All about Modal verbs, and how to use them in practical spoken English. A simple approach to learning Modal verbs in context. Functional English Grammar in real life social situations.
Without focusing on the uses of Modal verbs too much, let's ask ourselves where we would practically use them in social situations instead.
If you want to give unsolicited ADVICE to your sister-in-law, go for YOU SHOULD REALLY...
- You SHOULD really feed your children less junk food.
If you are looking for a Modal verb to be POLITE, go for CAN/MAY/MIGHT. These would
come in handy if you ever go for a cup of tea at Buckingham Palace.
- MAY I have another scone, please...?
If you meet an interesting potential partner and you want to show off you SKILLS, use CAN and if you have done anything interesting lately, use COULD to talk about the past.
- I CAN drink 3 tequilas but when I was 18, I COULD...
When you want to say that something is not NECCESARY, you can use MUST. The problem with MUST is that you can only use it for the present and the future. The past tense of must is HAD TO.
- You MUSTN'T forget to call your mom on Mother's day.
Then, once you have mastered the Modal verbs, check out these ones. They are used for the PAST and they are called Modal Perfect. We create them with Modal Verbs + HAVE + PP
If you want to talk about REGRETS, they are really useful.
If you feel guilty for something that you did/didn't do and you want to apologise to your partner, use I SHOULDN'T HAVE.../ YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO...
- I SHOULDN'T HAVE shouted at you but you didn't HAVE TO drive like a hooligan.
When you are SURE that someone is lying, because their words and their actions don't match you can say: THAT CAN'T/ COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED...(because I know for a fact that...)
- They COULDN'T HAVE known that because the only person who knew was me!
Of course, if you want to give some more ADVICE, but about things that could/should have happened in the past. You SHOULDN'T HAVE changed...or if you want to make someone feel bad for something that they didn't do when they had the opportunity to do it, simply say: It is too late now, YOU SHOULD HAVE...!
Then watch them try to explain themselves, I WOULD HAVE...BUT...
- You SHOULD HAVE watered the bonsai I gave you for Christmas.
- I am so sorry, I WOULD HAVE but I got side-tracked.
NEEDN'T HAVE is used to state that something was UNNECCESARY and especially used when receiving gifts.
- Oh, thanks but you NEEDN'T HAVE bought me this expensive handbag!
These are the most common Modal and Modal Perfect verbs. If you want to use them successfully, remember that Modal Perfect verbs are used with the Past Participle. Regular Modal Verbs are always used with the root form of the verb. A very common mistake learners make is to add TO to modal verbs but you HAVE TO remember that only HAVE TO gets a TO, the other modal verbs are in the bare infinitive.
You don't HAVE TO learn Modal Verbs by heart!
Just notice how people use them in films and series, in songs and on social media. English grammar is useless if it is only known in a literal way. As with learning any language, one must get a feel for the deeper meaning of these verbs. Practice makes perfect!
The best way to remember them and use them is to imagine the types of situations they might be used in. Check out my fun reading & speaking resources for intermediate level students.
Incredible work well done 👏