Unit 5: Modal Verbs

Target Vocabulary

Prefixes

Words can start with prefixes to change their meaning. Examples: anti- (against), bi- (two), pre- (before), re- (again).

Word Formation: Nouns

Nouns can be made from people, verbs, or adjectives.

  • People: -er, -ist, -ant, -ian, -ee → teacher, artist, assistant, musician, employee
  • From verbs: -ment, -ion, -ance, -ation → development, creation, performance
  • From adjectives: -ness, -ity, -cy → happiness, activity, privacy

Phrasal Verbs with "Get"

Examples:

  • get along with (be friendly with)
  • get over (recover from)
  • get round to (find time for)

Prepositions

Common prepositions with verbs and nouns:

  • look after, look at, join in
  • impression on, keen on, need for
  • increase in, laugh at, notice of

Modal Verbs

Ability

Can / Could / Be able to describe what someone can do:

  • Present: I can swim.
  • Past: She could run fast.
  • Future: They will be able to come tomorrow.

Obligation / Necessity

Use must, have to, should, ought for duties:

  • You must wear a seatbelt.
  • We have to finish work today.
  • He should eat healthy food.

Absence of Necessity & Prohibition

To show something is not necessary: needn’t, don’t have to. For prohibition: mustn’t, can’t.

  • You don’t have to come early.
  • You mustn’t smoke here.

Possibility, Probability & Assumptions

Modal verbs can express chance or certainty:

  • Possibility: She might be late.
  • Probability: He should know the answer.
  • Logical assumption: It must be cold outside.

Permission, Requests, Offers, Suggestions, Advice

  • Permission: Can, May → Can I open the window?
  • Requests: Could, Would → Could you help me?
  • Offers: Shall, Can → Shall I carry that for you?
  • Suggestions: Why don’t we, How about → How about going out?
  • Advice: Should, Ought → You should drink water.

Expressions Similar to Modals

Be supposed to, Be likely to → similar meanings to modals for duties or probability.

  • You are supposed to finish homework today.
  • It is likely to rain this evening.
Classroom modal verbs practice
A cheerful classroom scene with students practicing English modal verbs on the board. A teacher explains grammar with books and charts around, bright daylight, simple and clear A1-A2 level visuals.