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Modal Verbs: can, could, would, should

Presentation / Objective


In this topic, you will distinguish how modal verbs work by exploring the meaning and usage of these verbs in several activities. It’s essential that you use these verbs in contexts to understand their communicative function.

Finally, you will assess yourself to check that you have understood how to express abilities, possibilities, suggestions and permissions.

The following chart shows how the activities will be presented throughout the topic:

 

ACTIVITY

CONTENT

Presentation

You will know what the topic is about. In this one you will work with Modal Verbs: can, could, should & would.

Content

You will study the structure and review the elements of grammar needed to express abilities, opinions, possibilities and suggestions.

Working out

You will practice the structures you have explored to prepare you for the real thing: working with modal verbs in the language skills.

The real thing

These activities will test how clear the topic is for you, so before start in this section, be sure you have comprehended and practice enough. This activities count for your grade.

Check yourself
Thumbs

Johnson, G. (2016). Thumbs. Retrieved on: https://pixabay.com/es/pulgares-arriba-mano-aprobar-como-1197306/

This test will help you evaluate how good you dominate the topic. An exam is included to check and complete the formal evaluation.

Imagine you have just enrolled in swimming lessons. Then the people ask you these questions:


Which one of those questions refers to:

  • An opinion or suggestion?
  • An ability?
  • A possibility / ask for permission?
  • A formal request?

 

Objetive

By the end of this topic you will:
Be able to make sentences in the present perfect continuous correctly by writing, reading, hearing or having a conversation with someone in different situations and contexts in daily life to recognise the right moment to use this structure.

Content

Can or Should?

Read the story to get familiar with the topic: The old lady and the boy…

One day this old lady was carrying a big bag full of groceries. By her looks you can tell she was exhausted...


teacher teacher

1. Suggestion: SHOULD he help the lady or not.

2. An ability: He CAN help her because he is capable of doing it.

3. A possibility: He could help her, but missed the opportunity the girl appeared.

4. Finally, the lady asked for help (WOULD) directly to the girl, leaving the boy looking stupid

That is why it is crucial to know what these verbs mean and express in English. Let’s check them out!



NA. (2012). Owl. [Image]. Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/es/lechuza-ave-libro-wise-naturaleza-47526/.

What are they?
Modal + Verb

Modal: a way to express an action with a different perspective: a modality.
Verb: an action that changes its spelling when conjugated.
Look at this example: Play the piano -> a regular action.

Modal verbs do not change their spelling when conjugated.

Example:

  • I can run.
  • He can write poems. -> NOT he CANS write poems.
  • You should wear a jacket.
  • She should do her homework. ->NOT she SHOULDS do the homework.
  • They couldn’t swim because it rained a lot. -> NOT They DON’T COULD swim…
  • Would she cook the dinner tonight? -> NOT DOES SHE WOULD cook the dinner tonight?


  1. Modal verbs unlike other verbs, they don’t change their form or spelling and have no infinitive or participle (past/present). They can be easily used in sentences. The structure for CAN, COULD, SHOULD and WOULD is:
    2. + Modal verb + action verb in simple form + complement
    You can understand modals.
    1 2 3 4
  2. Remember that for the formal form abbreviations are not used and have to use the negative particle NOT. In the negative form, you have to change the position of the subject (1) and the modal verb (2). The action verb is always in simple form, is in the third position.
  3. Another essential thing to consider, negative and interrogative forms, modal verbs do not need auxiliaries (do or does) in negative and interrogative forms.

Notice that modal verbs have clear meanings and are used depending on the kind of function you want to express:

  1. ABILITY
  2. POSSIBILITY
  3. SUGGESTION
  4. REQUEST

Then you select: CAN, COULD, SHOULD or WOULD.




Batiste, J. (n.d.). Owl. [Image]. Retrieved from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/14/Pianist_Jonathan_Batiste_by_BenoitAubry.jpg

Can = Expresses the ability to do an action. It is also used to ask for permission.



Look at the following examples:

  1. Can you open the door?
    Request: I am asking politely for help.
  2. They can run in the marathon.
    Ability: They have the reparation and skills to run the marathon.
  3. Can she bake a cake?
    Asking for ability: I want to know if she has the skills to prepare cake.
  4. We can read books in English.
    Ability: They have the ability to perform that skill.
  5. Can I participate in the show?
    Asking for permission: I want to know if it is pertinent to be part of the show.

