Modal verbs

Modal verbs construction

                                    normal verb                    modal verb 

affirmative                    he works                        he can work 

negation                      he does not work           he cannot work 

emphatic                     he does work hard         he can work hard 

question                      does he work here?        can he work at all? 

negation + question    does he not work here? can he not work at all? 

CAN/COULD/BE ABLE TO

could- can - will be able to

I could ski when I was 5.

I can ski now.

I will be able to speak Chinese in 3 months.

I can teach Math modules well.

I' m not able to teach Math modules well with 22 computers for 45 students.

Politeness:

Can I come in? - less polite

Could I come in? - more polite

1._______ Tony run long distances when he was a boy?

2.______ you please call a tow truck for me? My car broke down. (polite)

3.The students _______ to buy their textbooks today. The bookstore is all out of them.

4______ you teach me how to fix my computer? You’re so good at it.

5.______ you ______ reach the customer if you call him at 4:00 his time?

MAY/MIGHT

Permission/Polite request

May I come in?

You may wear shorts to the university

Possibility

It might/may rain. (approximately 50 %)

Polite Suggestion

You may use those interactive exercises in your classroom.

Should - Shall- Ought to

Advice- Should

You should go to a doctor.