Page 59 - English_Spark_8

Language Ladder GRAMMAR Language Skills

Modals

Modals help modify the meanings of the main verbs. They combine with main verbs to convey
certain meanings, such as necessity, permission, possibility, ability, and more.

Let us look at this table to revise some of the modals we already know.

Modal Function Example

should / should not to give advice or express an You should drive more carefully.
opinion We should not cross the road when
the red light is on.

could / could not to show a possibility Priya could be right. Let’s go ahead

to ask for permission or make a with what she says.
request Could I please borrow your
earplugs?

We could not win the match.
must/ must not to draw an inference or a Anaya is still asleep. She must be
deduction unwell.

to show that something is an You must not park here.
obligation

can / cannot to indicate an ability or a I can climb a tree.
possibility The speech for the programme can
to ask for permission or make a not be written tomorrow.
request Can I please be excused for an hour?

Can you please tell me the name of
the hockey team’s captain?

will / will not to make a request Will you let me know the status by
this evening, please?

may / may not to declare an intention I will not take my nephew to the
to ask for permission or make a park today.
request May I go to watch a film with my
to suggest a possibility friends?

I know your sister’s name? I think I
know her.
They may not deliver the gas cylinder
tomorrow.

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