Modal verbs are used to talk about possibility, ability, request, permission, obligations or necessity. They are auxiliary verbs that are used together with the main verb of a sentence in its bare infinitive form. Common modal verbs include can, could, may, would, shall, should, must, mustn't, have to, and needn't. Each modal verb has specific meanings and uses depending on whether it refers to abilities, requests, obligations, or other contexts. Examples are provided to illustrate the correct uses of different modal verbs.

1. Modal Verbs

2. conteúdo deste modelo
When do we use modal verbs?
When we want to talk about possibility, ability, request,
permission, obligations or necessity. Modal verbs are
auxiliary verbs, they’re used together with the main verb
of the sentence (Bare infinitive)
I would like a Vanilla ice cream.
I would to like a Vanilla ice cream.
I would liking a Vanilla ice cream.

3. Do you know any
modal verb?

4. CAN
nome
● To talk about general abilities in the
present and the future:
George can ride a bike and he’s only three.
● For request:
Can I borrow your fotball?
● For permission:
Yes, you can borrow my helmet.
We use…
COULD
● To talk about general abilities in the
past:
Martina could play tennis when she was
six
● For polite request:
Can I borrow your fotball?

5. MAY
nome
● For polite request: (with I and We)
May I come in?
● For polite permission
Yes, you may use my bike.
We use…
WOULD
● For polite request:
Would you fix my bike, please?

6. SHALL
nome
● For offers:
Shall I teach you to play tennis?
● For strong intentions:
I shall win this time!
We use…
SHOULD
● To give advice:
You shouldn’t ride without a helmet.
● To ask for advice:
Should runners eat before the race?

7. Let’s practice!
01

8. 1.- I _________ cook really delicious food
2.-________ I help you?
3.- He __________ climb trees when he was a kid.
4.- _________ I go to the bathroom?
5.- __________ you check this report for me?
6.- __________ you join us for dinner?
7.- You _________ stop smoking.
8.- She _________ speak several languages.
9.- You look sick, you ___________ see a doctor.
10.- When I was younger, I _________ run for miles.
Complete the following sentences using modal verbs
CAN
SHALL
COULD
MAY
WOULD
WOULD
SHOULD
CAN
SHOULD
COULD

9. A: Grandma, is the pizza ready? It smells delicious.
B: Let’s eat pizza. Are you hungry?
A: Yes, I am! Grandma, _________you pass me the ketchup, please?
B: Of course, here you are.
A: Thank you!
B: ___________ you like some more?
A: No thanks, I __________ like an ice cream now.
B: Let’s go to the park and have some ice cream, _______we?
A: That sounds awesome! ________ I take my bike?
B: Sure, you ________ take your bike!
Complete the conversation with the following modal verbs:
CAN - SHALL - WOULD - COULD - WOULD - SHALL
CAN
SHALL
SHALL
WOULD
WOULD
COULD

10. MUST
nome
● To say that something is necessary
Visitors must pay to swim in the hotel pool
● To talk about obligations
You must wear a helmet on a motorbike
We use…
MUSTN’T
● To talk about something that is not
allowed
Players mustn’t be late for the match

11. HAVE TO
nome
● To say that something is necessary
You have to win to get first prize
● To talk about obligation
Pete has to play every day to become a
better player.
We use…
NEEDN’T
● To say that something is not
necessary:
You needn’t buy a tennis racket, you can
have mine.

12. MUSTN’T and DON’T HAVE TO
There is an important difference between mustn’t and don’t have to. We
use MUSTN’T to say that something is not allowed, whereas we use DON’T
HAVE TO to show that there is no obligation or necessity.
You mustn’t push another player
You don’t have to play a team sport, you can choose something else.
We use…

13. Complete the movie dialogues!
1.- Platform 9¾? But, Hagrid, there ______________ a mistake. This says Platform 9¾.
There's no such thing...is there? (Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone)
2.- So I’m not crazy. Wait a second, wait a second. I __________ . __________? But you
________. Right? Don’t be so modest, you’re a rat for Pete’s sake. Whatever you did,
they liked it. (Ratatouille)
3.- Okay. But you _______________ it a secret. Swish your finger around. You ________
it. (Frankenweenie)
4.-Back home, everyone is scientist. Even my plumber wins Nobel Prize.
Your country does not make enough scientists. Always needs more. You ____________
a scientist, Victor. (Frankenweenie)
5.- Science is not good or bad, Victor. But it ___________ used both ways. That is why
you ___________________ careful. (Frankenweenie)
must be
can’t cook Can I?
can
have to keep can feel
should be
can be
must always be

14. Here you have the videos of the movie dialogues!
Watch the first video until 1:38
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiiuP3-raeg
Watch the second video until 1:12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3TDGcJoVoQ
&ab_channel=JesidMorinelly