UNIT 2 Modals
Lesson 1: Introducing Modals
Read the story of Helen Keller below. Notice the underlined words. When
you finish reading, discuss the questions that follow.
1. What meanings do the underlined words convey?
2. Can you understand what mood/emotion is expressed by each of these
words?
3. Can you change the forms of these words?
Read the Dialogue below and notice the underlined words. A list of various
functions is given in the box. In pairs discuss what function is expressed by
each of the underlined words.
possibility ability permission advice strong obligation
Dialogue: A VisZzzZit to London
A: What do you think I ought to see in London first?
B: Well, historical places, I think. You should go to the Westminster Abbey,
and if you can, go to the Houses of Parliament and the National Gallery.
A: And what about the British
Museum? I was told one ought to see
It.
B: I suppose you must go there. There
you can find masterpieces of the
world's best artists.
A: How can I get to the centre?
B: I think you can go by steamer down the Thames from Westminster to
Tower Bridge. That's a very pleasant way to travel, and you can see the
London Bridge and quite a number of buildings on the way.
[adapted]
You might have noticed that the underlined words such as can, could, may,
might, must, ought to, shall, should, will, and would, do not change form for
different subjects. These are special verbs which behave irregularly in English.
They are different from normal verbs like 'work, play, visit' They give
additional Information about the function of the main verb that follows It.
They have a great varlety of communicative tunctions. They are known as
Modals (also called modal verbs, modal audllary verbs, modal auxilares)
In the story and the dialogue above, the underlined words that you have come
across are examples of modals. While discussing questions 1-4 above, what
characteristics of modals have you talked about?
Read about the characteristies of medals and compare them with what you
have discussed.
Some characteristics of modal verbs:
• They never change their form. You can't add 's', 'ed', 'ing'.
• They are always followed by an Infinitive without 'to' (except In phrases
like ought to). .
• They are used to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation,
necessity, ability.
Read the dialogues below. How many modals can you find? Do they have the
characteristics discussed above?
Dialogues: Asking the Way
A: Excuse me. Can you tell me where
Panthapath is, please?
B: Take the second turn on the left and
then ask again. A: Is it far?
B: No, you an walk It In ten minutes.
A: Thank you very much.
B: It's a pleasure.
A: Excuse me, please. Could you tell me
how to get to the Novo Theatre?
B: Sure, go straight, take the first right tum and then the second left.
You can't miss it.
A: Thank you.
B: That's OK
So, what different modals are there in English? By now you should be able to
make a list of the modal verbs. Here is one:
can, could, may, mlght, will, would, shall, should, must
Also you must have noticed some verbs of expressions such as dare, ought to,
had better, and need not in the above story or dialogues. They often behave
Iske modal auxiliaries and may be added to the list of modals.
Remember, modal verbs are used to express functions such as:
1. permission
2. ability
3 .obligation
4. prohibition
5. lack of necessity
6. advice
7. possibility
8. probability
Exercise:
Underline modals In the dialogues below. Tell your partner what function or
emotion is expressed by each modal.
Dialogue 2: In a Restaurant
Waiter: Can I take your order, sir?
Mr.X: Rice and vegetables for me, please.
Waiter: May I take your order, sir?
Mr. N; Yes, I'd like to try the kebab, please.
Dialogue 5
A: Can you play tennis?
B: Yes, I can, a little. Can you?
A: No, I'm afraid, I can't, but I can play badminton quite well.
Lesson 2: Uses of Modals
Uses of can and could
Work in pairs. Tell your partner what you can do now using the computers and
the Internet. Also talk about what you were not able to do when computers
and the Internet were not a part of your life.
Notice how you have used can/can't and could/couldn't in your talk. What
differences do you notice between can and could?
Read the review of a new model of mobile phone. Make a list of the things
you can do with this phone. T
Read the dialogues below and discuss the questions that follow.
Dialogue 1
A: Hello, friend. I need some help with my typing.
B: What type of help do you need?
A: I have to type a text in Bangla but I don't know how to type in Bangla.
B: No problem, I can help you with that. It's easy to type in Bangla. I can type
50 words per minute now.