Affirmative, negative and question:

  • I can play the piano: I have the ability to do it.
  • Can I play the piano?: I am asking for permission to do it.
  • She can’t speak Chinese.   (colloquial)
  • She cannot speak Chinese. (formal)
  • Can she speak Chinese?   (question)



NA. (n.d).Sun and rain. [Image]. Retrieved from:http://www.clipartkid.com/sun-and-rain-weather-symbols-clip-art-at-clker-com-vector-clip-art-ZJ4VK4-clipart/.



Could= expresses the possibility to do the action.

Look at the following examples:

  1. She could be my friend.
    There is a chance we could be friends.
  2. They could bring more food.
    They have the opportunity to bring more.
  3. It could rain today.
    There is probability to rain.

Affirmative, negative and question:

  • I could play the piano tomorrow:  I cannot play the piano now, but there is a chance that I can do it tomorrow.
  • They couldn’t be on time for the show. (colloquial)
  • They could not be on time for the show. (formal)
  • Could they be on time for the show?    (question)



Meier, D. (n.d.). Desk. [Image]. Retrieved from: http://www.freejpg.com.ar/free/info/100006526/escritorio

Should= expresses the suggestion to do the action and also an opinion.



Look at the following examples:

  • They should be ready for the winter season.
    Opinion:  In my opinion they have to be doing something to be ready for the winter.
  • You shouldn’t wear that dress today. It is a funeral!
    Suggestion: It is not acceptable to wear red. In my opinion a black dress is better.
  • I should study more for the exam.
    Opinion: This is something I have to do to improve my school grades.
  • We should start cooking dinner. Dad is going to be home soon.
    Suggestion: We have to do that before dad arrives and scold us.

Affirmative, negative and question:

  • I should play the piano for my granny.
  • He should play the piano more often. He does it very well!
  • We shouldn’t be here. It’s private property. (colloquial)
  • We should not be here. It is private property. (formal)
  • Should we be here? (question)



Lachmann-Anke, M. (2010). Question. [Image]. Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/es/signo-de-interrogaci%C3%B3n-pregunta-1020165/



Would= expresses a formal request to do the action.
Note: to express formal request we only use WOULD in the interrogative form.

  1. Would you help me carrying this?
  2. Would it be possible to close the windows?
  3. Would she turn down the volume please?

Affirmative, negative and question:

  • Would you play the piano for me, please?
  • Wouldn’t you be less loud, please?  (colloquial)
  • Would you not be less loud, please? (formal)




Click on each exercise to practice a little bit more:

Exercise 1. Pronunciation

Exercise 2. Let’s practice!

Exercise 3. Different possibilities.

Exercise 4. Functions

Reading

Activity 1

It is not only about pulling rabbits out of a hat!

Bunny

Sometimes we believe that some jobs are better paid than others. Sometimes there is something incredible or secret that we would never know if we do not ask or look into this topic.

  • Do you like magic?
  • Do you know a magician?
  • Have you wondered about this job?

Read the following text called What magic can do for a living and answer the activities below. It is important to remember:

  • Read the title because it will give you relevant information about the topic of the text.
  • Think about the main idea of the text by underlying repeated words and asking yourself: What is this text really about?
  • Skim the text. This means reading very quickly trying to get a general idea, and familiar words.
  • Look at the images because they can help you guess the general idea of the text.
  • Scan the text for unknown words that you can look for in a dictionary. Also, you can extract concrete information, like dates, names, quantities, etc.

Activity 2

Vocabulary

There were some words highlighted in yellow. According to context try to guess the meaning by matching the words (column A), with definition (column B).

Activity 3

Functions

There are some expressions in green using modal verbs. Organise them according to the function: Opinion, suggestion, request ability or possibility.

Activity 4

Describing the skills for a job

Imagine you are a headhunter, and you need to describe the skills and abilities required for a job. In the following box, explain the job position, the abilities a candidate should have, can do and would be desirable to possess.

Be sure you include:

• Job’s name
• Degree needed
• Skills for the job
• Abilities regarding: communication, group work, customer care, intercommunication
• Dress code
• Salary offered
• Time availability
• Date to start working

Study the aspects that are mentioned in the following checklist for a self-assessment. Here is an example.





Listening

Activity 5

What an interesting job!

• Do you know Michoacan?
• Do you know where Morelia is?
• Do you know about the Purepecha community?
• Are you familiar with traditional candy from Morelia?
• • Do you know what “ate” is?

