TSL042 - Modal Verbs Part 2

1. MODALS
PART 2
TSL042
Fatimah Azzahra

2. REQUEST:
CAN, COULD, WILL,
WOULD, WOULD YOU MIND

3. 1) We use modals can, could, will and would to make a
request.
Eg: Can you submit your work by tomorrow?
Will you come to my room?
• Could and would are more polite than can and will.
These are used to soften request.
Eg: Could you give me a call?
Would you switch off the fan?
• Please is also used to make the request more polite.
Notice the word order.
Eg: Would you close the door please?
Would you please close the door?

4. 2) In affirmative answer to requests, we usually use
expressions such as sure, certainly, of course and no
problem.
Eg: A: Would you like a cup of coffee?
B: Sure. (I’d be glad to). (Of course).
• In negative answers, we usually apologize and give an
explanation.
Eg: A: Could you come to my office today?
B: I’m sorry, I can’t. I have something to do
later on.

5. REMEMBER!
• Do not use would/could in response to polite requests/
Sure, I would
I’m sorry, I couldn’t.

6. 3) We also use Would you mind + gerund to make polite
requests. It is even more polite than could/would.
Eg: A: Would you mind waiting? I still have some
work to do.
B: Not at all. (Of course not).
= OK, I’ll do it.
*affirmative*
B: I’m sorry, I can’t. I have another
appointment in half an hour.
*negative answers* = apologize, explain

7. ADVICE:
SHOULD, OUGHT TO,
HAD BETTER

8. 1) Should and ought to are modals used to say something
that is advisable.
• They have the same meaning =
“This is a good idea. This is good advice.”
Forms: should + simple form of a verb (no to)
ought + to + simple form of a verb
Eg: My clothes are dirty, I should wash them.
(ought to)
Incorrect: I should to wash them.
I ought washing them.

9. 2) NEGATIVE:
Should + not = shouldn’t
(ought to is usually not used in the negative)
Eg: You need your sleep. You should not stay up late.
3) QUESTION:
should + subject + main verb
(ought to is usually not used in questions)
Eg: A: I’m going to be late. What should I do?
B: Run.

10. 4) The use of maybe with should & ought to “softens”
advice.
A: I’m tired today.
B: You should/ought to go
home and take a nap.
A: I’m tired today.
B: Maybe you should/ought
to go home and take a nap.
Speaker B is giving definite
advice. He is stating clearly
that he believes going home
for nap is a good idea and is
the solution to speaker A’s
problem.
Speaker B is making a
suggestion: going home for a
nap is one possible way to
solve speaker A’s problem.

11. 5) Had better has the same basic meaning as should/ought
to.
• Contraction: ‘d better (usually in speaking)
• Usually implies a warning (strong advice) about possible
bad consequences.
Eg: You’re driving too fast! You’d better slow down.
** if you don’t slow down, there could be a bad result;
You could get a speeding ticket or have an accident.
NEGATIVE: had better not
Eg: You’d better not eat that meat. It looks spoiled.
REMEMBER! Had better always refers to the
present/future, never to past (even though it uses word
had)

12. 6) In informal context, we often use oughta instead of
ought to and better instead of had better.
Eg: You oughta read the netiquette rules first. You
better not just jump in.
REMEMBER!
Do not use these forms in formal writing.

13. EXPRESSING NECESSITY OR
OBLIGATION:
MUST, HAVE TO,
HAVE GOT TO

15. EXPRESSING LACK OF
NECESSITY:
DO NOT HAVE TO

16. 1) Don’t / doesn’t have to expresses the idea that
something is NOT NECESSARY.
Eg:
• I finished all of my homework this afternoon. I don’t have
to study tonight.
• Tomorrow is a holiday. Mary doesn’t have to go to class.
2) Must not expresses prohibition (DO NOT DO THIS!).
Eg:
• Children, you must not play with matches!
• We must not use that door. The sign says “Private: DO
NOT ENTER”.

17. 3) Must + not = Mustn’t (the first “t” is not pronounce)
Eg: You mustn’t play with matches.

18. To be continued