A: That's great. How long have you been practising it? In fact I could not type
in Bangla even two years ago. But I practised hard and now I can type quickly
and easily.
Dialogue 2
A: Hello, friend, Can you help me?
B: Sure. What can I do for you?
A: My phone is out of balance and I need to call my home now.
Could I use your mobile phone?
B: Certainly, here is my phone.
Have you noticed the various ideas/modes expressed by can/could? Discuss
the following questions:
a. How do the speakers in Dialogue 1 talk about their past and present
abilities/inabilities?
b. How do the people in Dialogue 2 talk to give or ask for permission?
Now, read the following section to know more about the uses of can/could.
The modal auxiliary can is used
• to express ability (in the sense of being able to do something or
knowing how to do something): He can speak Spanish but he can't
write it very well.
• to express permission (in the sense of being allowed or permitted
to do something): Can I talk to my friends in the library waiting
room?
• to express possibility: (in the sense that something may happen)
Bangladeshi cricketers can do better if they play more international
matches.
The modal auxiliary could is used
• to express an ability in the past:
I could run five miles when I was young.
• to ask for permission:
Could I borrow your laptop for an hour?
• to express present possibility:
We could spend the afternoon just sitting around and talking.
• to express possibility or ability within a given condition:
If he studied harder, he could pass the exam.
Exercise 1
Complete the sentences below with can/could. Also discuss the meaning
expressed by can/could in each sentences. You need to use the negatives
(can’t/couldn't) where necessary.
1. She doesn't want to go to the swimming pool because she .........
swim.
2. We are going to the cinema tonight. You ................... come with us
if you want to
3. Excuse me Sir, .................... please tell me where the railway station is?
4. I am sure she .......................... play the guitar better when she was
younger.
5. It is hot in here, ............................you open the window, please ?
6. He worked so hard ! He... ....................pass his exam if he had not
missed his train and got there late.
7. Oh Mom! You have made a cake! ..................... smell it when |
entered the kitchen.
Uses of may and might
Read the sentences below and notice the uses of may/might. Discuss in
pairs the functions of may and might in each sentence.
1. Take your umbrella as it may rain today.
2. He is still at work! He may come home late I'm afraid.
3. Jamil couldn't repair his fridge; he might have asked his neighbour.
4. They talked too loudly. They might have woken the baby!
5. Look at those clouds! It may rain in a minute.
Now, read the section below to check when and where we use may/might.
Might is the past tense of may when used in the context of granting or seeking
permission. Also note that might is considerably more uncertain than may.
Example:
· • May I leave class early?
• If I finish all my work, I might leave early.
Exercise 2
Fill in the blanks with can/could/may/might as needed.
1. They (can/might) ................... be away for the weekend but I'm not sure.
2. You (may/might) ................. leave now if you like.
3. (Could/May) .................. you open the window a bit, please?
4. He (can/could) .................. be a foreigner. He speaks differently.
5. (May/Can) .............. you play the piano?
6. They (can't/may not) ..... .......... still be out! There is light in their room.
7. Let's hope, tomorrow (can/could) ......... ... be a sunny day. It has been
raining for few days. 8
. You (can/might) .. ................ be right but I'm going back to check anyway.
Uses of should, must and have to
Ann is asking Tom for advice on going to Russia. It is her first time to travel
abroad. Now read the dialogue between Anne and Tom and notice the uses of
should/must/have to.
It's 8.15 am and the school starts at 8.00 am. Tohin's mother is talking to him.
Notice how she uses should/must/have to.
1. You must be at school by this time.
2. You stay away from school, it's bad for your education. It's also
against the rules.
3. You don't have to take a bus, I'll drive you to school.
4. You should go to bed earlier at night. You'd feel more relaxed in the morning.
Read the following situations and fill in the gaps with should/must have to.
Ratan looks very pale and tired.
 |
Rosy said she would invite me to her party but she didn't.
1. She ............ make false promises. 2.
2.You ............ get offended, she may have forgotten to ring you up.
3. You .......... think there's something wrong with you. It was Rosy's
mistake.
4. If you don't go to her party, you ............. buy her a present.
Discuss in palrs when and where you may use must/should have to. Then
read the section below to check your understanding.
