Guide PRACTICE Modal Verbs, English PDF

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Summary

Modal verbs. Use the forms of modal verbs in different contexts.
Establish a critical position on a current situation by using modal verbs....

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UNIVERSIDAD PEDAGÓGICA Y TECNOLÓGICA DE COLOMBIA VICERRECTORÍA ACADÉMICA INSTITUTO INTERNACIONAL DE IDIOMAS guía para el desarrollo de clases virtuales

COURSE

GUIDE

TOPIC

GRAMMAR

English V

1

MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

EXPECTED TIME OF WORK 8 hours

(weeks 2 and 3) Teacher: 1. OBJECTIVES: ● Use the forms of modal verbs in different contexts. ● Establish a critical position on a current situation by using modal verbs. 2.

PRESENTATION:

Dear Student, in this guide you will develop different activities that will motivate and facilitate your learning process, the topic to be developed is: modal verbs. They are helping verbs that express a wide range of meanings (ability, permission, possibility, necessity, etc.). Most of the modal verbs have more than one meaning. You will be able to improve your English by developing this guide. In this process you are the main protagonist and I will be assisting you in anything that you need. Never hesitate to ask me anything concerning this guide. 2.1. Initial reflection What do you think these phrases mean? - May I go to the bathroom? a. ¿En mayo voy al baño? b. ¿May y yo vamos al baño? c. ¿Me permite ir al baño?

- You should stop smoking. a. Tú deberías dejar de fumar. b. Deberías usar esmoquin. c. Pararías de ahumar.

Did you know that the underlined verbs are modal verbs? 2.2. Contextualization What is the function of each modal verb in the sentence? Match column A to column B. 1. Bob can play the piano

(3) Advice

2. It may rain tomorrow.

(4) Expressing necessity

3. She should break up with him

(1) Ability

4. All passengers must present their passports.

(5) Expressing politeness

5. Would you please open the door?

(2) Possibility

- Read the following text and identify the known vocabulary. Based on the vocabulary you are familiar with, can you understand what the text is about? - Underline in a color the modal verbs used in the text.

A. Superstitions are beliefs that some things can't be explained by reason and that there are certain objects or actions that bring good or bad luck. Most superstitions are old and people usually have no idea where they came from. We may be told, for example, that we should never open an umbrella indoors, because. that will bring bad luck. We aren't told why or what kind of bad thing might happen to us, but few of us are going to try to find out. B. Everyone knows that 13 is an unlucky number. Other things that can bring bad luck include breaking a mirror, walking under a ladder or spilling salt. At least when you spill salt, you can avoid bad luck by immediately throwing some of the salt over your left shoulder with your right hand. Unfortunately, the man sitting behind you at that moment will suddenly get a shower of salt all over him. Obviously, he must have done something earlier that brought him bad luck. C. If you ask people why it is bad luck to walk under a ladder, they usually say that it's because something might fall on your head. It could be a hammer, a brick, a piece-of-wood, paint or water. It is interesting that superstition is explained in terms of such ordinary things. The origin of the superstition is much darker and scarier. According to the Oxford Guide to British and American Culture, 'this idea may have developed out of the practice in medieval times of hanging criminals from ladders: D. Mare confusing are those superstitions that seem to have different meanings for different people. Some. people will tell you that it is bad luck if a black cat walks in front of you. Others will say that seeing a black cat is supposed to be lucky. Other tokens of good luck are a rabbit's foot (not lucky for the rabbit, obviously), a special coin, a four-leaf clover and a horseshoe. If you hang the horseshoe over your front door to bring luck to your house, you must be careful to have the open end pointing upwards. If you hang it the other way, your good luck will just drop out through the gap. You can also wish for good luck by crossing your fingers. You don't have to cross all of them, only the middle finger · over the index finger. E. There are special phrases that people use to bring luck. There's 'Good luck: of course. Another expression is 'Touch wood' or 'Knock on wood’. This is usually heard when people talk about their good luck or when they are hoping that they will be able to get or do something they want. By using the expression, the speaker tries to avoid having any bad luck that might be caused. by talking about having good luck. If there isn't anything wooden to touch, some people will tap themselves on the head as they say 'Touch wood’. However, acting as if you have a wooden head, touching it with your fingers crossed-and saying 'Knock on wood' all at once won't necessarily increase your luck. * Taken from: Yule, G. (2008). Oxford Practice Grammar. Advanced Student’s Book with Tests and Practice-Boost CD-ROM. New Edition. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

- Choose one of the following as the final sentence of each of the paragraphs A – E above. 1. People will just think you’re very superstitious or possibly crazy. (E) 2. That explanation makes the superstition much easier to understand. (C) 3. With your fingers like this, however, it may be hard to nail that horseshoe over your door. (D) 4. We just don’t open one until we are outside. (A) 5. Perhaps he had opened an umbrella indoors. (B)

3.

