WAYS OF THINKING ABOUT MODALS
Advanced Features
1.CONTEXT

Think about the context first – that will help you decide what range of modals are available.
Horoscopes are good sources of modals. Highlight the modals below and think about their use.

“All along, there's been a role for you to play - a crucial task for you to carry out, a key connection that only you can make and uphold. But for some reason, you've been out of touch with a person who is able to help you find your niche. Today's New Moon somehow brings back the sense of involvement that you once had and allows you to see what ought to have been obvious. You've got friends who know how valuable you are - and who need something that only you can supply.”

© Jonathan Cainer 2006

In the above extract both can and to be able to mean “ability”. Look at the examples below – when do you use can, could & to be able? When is it possible to use both?

He can’t come to the lesson tomorrow.
He hasn’t been able to come to lessons for the last 3 weeks.
Will you be able to come to the lesson tomorrow?
He could swim when he was a child.
He was able to finish the marathon last Saturday.
He couldn’t/wasn’t able to finish the marathon last Saturday.

CAN/ TO BE ABLE: ability

COULD: possibility

2.USE

An auxiliary verb might have many uses not just as a modal. Modals combine with infinitives & describe the mood of the verb. Look a the examples of “should” below – in only two sentences should is used as a modal in the strict sense (once to show probability and once to express an obligation/recommendation). What are the other uses?

(a) She should be home by now. (probability)
(b) You should talk to your father. (recommendation)
(c) If you should see David, tell him I need to see him. (condition)
(d) Should it rain, the game will be cancelled. (condition)
(e) The lawyers recommend that we should take no further action. (subordinate)
(f) I’m amazed that anyone should think like that. (subordinate)
(g) I should say so! (intention)
(h) How should I know? (surprise)
(i) Why should I tell you? 
(j) Then guess what? Who should I see but John himself! (surprise)
(k) I should think so.

Look at the difference when must is used to show obligation and when it is used to show deduction:

Obligation:
Present/Future: I must study hard for the exam.
Past: I had to study hard for the exam yesterday.
The opposite of must is mustn’t (prohibition) or don’t have to (lack of obligation)
Deduction:
Present/Future: He must be very rich, he drives an expensive car.
Past: He must have been very handsome when he was young.
The opposite of must is can’t.

3.CHOICE

Even within the same use, different modals convey different ideas and attitudes. It often depends on who is talking. When talking about obligation, for example, it is wrong to always use “must” as must also contains information about who holds authority in a particular situation.

Consider the examples below. Think about their difference in meaning – the questions will help you.

(a) We must have a party to celebrate.
(b) We should have a party to celebrate.

(Both are suggestions, but which speaker is more certain that the party will actually take place?) (a)

(a)You must wipe your feet before entering the house!
(b) You have to wipe your feet before entering the house, don’t you?

(Who has authority here? Who is making the rule - The person saying it or someone else?) (a)

(a) You have studied grammar for 6 years so you must know the rules by now. (assumption)
(b) You should know the rules by now, but if you don’t, get studying! (advice)
(c) You have to know the rules to pass the exam. (necessity)

(Which sentence expresses an assumption, a necessity which one gives advice?)

Special Uses of Must:

Where would you read/hear these sentences? What does that tell you about some of the uses of must?

· CLOSING DOWN! EVERYTHING MUST GO! (in a shop)
· PASSENGERS MUST NOT CROSS THE RAILWAY LINES. USE THE UNDERPASS (in a railway station)
· CANDIDATES MUST BE AT THEIR ROOM AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE EXAM BEGINS (in a school)
· You must come and have dinner with us this week. (at the phone)


Some Other Situations:

(a) I must buy a new dictionary.
(b) I have to take 2 pills, 3 times a day.
(Which modal is used to express a habitual action?) (b)

(c) Something should be done to stop rising crime!
(d) Something must be done to stop rising crime!
(Which speaker feels more strongly about this issue?) (c)

(e) People caught shoplifting have to be prosecuted.
(f) People caught shoplifting must be prosecuted.
(Which speaker is merely commenting on the obligation and which speaker approves of it?) (f)

4.ALL MODALS OF PROBABILITY ARE NOT ALL CREATED EQUAL

Might, May & Could are modals of possibility

Must, Can’t & Couldn’t are modals of deduction i.e. when you infer logically that something is true.

Will & Should are modals of assumption i.e. when you believe something to be true. (Will = I’m sure, Should = I expect)

Fill in the gap below with the correct modal (Sometimes more than one is possible):
a. It _can't_______ have been her husband who answered the phone, he’s been dead for 4 years.
b. He _may______ be home, but I’m not sure.
c. He _must______ be home, I saw him only two minutes ago. (If you are at home? If you are at the office?)
d. He _should______ be home, I’m sure of it.

5.THE SPECIAL CASE OF “CAN” AND POSSIBILITY

Look at the sentences below, which uses of can are correct?

It can be the postman at the door.
You can ski on the hills, there is enough snow. (correct)
He can be very unreasonable at times. (correct)
He can be at home by now.
Can you get to the Trevi Fountain from here? (correct)