Must is the most commonly used modal to express certainty. It can also be
used to express necessity or strong recommendation, although people often
use the form 'have to'.
One may use must not to prohibit actions, but this sounds very strong or rude.
It is better to use softer modal verbs such as should not or ought not to
discourage something rather than prohibit.
Examples:
• This must be the right address! (certainty)
• Students must pass an admission to study at this school. (necessity)
• You must take some medicine for that cough. (strong
recommendation)
• Jenny, you must not play in the street! (prohibition)
Must not vs. Do not have to
Must not suggests that you are prohibited from doing something. Do not
have to suggest that someone is not required to do something.
Examples:
• You must not eat that. (It is forbidden, it is not allowed.)
• You don't have to eat that. (You can if you want to, but it is not
necessary)
Should is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice.
It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.
Examples:
• When you go to Agra, you should see the Taj. (recommendation)
• You should focus more on study and less on games. (advice)
• I really should be in the class by 9.00 am. (obligation)
• By now, they should already be in Dhaka. (expectation)
Have to is used to express certainty, necessity, and obligation.
Examples:
• This answer has to be correct. (certainty)
• The milk has to be stirred continuously to prevent burning. (necessity)
• They have to leave early. (obligation)
Ought to is used to advise or make recommendations. Ought to also expresses
assumption or expectation as well as strong probability, often with the idea
that something is desirable. Ought not (without 'to') is used to advise against
doing something.
Examples:
• You ought to stop smoking. (recommendation)
• Robi ought to get the promotion. (It is expected because he deservesit.)
• This piece of land ought to increase in value. (probability)
• You ought not waste your time. (advice against doing something)
Exercise 3
Complete the sentences using the italicized words below. Positive and
negative forms can be used. Some gaps may have more than one answer.
must have to might ought to should
1. Ruma said you didn't need to buy her anything for her birthday,
but I really think you.................... at least get her some flowers.
2. Deeba said she was really busy this week, but I think she........
show up at the party.
3. You ..................be joking! That can't be true.
4. For most people, learning a language is not so easy. You ...........
npractise the language regularly.
5. I would love to go on the cruise on the Buriganga with some of
my classmates. But such a luxurious trip .............. be
expensive.
6. we.................. to get permission from the Headmaster if
we want to organize a picnic.
Uses of shall, will and would
Make five promises expressing your strong willingness or determination to do
something
Example: I shall never be late at school.
Promises to keep
1. .........................................
2. ..........................................
3. ..........................................
4. ..........................................
5. ..........................................
Now, read the following sections to know about the use of will/would.
In certain contexts, will and would are interchangeable, but there are
differences. Notice that the contracted form 'l is very frequently used for will.
Will can be used to express willingness:
• I'll wash the dishes if you dry them up.
• We're going to the movies. Will you join us?
It can also express intention (especially in the first person):
I'll do my exercises later on.
It can also express prediction:
• specific: The meeting will be over soon.
• timeless: Too much rain will destroy crops.
• habitual: He will eat bananas in the morning.
Would can also be used to express willingness:
• Would you please take off your coat?
Look at the table and see the meaning, function and uses of modals
Exercise 4
Complete the sentences using the words listed in the box below. Don't forget
to capitalise when necessary. Some gaps may have more than one correct
answer.
1. Akram's flight from Rome took more than 11 hours. He .................... be
exhausted after such a long flight. He .................. prefer to stay at home
tonight and get some rest.
2. When you have a small child in the house, you ....................leave small
objects lying around. Such objects .................... hurt the child.
3. Amjad: ......................you hold your breath for more than a minute?
Nasim: No, I can't.
4. Joyeta's engagement ring is enormous! It .................... have cost a fortune
.
5. Please water my plants while I am away. If they don't get enough water,
they..................die.
6. I ..................... Speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we lived in
Saudi Arabia.
7. You ...................take your umbrella along with you today. The weather
forecast said there ...... ............rain later of this afternoon.
8. Oh no! Faisal's wallet is lying on the dining table. He ... .... have left it
here last night.
9. I was reading the book last night before I went to bed. I never took it out of
this room. It .....................be lying around here somewhere. Where
.............. it be?
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