APPROPRIATION

The verbs listed below are called “modal verbs.” They are helping verbs that express a wide range of meanings (ability, permission, possibility, necessity, etc.). AUXILIARY + THE SIMPLE FORM OF A VERB

can could may might should had better must will would

Olga can speak English. He couldn’t come to class. It may rain tomorrow. It might rain tomorrow. Mary should study harder. I had better study harder. Joe must see a doctor today. I will be in class tomorrow. Would you please close the door?

AUXILIARY + TO + THE SIMPLE FORM OF A VERB have to have got to ought to

I have to study tonight. I have got to study tonight. Kate ought to study harder.

Can, could, may, might, should, had better, must, will, and would are immediately followed by the simple form of a verb.

They are not followed by to INCORRECT: Olga can to speak English. INCORRECT: Mary should to study harder. To + the simple form is used with these auxiliaries: have to, have got to, and ought to

Most of the modals have more than one meaning.

MODAL CAN BE ABLE TO

EXAMPLES He can find any street in London. You can take a taxi. Can you take me to Victoria Station? He is able to find any street in London. That story can´t be true.

CAN´T

COULD

I could play tennis when I was younger. Could you take me to Victoria Station? You could take a taxi. It may be quicker to travel by train.

MAY

May I come in?.

MIGHT

It might be quicker to travel by train. You must be back at 10 o´clock.

MUST

Look at the snow. It must be cold outside.

HAVE TO

You have to study tonight.

HAVE GOT TO

You have got to study tonight.

USES Ability Suggestio n Request Ability Certainty that something is impossible Ability Request Suggestio n Possibility Formal request Possibility Obligation Certainty that something is true Obligation Obligation

MUSTN´T

You mustn´t drive without a license.

DON´T HAVE TO

You don´t have to call a taxi.

SHOULD

You should drive more carefully

HAD BETTER

You’d better drive more carefully.

OUGHT TO

You ought to drive more carefully

Prohibition Lack of obligation Opinion / Advice Opinion / Advice Opinion / Advice

*table taken from: https://iesalfonsox.es/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Modal-verbs.-Theory-and-examples-1.pdf

Characteristics of these verbs: They do not have a final –s INCORRECT: He cans swim�

CORRECT: He can swim✔

The main verb does not have a final –s or-ing, INCORRECT She should reads more�

CORRECT She should read more✔

They do not use do or does to form the negative or interrogative form. INCORRECT I don’t can speak French.� INCORRECT She doesn’t must play with matches. �

CORRECT I can’t speak French✔ CORRECT She mustn’t play with matches ✔

* have to and have got to are considered as “semimodal verbs” because they do not follow the same characteristics as the other modal verbs. INCORRECT: She have to study harder.� INCORRECT: I haven’t to work today.�

CORRECT: She has to study harder✔ CORRECT: I don’t have to work today✔

If you want to learn more about this topic: ●

4.

Complete Guide to English Modal Verbs - English Grammar Lesson (https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=4GMU08J98MQ)

EXERCISES1

- Add to where necessary. If no to is necessary, write �. 1. I have ___to__ go downtown tomorrow. 2. Tom must _�__ see his dentist. 3. Could you please ____[]__ open the window? 4. May I __[]____ borrow your pen? 5. A good book can ___[]___ be a friend for life. 6. I ought ___to___ go to the post office this afternoon. 7. Jimmy is yawning and rubbing his eyes. He must __[]____ be sleepy. 8. I have got __to____ go to the post office this afternoon. 9. Shouldn't you ___[]__ save a little money for a rainy day? 10. Poor Edward. He has _to____ go to the hospital for an operation. 11. Alex! Stop! You must not ___[]___ run into the street when there's traffic!

1 Adapted from: Azar, B. S. (2003). Fundamentals of English Grammar (3rd ed.). White Plains, NY: Longman.

- Correct the errors. 1. Can you to help me, please? 2. I must studying for an exam tomorrow. 3. We couldn’t went to the party last night. 4. I am have to improve my English as soon as possible. 5. You shouldn’t to spend all your free time at the computer. 6. My mother can’t speaking English, but she can speaks several other languages.

Expressing ability: CAN and CAN’T. Complete the sentences with can and can’t. 1. A cat can climb trees, but it can´t fly. 2. A fish can´t walk, but it can swim. 3. A dog can bark, but it can´t sing. 4. A tiny baby can cry, but it can´t talk. 5. You can store water in a glass jar, but you can´t store it in a paper bag. Expressing past ability: COULD and COULDN’T. Complete the sentences with could or couldn’t. Example: A year ago I couldn't speak English well, but now I can. 1. When I was a baby, I couldn´t run on the runway ,but now I can. 2. When I was a child, I could play all day _, but now I can't. 3. When I was thirteen, I could skate ,but I couldn't do that when I was three. 4. Five years ago, I could go out on weekends ,but now I can't. 5. In the past, I couldn´t cook, but now I can. Expressing ability, possibility, and permission: CAN, MAY, and MIGHT. Complete the sentences with can, may, and might. Use the negative as appropriate. Identify the meaning expressed by the modals: ability, possibility, or permission. 1. I can play only one musical instrument: the piano. I can’t play a guitar. (meaning expressed by modals: ability) 2. Tommy, you may stay up until eight tonight, but you may not stay up past that time. (meaning expressed by modal: permission) 3. A: What are you going to do this evening? B: I don't know. I might stay home, or I might go over to Anita's house. (meaning expressed by modals: possibility) 4. A: What are you going to order? B: I don't know. I may have the tofu pasta. (meaning expressed by modals:possibility) 5. A: Would you like some more food? B: No, thanks. I can´t eat another bite. I'm full. (meaning expressed by modals: ability) 6. A: Is it okay if I have a piece of candy, Mom?

