke in here.		
You're not allowed to take the books home.		

You're not allowed to make personal calls.	
He can't have gone home - his bag is still here.	
Do you fancy going for a walk?	
You must be back by nine. Is that clear?	
Do you think we could see the flat?	
You have to get a visa to visit America.	
You can't smoke in here, I'm afraid.	
Can I borrow your pen a minute?	
Can you give me a hand with this?	
We haven't been able to find a replacement.	
Would you like to go for drink?	
Could you let me know as soon as possible?	
It might rain - better take an umbrella.	
He could dance better than any of the others.	
They managed to get all the work done before five.	
She can run a kilometer in under three minutes	

Answers	

There are 10 modal auxiliary verbs in British English.
What are they?

can		could		may		might		shall	
should		will		would		must 		ought to  

Functions
Modals are used to express functions. Some common functions are:

	ability	
	permission	
	possibility and certainty	
	necessity (obligation)	
	asking people to do things (requests)	
	suggestions offers and invitations	

Examples.
Match the examples to the functions above.

Example	Function	
Could you move your car, please?	request	
You can't smoke in most restaurants nowadays.	permission	
Would you like to come for dinner?	invitation	
It must be a mistake - I'm sure I said I wanted blue.	possibility	
You must not drink the water under any circumstances.	necessity / obligation	
He could ride a horse almost before he could walk.	ability	

Note:
(1) Each modal can express more than one function.
	Function	
Can I help you?	offer	
He can speak Italian and Spanish.	ability	

(2) Each function can be expressed by a number of words and phrases including modals.
	Function	
You can't smoke in here.	permission	
You're not allowed to take the books home.	permission	

You're not allowed to make personal calls.	permission	
He can't have gone home - his bag is still here.	possibility - certainty	
Do you fancy going for a walk?	invitation	
You must be back by nine. Is that clear?	obligation - necessity	
Do you think we could see the flat?	permission	
You have to get a visa to visit America.	obligation - necessity	
You can't smoke in here, I'm afraid.	permission	
Can I borrow your pen a minute?	permission	
Can you give me a hand with this?	request	
We haven't been able to find a replacement.	ability	
Would you like to go for drink?	invitation	
Could you let me know as soon as possible?	request	
It might rain - better take an umbrella.	possibility - certainty	
He could dance better than any of the others.	ability	
They managed to get all the work done before five.	ability	
She can run a kilometer in under three minutes	ability