ملخص الدرس / الرابعة متوسط/اللغة الإنجليزية/File 1/Modal Verbs

You: Why has he stopped taking his test?

Your partner : I don't know .May be /perhaps he does not know the answer

Said: Karim has invited me to visit him in England.

Amine: Will you go?

Said: I don't know. I may go next June. I may ask for a school leave.

Amine: The head master may not let you go.

Said: Well, I may go without asking for leave then.

Amine: I advise you not do that .The headmaster may mark you absent.

Which sentences contain an auxiliary 'may' which expresses positive future possibility?

This method may possibly be suitable for some children. (Positive possibility)

It may be the cause of the failure of may others. (Positive possibility)

Group preparation may also reduce stress.( Positive possibility)

Which sentence contains the negative of 'may'?

You may not (May has not a short/contracted form) ex: He may or may not believe it.

Which sentences contain the past tense form of the auxiliary 'may'? Does the auxiliary in these sentences refer to the past or the future?

'They might have in exams '. (Might is the past form of may / It refers to the future. It expresses 'remote possibility')

Which auxiliary does the journalist use to ask about possibility?

'Can pupils fail their exams? "Can" instead of 'may' is used when asking about possibility.

We use modal verbs to express certainty, possibility or impossibility, ability,ask for permission,and make requests and offers.

Modal verbs are:

Rule:

Subject+ Modal verb+ Stem (verb without “to”)

May, might, and could are used to express possibility,they mean May be.

Eg1: We may visit you tomorrow.

Eg2: They might come late.

Eg3: I could not make it yesterday.

Can is used to express general ability in the present time or the future.

Eg1: I can speak English.

Eg2: We can play basketball.

The negative form of can is can not (can’t).

Eg: They cannotleave home.

The past form of can is could.

Eg: I can see you now but I couldn’t see you yesterday.

Can is used to ask for permission.

Eg1: Can I go out, please?

Eg2: Can we visit you this afternoon?

Could is used to ask for permission too, but it is more polite than can.

Eg: Could I ask you a question, please?

May is another polite way to ask for permission.

Eg: May I leave, please?

Requests:

Could and would are polite words to tell or ask someone to do something.

Eg1: Could you help me to solve this exercise, please?

Eg2: Would you repeat your question, please?

Can and will are also used in this case but they are less polite.

Eg: Can you open the window, please?

Eg: Will you check the mail, please?

Offers and invitations:

Can I and shall I are used to make offers

Eg: Can I help you?

Eg: Shall I take you to the doctor?

** It is also correct to use the form: I can, I shall, I will to make an offer:

Eg1: I can take you to the doctor.

Eg2: I shall do the activity for you.

Eg3: I will help you cleaning the house.

 ** Would you like (to) is used to make invitations:

Eg1: Would you like to go out?

Eg2: Would you like some tea?

Suggestions and advice:

We use should and should not to make suggestions and give advice:

Eg1: You should revise your lessons.

Eg2: You should not go out when it is raining without your umbrella.

We also use could to make positive suggestions:

Eg1: We could do the housekeeping together.

Eg2: I could drive you home this evening.

Obligations:

Must and must not are used to express obligation or prohibition.

Eg1: You must stop smoking! It harms your health.

Eg2: You must not drive fast!

** If you are referring to the past tense, use had to:

Eg1: You had to be careful when crossing the road!

Eg2: You had to be quiet at the hospital!