Grammar
Introduction
In this section, you are going to learn about modal verbs.
Modal verbs modify the meaning of the main verb.
In Dutch, these verbs are called 'modale hulpwerkwoorden' and they comprise 'zullen, kunnen, willen, mogen' and 'moeten/hoeven te'.
The good news is: the English use of modals is far less complicated than the Dutch one. English modal verbs cannot be stacked like Dutch ones, e.g. 'Ik zou hebben willen kunnen blijven zitten lezen'.
On the other hand: Dutch and English modal may look or sound similar and yet not mean exactly the same. Therefore, they will be introduced to you by their function in the sentence.
In this section, we distinguish the following functions:
Modals of:
- Ability
- Possibility
- Permission
- Advice
- Necessity
Modals of ability, possibility and permission
Modals of ability
Let’s start with expressing ability!
We use can, be able to and could to show that someone has (or doesn’t have) an ability to do something. Look at these examples:
| Alan can swim well. |
Jackie cannot play piano. |
Paul could speak Chinese when he was a child. |
Mary couldn’t finish her homework last night. |
| I can meet you after school. |
We can’t visit Vancouver this weekend. |
Last night, there were no clouds in the sky and they could see all the stars. |
You couldn’t find the website this morning, could you? |
| I am able to speak two languages. |
I am not able to speak Arabic. |
After three weeks in an Italian restaurant, I was able to bake a decent pizza. |
I wasn’t able to finish my test yesterday. |
Did you notice that the verbs after “can/could/be able to” are always in the simple form?
How can we make questions about ability? It’s easy!
- Modal auxiliary + subject + main verb + rest of sentence ?
Can she play guitar?
Could you speak English when you were a child?
- BE + subject + able to + main verb + rest of sentence ?
Are you able to understand the homework?
Was he able to pass the exam?
Note: We do not need the verbs “do/does/did” when we make questions!
Modals of possibility
Let’s learn about expressing possibility now.
The verbs may, might and could show possibility now and in the future.
In this case, they almost have the same meaning. Look at this conversation:
A: My mother said that it may snow tomorrow.
B: Really? It might snow?! That’s great! I could make a snowman or go for a “snow” walk.
A: Don’t get too excited. If the temperature is high, it may not snow. It may rain.
B: Well, I guess I could still go for a walk in the rain.
Be careful with may + “be” and “maybe”. Compare these sentences. Both are correct.
Ann is not here today. She may be sick. ➨ “may be” is a modal.
Ann is not here today. Maybe she is sick. ➨ “Maybe” is an adverb.
You can use must to say that you believe something is certain. 
You have been travelling all day. You must be tired.
She must get bored in her job: she does the same thing every day.
You use can't to say that you believe something is not possible.
You've just had lunch. You can't be hungry.
They haven't live here very long. They can't know many people.
Modals of permission
Finally, let’s look at ways to ask for and give permission.
We use may, could and can to do this.
| Formality |
Example |
| formal |
May I go to the bathroom?
May he use your phone?
|
| medium formal |
Could I borrow your dictionary?
Could he pay you tomorrow? |
| casual |
Can I call you back later?
Can she have a cookie? |
Now, look at the (main) verbs that come after the subject.
They are always in the simple form, just like after the other modal verbs.
The most polite/formal way to answer these questions is “may.”
Examples:
| May I go to the washroom? |
Yes, you may (go to the washroom)
Yes, you can |
No, you may not
No, you cannot/can't |
| Can she have a cookie? |
Yes, she can |
No, she cannot/can’t |
Modals of advice and necessity
modals of advice
Let's learn how to give advice!
English speakers use the modal verbs “should,” “ought to” and “had better” to express that they think something is a good (or a bad) idea. “Should” is the most common way to give advice. Look at these examples:
| Affirmative |
Negative |
Question |
A: I failed my test.
B: Really? You should study harder. |
Young children shouldn't watch violent TV shows. |
I have a problem. Should I call my parents or my friend? |
A: It's really cold outside.
B: You ought to wear a warm jacket. |
(“ought to” is not usually used in the negative form) |
(“ought to” is not common in question form) |
| A: You had better slow down. You are driving too fast! |
You had better not forget to pay your tuition. If you do, the university will kick you out! |
(“had better” is not usually used in question form) |
These examples have the same basic advice message, but “had better” is a bit stronger.
It includes the idea of a warning: something bad will happen if you do not follow my advice.
For example:
You had better not forget to pay your tuition. (If you forget, the university will kick you out.)
You had better do your homework. (If you do not do your homework, the teacher will give you a low mark.)
Note: You had better...” can be contracted to become “You'd better....”
Again, the modal verbs are followed by the simple form (hele werkwoord).
Note 2: Ought to is a modal verb and is followed by a simple verb.
The “to” is not an infinitive “to.”
modals of necessity
Let's read about how to express necessity or obligation. The modal verbs “must,” “have to” and “have got to” show that something is not optional; it is necessary.
Must is the strongest and most serious modal verb of the three and is most common in writing. It is unusual to use “must” in questions. Example: I must study tonight.
Have got to is most common in informal speech. It is not used in questions.
Example: I have got to study tonight. = I must study tonight.
Have to is the most commonly used modal of obligation. It is useful for forming questions and negatives.
Be careful! The subject and verb must agree for he/she/it subjects AND the question form requires “Do/Does/Did”.
| Example |
Question |
Answer |
| I have to study tonight |
Do I have to study tonight? |
Yes, I do |
| She has to study tonight |
Does she have to study tonight? |
No, she doesn't |
Remember: “have got to” and “have to” are modal verbs and require a simple verb to follow them. The “to” is part of the modal.
Past tense
There is only one way to express past time with these modal verbs: HAD TO.
(There is no past tense of must/have got to). Examples:
| Present time |
Past time |
| We must show our passport at the airport. |
Last night, we had to show our passport at the airport. |
| I have got to pay my phone bill soon. |
I had to pay my phone bill this morning. |
| They have to go to the meeting today. |
They had to go to the meeting yesterday. |
Pronunciation notes for American English:
- The modal verb have got to is often contracted as: I've got to and sounds like “I've gotta.".(or even: I gotta).
- The modal verb have to often sounds like: “I hafta...” or “She hasta...”
NB: ('ve) gotta, hafta or hasta are only used in speaking!!!!!!!!!!!!
