modals

modals

auxiliary verbs that can change the meaning and tone of a sentence

modal phrases

be (am is are) going to and replace will

be (am is are) able to can replace can

ELL issues

some ELL students don’t have words for certain english modals in their language. they rely mostly on verb inflections. it’s also difficult because modals can have multiple meanings

modals of possibility

might/ may/ could/

modals of permission

may/can/

modals of ability

can/ cou/d/

modals of request

could/ may/ will/ would/

modals of suggestion

could/ should/ ought to

modals of conditional

could/ would/

modals of obligation/ strong advice

must/ had better

ELL errors

don’t use to after signle word modals

use the base verb after a modals

modals use not for negation

don’t use an auxiliary when forming questions, must modals can do this