English Grammar and Composition chapter 2: Modals

UNIT 2 Modals

Lesson 1: Introducing Modals

Read the story of Helen Keller below. Notice the underlined words. When you finish reading, discuss the questions that follow.

The story of Helen Keller, the girl who could not see, hear or speak

I'd like you to know the story of Helen Keller, who could neither see nor hear from the time she was a baby. Yet the brilliant girl was able to overcome all those difficulties, to graduate from a college with honours and become a useful citizen. I must say there was nothing wrong with Helen Keller when she was born. Her father and mother were very proud of their pretty baby, who tried to say "pa-pa" and "ma-ma".

For nineteen months Helen grew bigger and stronger. She was able to walk when she was a year old; she could say a few words. But one day the child fell ill. She must have been very ill. For days she had been suffering from high fever and soon the parents learned that their darling would never be able to see and hear. When Helen was 6 years old, her parents took her to famous doctors to find out if they could do something to make her hear and see again, but the doctors could do nothing. The child was hopelessly deaf. Dr. Bell said that Kellers should write to the Perkins Institution for the blind in Boston and ask if they would send someone to help the child.

(adapted)

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1. What meanings do the underlined words convey?

2. Can you understand what mood/emotion is expressed by each of these words?

3. Can you change the forms of these words?

Read the Dialogue below and notice the underlined words. A list of various functions is given in the box. In pairs discuss what function is expressed by each of the underlined words.

possibility ability permission advice strong obligation

Dialogue: A Visit to London

A: What do you think I ought to see in London first? B: Well, historical places, I think. You should go to the Westminster Abbey, and if you can, go to the Houses of Parliament and the National Gallery.

A: And what about the British Museum? I was told one ought to see it. B: I suppose you must go there. There you can find masterpieces of the world's best artists.

A: How can I get to the centre?

B: I think you can go by steamer down the Thames from Westminster to Tower Bridge. That's a very pleasant way to travel, and you can see the London Bridge and quite a number of buildings on the way.

[adapted]

You might have noticed that the underlined words such as can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will, and would, do not change form for different subjects. These are special verbs which behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like 'work, play, visit' They give

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additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative functions. They are known as Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries)

In the story and the dialogue above, the underlined words that you have come across are examples of modals. While discussing questions 1-4 above, what characteristics of modals have you talked about?

Read about the characteristics of modals and compare them with what you have discussed.

Some characteristics of modal verbs:

• They never change their form. You can't add 's', 'ed', 'ing'.
• They are always followed by an infinitive without 'to' (except in phrases like ought to).
• They are used to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability.

Read the dialogues below. How many modals can you find? Do they have the characteristics discussed above?

Dialogues: Asking the Way

A: Excuse me. Can you tell me where Panthapath is, please? B: Take the second turn on the left and then ask again. A: Is it far? B: No, you can walk it in ten minutes. A: Thank you very much. B: It's a pleasure. A: Excuse me, please. Could you tell me how to get to the Novo Theatre? B: Sure, go straight, take the first right turn and then the second left. You can't miss it. A: Thank you. B: That's OK.

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So, what different modals are there in English? By now you should be able to make a list of the modal verbs. Here is one:

can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must

Also you must have noticed some verbs of expressions such as dare, ought to, had better, and need not in the above story or dialogues. They often behave like modal auxiliaries and may be added to the list of modals.

Remember, modal verbs are used to express functions such as:

1. permission
2. ability
3. obligation
4. prohibition
5. lack of necessity
6. advice
7. possibility
8. probability

Exercise:

Underline modals in the dialogues below. Tell your partner what function or emotion is expressed by each modal.

Dialogue 1: At Lunch

A: Would you like one more parata? B: No, thanks. I'm on a diet.

A: Please, do. You've hardly eaten anything. B: It's delicious, but I don't think I ought to.

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Dialogue 2: In a Restaurant

Waiter: Can I take your order, sir? Mr. X: Rice and vegetables for me, please.

Waiter: May I take your order, sir? Mr. N: Yes, I'd like to try the kebab, please.

Dialogue 3

A: I mustn't forget to phone Jafar. B: Why? A: It's his birthday tomorrow.

Dialogue 4

A: You look tired. What's the matter? B: It's been a very busy week. A: You should have a good rest during the weekend.

Dialogue 5

A: Can you play tennis? B: Yes, I can, a little. Can you? A: No, I'm afraid, I can't, but I can play badminton quite well.

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Lesson 2: Uses of Modals

Uses of can and could

Work in pairs. Tell your partner what you can do now using the computers and the Internet. Also talk about what you were not able to do when computers and the Internet were not a part of your life.

Notice how you have used can/can't and could/couldn't in your talk. What differences do you notice between can and could?

Read the review of a new model of mobile phone. Make a list of the things you can do with this phone.

This is a good looking phone with a removable plastic back panel. This phone comes in three colours. If white isn't your colour, you can get the S5 model in black or green, depending on your choice. It has a big 5.1 inch screen and a 13 megapixel camera. This camera produces good quality pictures. One important feature of this stylish phone is the finger print sensor. The users are able to make online payments using this set. The phone is also water resistant.

(adapted)

Figure

Description: A black mobile phone with a large screen showing a grey sky with clouds.

Read the dialogues below and discuss the questions that follow.

Dialogue 1

A: Hello, friend. I need some help with my typing.

B: What type of help do you need?

A: I have to type a text in Bangla but I don't know how to type in Bangla.

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B: No problem, I can help you with that. It's easy to type in Bangla. I can type 50 words per minute now.

A: That's great. How long have you been practising it? In fact I could not type in Bangla even two years ago. But I practised hard and now I can type quickly and easily.

Dialogue 2

A: Hello, friend, Can you help me?

B: Sure. What can I do for you?

A: My phone is out of balance and I need to call my home now. Could I use your mobile phone?

B: Certainly, here is my phone.

Have you noticed the various ideas/modes expressed by can/could? Discuss the following questions:

a. How do the speakers in Dialogue 1 talk about their past and present abilities/inabilities?

b. How do the people in Dialogue 2 talk to give or ask for permission?

Now, read the following section to know more about the uses of can/could.

The modal auxiliary can is used

• to express ability (in the sense of being able to do something or knowing how to do something): He can speak Spanish but he can't write it very well.
• to express permission (in the sense of being allowed or permitted to do something): Can I talk to my friends in the library waiting room?

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• to express possibility: (in the sense that something may happen) Bangladeshi cricketers can do better if they play more international matches.

The modal auxiliary could is used

• to express an ability in the past: I could run five miles when I was young.
• to ask for permission: Could I borrow your laptop for an hour?
• to express present possibility: We could spend the afternoon just sitting around and talking.
• to express possibility or ability within a given condition: If he studied harder, he could pass the exam.