B: No, but you can have an orange. (meaning expressed by modals:persmission ) 7. A: Which of these oranges is sweet? I like only sweet oranges. B: How should I know? I can´t tell if an orange is sweet just by looking at it. Can you? Here. Try this one. It may be sweet enough for you. If it isn't, put some sugar on it. (meaning expressed by modals: ability - possibility) 8. May I have everyone's attention? The test is about to begin. If you need to leave the room during the examination, please raise your hand. You can´t leave the room without permission. Are there any questions? No? Then you can open your test booklets and begin. (meaning expressed by modals: ability) - Expressing advice: SHOULD and OUGHT TO. Give advice using should or ought to. 1. I'm sleepy. You should /ought to drink a cup of coffee. 2. I'm hungry: You should cook a sandwich. 3. I’m cold: You should put on jacket 4. I have a toothache: You ought to go the dentis . 5. I have the hiccups. What should I do? You should hold your breath . 6. I’m hot: You ought to turn on the fan 7. I have a headache: You should take a pill. 8. Someone stole my bicycle. What should I do? You should go to the police. 9. I bought a pair of pants that don’t fit. They’re too long. You ought to take the pants where a dressmaker. 10. I always make a lot of spelling mistakes when I write. I don’t know what to do about it. What do you suggest? You should practice with te dictionary and read - Expressing advice: HAD BETTER. Give advice using had better. 1. It’s raining. I need to go out. You’d better take your umbrella. 2. I haven’t paid my electric bill. You had better pay it now. 3. I need to be at the airport at 7 am tomorrow. You had better go to sleep early. 4. Camila wants to go to a movie tonight, but she has a test tomorrow. She had better study for a test. - Expressing necessity. HAVE TO, HAVE GOT TO, MUST. Answer the following questions. 1. What is something you have to do today? I have to study for exam the English. 2. What is something you had to do yesterday? I had to go to the cinema with my best friend 3. What is something you’ve got to do soon? I have got to arrive to the airport 4. What is something a driver must do, according to the law? A driver must have license - Expressing lack of necessity (DO NOT HAVE TO) and prohibition (MUST NOT). Complete the sentences with don't/doesn't have to or must not (mustn’t). 1. You must not not drive when you are tired. It's dangerous. 2. I live only a few blocks from my office. I don’t have to drive to work. 3. Liz finally got a car, so now she usually drives to work. She don´t have to take the bus. 4. Tommy, you must not say that word. It's not a nice word. 5. Mr. Moneybags is very rich. He don´t have to work for a living. 6. You must not tell Jim about the surprise birthday party. Do you promise? 7. According to the rules of the game, one player must not hit or trip another player.

8. If you use a toll-free number, you don´t have to pay for the phone call. 9. A: Did Professor Adams make an assignment? B: Yes, she assigned Chapters 4 and 6, but we must not read Chapter 5. 10. Listen carefully, Annie. If a stranger offers you a ride, you must not get in the car. Never get in a car with a stranger. Do you understand? B: Yes, Mom For further practice ● If you want to complement what you have learned in this guide, you can do these exercises online. o https://www.e-grammar.org/modal-verbs-can-may-must/test1-exercise2/ o https://www.e-grammar.org/modal-verbs-can-may-must/test2-exercise2/ o https://www.e-grammar.org/modal-verbs-can-may-must/test1-exercise1/ o https://www.e-grammar.org/modal-verbs-can-may-must/test3-exercise2/ 5.

TASKS 1. Send an audio file answering the following questions: - What are your duties and obligations as a student? What can you do and what can't you do at university? - What should you do to be a successful student? What should you do to improve your English?

(audio length: 3 minutes) 6.

I EVALUATE MY PROCESS

Excellent

Quality indicator 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

I pronounce the words correctly. I give my answer naturally and fluently. I use modal verbs appropriately. I use the time required in the audio. I respond to what is requested in the assignment.

Good

Fair

Needs improvement

c

BIBLIOGRAPHY The different exercises in this guide were retrieved or adapted from: Azar, B. S. (2003). Fundamentals of English Grammar (3rd ed.). White Plains, NY: Longman. Yule, G. (2008). Oxford Practice Grammar. Advanced Student’s Book with Tests and Practice-Boost CD-ROM. New Edition. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press....