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Flip to reveal answersWhat follows a modal verb?
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All 14 Flashcards — Modal verbs
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Question
What follows a modal verb?
Answer
A bare infinitive — the base verb with no 'to': 'should rest', 'can swim'.
Question
Do modal verbs take -s in the third person?
Answer
No — 'he can', 'she must', 'it might'; never 'cans' or 'musts'.
Question
How do you form a question with a modal?
Answer
Invert: Modal + subject + verb — 'Can you help?', 'Should I go?'. No 'do'.
Question
How do you make a modal negative?
Answer
Add 'not' to the modal: 'must not / mustn't', 'cannot / can't', 'should not'.
Question
Which modals express ability?
Answer
can (present) and could (past): 'I can swim', 'I could read at four'.
Question
Which modals express permission?
Answer
can and may: 'You can leave', 'May I come in?' (may is more formal).
Question
Which modals express possibility?
Answer
may, might and could: 'It might rain', 'That could be true'.
Question
Which modals express obligation?
Answer
must and have to: 'You must stop', 'I have to work on Saturday'.
Question
Which modals express advice?
Answer
should and ought to: 'You should rest', 'We ought to leave early'.
Question
What is the difference between 'mustn't' and 'don't have to'?
Answer
mustn't = it is forbidden; don't have to = it is not necessary (you can choose).
Question
Correct the error: 'She cans drive.'
Answer
'She can drive.' — a modal never takes -s.
Question
Correct the error: 'You should to study.'
Answer
'You should study.' — a modal is followed by a bare infinitive, no 'to'.
Question
Which modal is best for giving advice?
Answer
should (or ought to) — softer than 'must', which is a command.
Question
Why are modals useful in opinion writing?
Answer
They turn a flat statement into an argument: 'we should…', 'we must…', 'we could…'.
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Full study notes for Modal verbs
Topic 3.3 hub
Mood, voice & verb patterns
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English B exam skills
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