1.2 Check your understanding

Language focus

Modal verbs express possibility, ability, permission or obligation by changing other verbs in a sentence. Common modal verbs are shown here.

will should would may

could

shall can must

ought to might

Modals are followed by the base verb they change. Example: I can dream; you ought to eat; she should smile. Modals can express degrees of possibility – how likely something is to happen:

It could be hot tomorrow. It might be hot tomorrow. It will be hot tomorrow. I may do my homework. I should do my homework. I must do my homework.

Focus 1 Identify the modal verb and explain the difference in the meaning of these sentences.

Grasshopper could listen to Ant’s advice. Grasshopper should listen to Ant’s advice.

Practice 2 Rewrite these sentences to make them negative by changing the modal verb using a contraction.

a Grasshopper must think about the coming winter.