Tag: modal verbs

Obligation and permission
GRAMMAR

Obligation and permission

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Modal verbs are important for expressing obligation and permission in English.

Here is a summary of some common modal verbs and phrases that are used to express obligation and permission:

Modal Verb/PhraseMeaningExampleGrammar Pattern
needn’tno obligationYou needn’t come to the party if you don’t want to.need not + base verb
muststrong obligationI must finish this report by tomorrow.must + base verb
ought tostrong recommendation (very formal)You ought to apologize for your behavior.ought to + base verb
shouldadvice/suggestion/ weak obligationI should study for the exam.should + base verb
canpermissionCan I use your pen, please?can + base verb
be requirednecessaryA valid passport is required to enter the country.be + required to + base verb
be not requirednot necessaryA tie is not required for the interview.be + not required to + base verb
be allowedpermissionYou are allowed to smoke in this area.be + allowed to + base verb
be not allowedprohibitionYou are not allowed to smoke in this area.be + not allowed to + base form
be supposed toexpectation/ weak obligationWe are supposed to arrive at 8:00 AM.be + supposed to + base verb
be not supposed tonot allowedYou are not supposed to use your phone in class.be + not supposed to + base verb
it’s illegal toagainst the lawIt’s illegal to park here.it’s illegal to + base verb
it’s against the lawagainst the lawIt’s against the law to steal.it’s against the law to + base verb
it’s politesocially acceptableIt’s polite to say “please” and “thank you”.it’s polite to + base verb
it’s impolitesocially unacceptableIt’s impolite to interrupt someone.it’s impolite to + base verb
it’s best toadvice/suggestion (positive)It’s best to arrive early for your interview.it’s best to + base verb
it’s best not toadvice/suggestion (negative)It’s best not to eat too much junk food.it’s best not to + base verb

Grammar practice

Speaking practice

Writing practice

Write some advice for someone who wants to visit your country. Think of at least 5 rules and customs and write them down.

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So, neither + auxiliary/modal verbs
GRAMMAR

So, neither + auxiliary/modal verbs

teacherjulieta1 Comment
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In English there are different ways of saying that you have something in common with somebody.

We use me too to tell someone that you are in a similar situation. We use it to respond to positive statements.

We use me neither to tell someone that you are also in a similar situation. We use it to respond to negative statements.

Examples:

We can use auxiliary and modal verbs to say that somebody or something is the same instead of saying “me too” or “me neither”.

Examples:

We can also use auxiliary and modal verbs to say that someone or something is different.

Examples:

RELATED TOPICS:

6 Uses of Auxiliary and Modal Verbs

Tag Questions

Be, Do, Have

Be, Do, Have Common mistakes

Grammar Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

 Speaking Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

Say your sentence to each other and find someone who is the same or different.

6 Uses of Auxiliary and Modal Verbs
GRAMMAR

6 Uses of Auxiliary and Modal Verbs

teacherjulieta1 Comment
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Auxiliary verbs are special words that help the main verb.

Modal verbs are special words that help the main verb show possibility, intent, ability, or necessity.

You have learned that both, auxiliary and modal verbs, are used to ask yes or no questions and to give short answers.

However, auxiliary verbs have many more uses. In the table below you can see 6 different patterns for auxiliary and modal verbs.

RELATED TOPICS:

So, Neither + auxiliary/modal verbs

Show emphasis (Emphatic do)

Tag Questions

Be, Do, Have

Be, Do, Have Common mistakes

Gerunds and Infinitives
GRAMMAR

Gerunds and Infinitives

teacherjulieta3 Comments
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Gerund

(+) verbing

(-) not verbing

We use the gerund (verb + ing)

  1. After prepositions and phrasal verbs
  2. As the subject of the sentence
  3. After some verbs:

admit, avoid, deny, dislike, enjoy, feel like, finish, hate, keep, like, love, mind, miss, practice, prefer, recommend, spend time/money, stop, suggest, give up, go on, etc.

The infinitive (to + base form)

(+) to + verb

(-) not to + verb

We use the infinitive

  1. After adjectives
  2. To express a reason or purpose
  3. after some verbs:

(can’t) afford, agree, decide, expect, forget, help, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, pretend, promise, refuse, remember, seem, try, want, would like, etc.

More verbs take the infinitive than the gerund.

The base form

We use the base form

  1. after most modal verbs and auxiliary verbs
  2. After make and let

Watch the following video for examples

Gerunds and Infinitives: Change of meanings

 Grammar Review

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 Grammar Practice

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb

Flip the tile to check your answer

Quiz

 Speaking Practice

Level of difficulty: ⭐⭐

Ask and answer the following questions