Modal verbs

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

English

Today:

1. Modal verbs

Modal verbs

Modale hulpwerkwoorden (Modal verbs) hebben zelf geen betekenis. Ze komen ALTIJD samen voor met een hoofdwerkwoord (Lexical verb) en veranderen de betekenis van dit hoofdwerkwoord. 

I can swim

I mustn't cheat

I should get more sleep 

I might come with you 

Met modale hulpwerkwoorden kun je aangeven: 

Verplichting of verbod (Obligation and prohibition) 

Vaardigheid, dingen waartoe je in staat bent (ability) 

Advies (advice) 

Waarschijnlijkheid (probability) 

Toestemming (permission) 

Veel modale hulpwerkwoorden hebben meerdere toepassingen! 

Can / could: 

I can swim                                      - ability 

I could swim                                  - past ability 

I can do whatever I want            - permission              

Can I borrow your pen?              - permission 

You can't smoke here                 - prohibition 

You could be right                       -  possibility

Should: 

You should get more sleep                   -   advice 

It should be over any second now      -  probability 

May / might: 

May I please borrow a pen?                   - permission  

He may join us to the party                    - possibility 

He might come to the party later       - possibility 

Must / Mustn't 

We must listen to the authorities              - obligation 

You mustn't smoke here                              - prohibition

Er komen nog modal verbs bij, maar dit is voorlopig genoeg. 

Het makkelijkst is om de vertalingen te leren: 

Can:  Kunnen, mogen

Could: Konden, mochten 
Should: zou eigenlijk moeten 

Shouldn't: zou eigenlijk niet moeten 

May: Misschien gebeuren, mogen 

Might: Heel misschien gebeuren

Must: Moeten  

Mustn't: niet mogen 

In vorm zijn modal verbs niet moeilijk: ze hebben allemaal maar één vorm, en ze worden gevolgd door het hele werkwoord. 

I can swim

You can swim

He can swim

We should listen

You might join them

They may join us 

You look tired, you .......... get more sleep

1. must
2. can
3. should
4. might

You .............. smoke here, the sign says it's not allowed

1. shouldn't
2. can't
3. might
4. may

He ...................... come to the party with us but I seriously doubt it.

1. may
2. might
3. should
4. can

Excuse me, ................ I please borrow a pen?

1. Can
2. May
3. Could
4. Should

Which is more polite (beleefd)?

1. May I have a snack?
2. Could I have a snack?
3. Can I have a snack?

You ............ drink so much, it's bad for you.

1. ought to
2. mustn't
3. shouldn't
4. might not

We've finished all the work. ............. we please leave now?

1. Must
2. Should
3. Could
4. May

This film ................... be really good, it's got great reviews.

1. can't
2. couldn't
3. should
4. can

I don't have enough money to buy lunch. .............. you lend me some?

1. Can
2. Could
3. May
4. Might

I ................... swim when I was three, so my parents had to watch me near water.

1. could
2. couldn't
3. may not
4. mustn't

In the Netherlands, everyone .............. ride a bike. We learn it at an early age.

1. could
2. can
3. should
4. must

You ................ do your homework or you will fall behind.

1. must
2. might
3. may
4. mustn't

Clear on the modal verbs?

1. Yes, absolutely
2. No, still utterly confused
3. Yes, but I need to make sure I know all the meanings
4. Yes, but I need more practice.

Next week, I would like to......

1. Work in Engels verkort
2. Do a class activity
3. Work on the Oxford for Fashion exercises
4. Get more instruction on difficult grammar

If you answered D to the following question, what would you like to be explained?

1. Modal verbs
2. Past perfect
3. Future tenses
4. Present tenses