Modals

basic rules

100

What part of speech is a modal?

verb

200

True/False: All modals are only one word

False! Phrasal modals (like be supposed to)

300

True/False: Each modals has only one meaning or use.

False! Modals have multiple definitions or uses ...this is what makes them hard!

400

True/False: Modals are conjugated in the third person with -s

False! Modals are never conjugated

500

What is the official grammar term for modals (hint: they are not the MAIN verb)?

auxiliary or helping verb

Modals of Necessity

100

True/False: must and have to both express the same level of necessity

False! Must is stronger

200

Which is more commonly used to express rules and legal infomation?

must

300

Which is more informal: "have got to" or "have to"?

have got to

400

True/False: To express lack of necessity we use must not.

False! 

500

Which is more common in questions: "have got to" or "have to"?

have to

Requests

100

Of the two modals used to request permission (may/could), which is more formal?

may

200

True/False: "Could you pass me the paper?" and "Would you pass me the paper?" are equally formal

True!

300

Which is the most informal, casual request modal?

Can (Can you be quiet please?)

400

Which is the most infrequently used request modal (hint: this is very formal)?

might (Might I borrow your pen?)

500

If you are asking someone politely to do something with the modal phrase "Would you mind", what form is the main verb in?

gerund (-ing)

Would you mind passing the salt, please?

Modals of Advisability/ Suggestion

100

Modals of advisabilty are modals used to tell someone...

your advice

200

Native speakers pronounce "ought to"...

"otta"

300

Which is the strongest modal of advisability: should, ought to, had better?

had better

400

When making suggestions, which is stronger: could or should?

should

500

using the phrasal modal "had better" when giving advice means...

you are warning someone about something. Something bad might happen if your advice is not listened to

Modals of Ability

100

Which modal is used to express physical ability?

can

200

What is a phrasal modal for ability?

be able to

300

What is a phrasal ability modal that is a synonym of "can" when it is something you have learned how to do (hint: I have studied piano for 8 years- I can play piano)?

Know how to 

400

How many forms of the negative ability modal are there (hint: it is made with "can")?

three (cannot, can't, can not)

500

For negative ability, what is another way to express "not able to"?

unable to