Sentence structure: Modal verbs: can, must, should…
Modal verbs like can, must and should add meaning to another verb: ability, obligation, advice, possibility. The pattern never changes: modal + base verb.
Bring the pieces togetherIn this chapter
Formula
Positive: She can swim. · Negative: You shouldn't eat too much candy. · Question: Can you help me? · Short answer: Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
What does each modal mean?
I can ride a bike. Can I go out?
Example: can
Example: could
Color-coded examples
Turkish shows ability with an ending (uç-a-maz); English uses a separate word: can't fly.
Example: Penguins can't fly.
Example: You should wear a helmet.
mustn't ≠ don't have to
mustn't = it is not allowed; don't do it!
Example: You mustn't run near the pool.
Example: You don't have to wear a uniform on Fridays.
Tip
A modal never takes -s, is never followed by to, and the verb stays in its base form: She can swim. (“She cans swim”, “She can to swim” and “She can swims” are wrong.) have to changes like a normal verb: she has to, do you have to?
Position 8 of 11 chapters at A1.