Modals

There are nine (9) modal verbs: can, could, should, would, will, must, might, may and shall

Structure of Modals and Modal Sentences

Modal verbs do not have infinitive forms.

Modal verbs never end with "ing" or "s" or "ed".

Modal verbs are never preceded by the word "to".

Modal verbs are never followed by another modal verb.

Affirmative Statements

Model -- MODAL + VERB + blah blah blah.

Example -- We must get prepared to produce our own food.

Notice that VERB means an infinitive without the word "to".

Negative Statements

Model -- SUBJECT + MODAL + not +VERB + blah blah blah.

Example -- Those who want to survive wish should not stay in or near urban areas.

Notice that VERB means an infinitive without the word "to".

Yes/No Questions

Model -- MODAL + SUBJECT + VERB + blah blah blah.

Example -- Can you help me in the morning?

Notice that VERB means an infinitive without the word "to".

Information Questions

Model -- W/H + MODAL + SUBJECT + VERB + blah blah blah.

Example -- What will you plant next month?

Notice that VERB means an infinitive without the word "to".

My Output Usage Recommendations

In your English output use the nine (9) modals in these ways exclusively. These are my suggestions in order to avoid output confusion. Speak and write the nine (9) modals in the following ways, only. 1. *CAN* *ability* 1.1 You can speak English. 1.2 1.3 Can your children swim? 1.4 2. *COULD* *past ability* 2.1 I could play the piano.

2.2 2.3 Could you do cartwheels when you were a child?

2.4

3. *SHOULD* *advice* 3.1 I should invest in food and clean water production. 3.2

3.3Should my family move to another country?

3.4 4. *WOULD* *repeated past action* 4.1 In my youth, I used to play chess with my father. 4.2

4.3 Would you live with your grandparents during school breaks? 4.4

4. *WOULD* *In the result clause of a second conditional sentence.* 4.11If I had a trusted source, I would acquire more silver.

4.22 4.33If you had more time and cash, _would you travel more?_

4.44 5. *WILL* *future action* 5.1 I will visit San Miguel de Allende before my birthday.

5.2

5.3 Will Barbara take another watercolor class?

5.4

6. *MUST* *obligation* 6.1 We must be responsible for ourselves. 6.2

6.3 Must we go to school?

6.4

6. *MUST NOT* *prohibition* 6.11 We must not expect any government to protect us.

6.22

7. *MIGHT* *possibility* 7.1 Edwin might be having lunch now.

7.2

7.3 Might you visit the USA next year?

7.4 8. *MAY* *permission* 8.1 My brother may use my room in my absence.

8.2

8.3 May I set up the meeting for Tuesday at 4PM?

8.4

SHALL *suggestion* (when the subject is "we")

Shall we dance?

The Multiple Functions of Modals

CAN

ABILITY Fer can speak Italian.

INFORMAL PERMISSION Can I leave class early today?

INFORMAL REQUEST Can you send me the URL?

POSSIBILITY I can help you later.

COULD

PAST ABILITY I could run fast when I was a child.

PERMISSION Could I leave work early today?

POLITE REQUEST Could you help me, please?

SUGESTION You could talk to her.

POSSIBILITY I could help you later.

SHOULD

ADVICE You should study tonight.

EXPECTATION She should do well on the test.

WOULD

POLITE REQUEST Would you help me, please?

REPEATED PAST ACTION When I was a child, I would play everyday.

SECOND CONDITIONAL RESULT CLAUSE If I had time, I would have lunch.

REPORTED SPEECH I don't know where he is. He said he would be here today.

WILL

FUTURE I will meet Carine in person tomorrow.

POLITE REQUEST Will you help me, please?

SPONTANEOUS DECISION I'll have the vegetarian lasagna.

MUST

OBLIGATION You must pay the fine.

STRONG NECESSITY I must go to the bank later today.

PROHIBIITON You must not drink and drive.

LOGICAL CONCLUSION He didn't come, so he must be sick.

MIGHT

FUTURE POSSIBILITY He might be here tomorrow.

POSSIBILITY He might be at the library.

LOGICAL CONCLUSION He didn't come, so he might be sick.

MAY

FORMAL PERMISSION May I leave early today?

FUTURE POSSIBILITY He may be here in the afternoon.

LOGICAL CONCLUSION He didn't come, so he may be sick.

SHALL

POLITE OFFER Shall I get you some water?

SUGGESTION Shall we go?

Function Redundancy

ABILITY I can speak English. (current fact)

I could run faster when I was younger. (past fact)

PERMISSION May I leave early today? (formal/very polite)

Could I leave early today? (polite)

Can I leave early today? (informal)

REQUEST Would you help me, please? (formal/very polite)

Will you help me, please? (polite)

Can you help me please? (informal)

FUTURE She should do well on the test. (expectation about future)

I will do it tomorrow. (expressing intention or probability)

She may be here in the afternoon (possibility)

SPONTANEOUS DECISION I'll have the Chef's Salad.

POSSIBILITY I could help you.

He might be in the library.

SUGGESTION You should study tonight. (strong advice/suggestion)

You could talk to her (gentle advice/suggestion)

Shall we go? (very polite/formal)

OBLIGATION You must pay the fine.

STRONG NECESITY I must go to the bank today.

PROHIBITION You must not drink and drive.

LOGICAL CONCLUSION He didn't come, so he must be sick. (strong belief)

He didn't come, so he may be sick. (guess)

REPEATED PAST ACTION When I was a child, I would play everyday.

CONDITIONAL If she buys groceries on Sunday, she will have enough to

eat for the week. (first conditional if clause--probable future)

If I had money, I would travel. (second conditional--unlikely

future)

If I had eaten earlier, I wouldn't have been hungry.( third -

unreal conditional)

POLITE OFFER Shall I get you some water?