Michoacán



Mexico is a cultural country with a big collection of languages, cultures, traditions and stories. In the following Michoacan story, you will know about Purepecha people food tradition: fruit candy! Can you believe that “ate” is a traditional sweet from Michoacan?







Activity 6

NANA ALICIA – Part 1

You will listen to the story of a virtuous and skilful woman from Michoacan.
Listen carefully to the first part of this exciting story. Then answer the comprehension questions.


To check your understanding, move the cursor and select if the statements are true or false. Then, click on the corresponding gap. In the end, you will know your score.

Activity 7

Vocabulary

Do you remember Sonia and her Grandmother? What a wonderful story, right? Nana Alicia was telling her granddaughter about the story behind the famous fruit candy from Michoacan named “ate”. Let’s see how much you remembered from the story.

Based on the conversation drag and drop the words related to each character.

Activity 8

NANA ALICIA-Part 2

Listen again to the whole story and try to identify the opinions, suggestions, possibilities and requests contained in the conversations. Some are extracted for you.


Choose the best option that corresponds to each sentence.

Writing

Activity 9

Situations

Imagine you are asked to make a composition to enter a contest to win an adventure trip in Mexico.

• You have to describe what your family members can do.
• You have to define the skills and abilities they have, what they cannot do and what they should do to learn new skills.
• Include what you could do if you win the contest.

Camping day

NA. (2016). Mochilero. [Image]. Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/es/excursionista-mochilero-viaje-1149877/

Write a short composition including the elements mentioned above. The text has to have between 80 – 100 words.

Include an introductory paragraph explaining why you want to win the adventure travel.

Examples:
Adventure Travel in Mexico.

My father and I like the outdoors. We love camping and doing extreme sports. I want to win this contest because we have the experience and have participated in different contests all over the world. My family is very skilful. For instance, my father lived in the USA and can climb mountains. He has taken hard training but cannot work under extreme temperatures. I feel he should have received specialised training to get used to it. I can survive in limited conditions and would take advantage of the surrounding environment. If we won the prize, I consider we should share our experience with others and train or give participants contest tips.

Check the rubric to help you verify you have included the needed elements for this activity.


Speaking

Activity 10

Can/ could/ should/ would you do this?

In this activity, you have to record yourself for about 2 to 3 minutes expressing actions in which you:

- Have the ability to (can)
 Horse ridder

Horse ridder

Pom, L. (2014). Carreras. [Illustration]. Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/es/el-deporte-acci%C3%B3n-carreras-caballos-1534048/.

- Have the opportunity to (could)
Time

Time

Vere, K. (2014). Tiempo. [Illustration]. Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/es/tiempo-reloj-ver-reloj-de-bolsillo-425818/.

- Have to do, but you have not done yet (should)

Thinking man

NA. (2011). Thinking. [Illustration]. Retrieved from: https://pixabay.com/es/users/PublicDomainPictures-14/.

For a self-evaluation make sure that you are familiar with the aspects in the checklist. Here you will find an example to compare your speech.


Self-assessment

Check can and could

Now that you have explored these two modal verbs, it is time to check if you not only understood them but can also differentiate their function.

In the following activity select the most appropriate option. In the end, you will know your score.

Self-assessment

Check Should and Would

Now that you have explored these two modal verbs, it is time to check if you understood their function.

In the following activity select the most appropriate option.

Self-assessment

Practice some more

In this activity, you are going to select the option you think fits better.

Remember to read first the sentence and think about the meaning. Remember that the modal verbs: can, could, should and would can be used with almost any verb, but they have different meanings. So, before using them think if it is a suggestion or an opinion (should), a possibility (could) and ability or asking for permission (can) or a formal request (would).

Reference

Basic references

• Chamot, Anna Uhl, et. al. (2008).The learning strategies. NY: Longman.
• Eastwood, J. (1999). Oxford Practice Grammar. Hong Kong: OUP.
• Harmer, Jeremy (2004). Just Grammar. Malaysia: Marshal Cavendish.

Complementary references

• Delors, Jaques (1994). "Los cuatro pilares de la educación", en: La educación encierra un tesoro. UNESCO, pp. 91-103.
• Consejo de Europa. (2010). Marco Europeo Común de Referencia para Lenguas. Aprendizaje, enseñanza y evaluación 10 ed. NY, EU: Cambridge University Press.