Shadowing Practice: MODAL VERBS: All you need to know about CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, MUST, SHOULD, SHALL, WILL and WOULD - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
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There are nine words in the English language that cause my students so much grief, suffering, anxiety.
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There are nine words in the English language that cause my students so much grief, suffering, anxiety.
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They are modal verbs.
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They are can, could, may,
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might, must, shall, should, will, and would.
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The stress stops here.
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In this lesson, you are going to learn all about their different functions.
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You are going to see loads and loads of examples to help solidify your understanding.
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We're going to solve all the problems you have with these modal verbs once and for all.
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That's my promise to you.
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We're going to look at the theory.
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We're going to look at examples and we're going to test your understanding with two quizzes that I've inserted into the video.
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And if that wasn't enough,
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I've also created a PDF modal verbs study guide.
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You can download it for free.
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It contains all of the information we're going to cover together,
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plus lots of alternatives to these modal verbs like have to
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and be able to
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but wait there's more this pdf study guide also contains a
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secret link to some interactive exercises for you to check your understanding yes it's a lot yes it's generous
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and yes you are very very welcome
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if you would like to download this pdf study guide all
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you've got to do is click on the link in the description box
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or scan that qr code there enter your name email address and choose your English level,
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sign up to my mailing list
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and then the PDF will arrive directly in your inbox and then after that you will have joined my PDF club.
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You'll automatically receive all of my free weekly PDFs alongside all of my news,
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course updates and offers.
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It's a free service, you can unsubscribe at any time with just one click.
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I need to calm down,
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as you can tell I am very excited about this topic.
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Let's get started by talking about form,
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and I have some really good news.
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The modals that we're talking about in this video have one form.
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This is so rare in English.
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Just one form, nothing more.
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The base form that you see in the dictionary.
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We don't add ing, so it's always could, never coulding.
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We don't add ed, so it's always must, never musted.
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And we don't add s in the third person singular,
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so it is always should, never shoulds.
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These pure modals are followed by another verb,
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not a modal, in the base form.
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So they're not followed by a to infinitive.
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For example, I might bake a cake later.
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Modals will sometimes appear alone when we don't want or need to repeat a previous verb.
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For example, I'm going to jump the queue.
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No, you can't.
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No, you can't jump the queue.
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Is there anything more British than that example?
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We love cues.
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We form questions by inverting the subject modal verb word order.
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We don't use do or did.
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For example, can I help you?
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Or should I dye my hair green?
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I bet you're thinking, no,
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you shouldn't, which brings me to negative forms.
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We form negatives by adding not,
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could not, should not, etc. Cannot is different as it is one word in the negative.
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We often use contractions, can't,
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won't, but note that we don't usually contract may not.
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Maynt, as great as it sounds,
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does exist, but it isn't common at all.
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Okay, are you ready to dive into our nine modal verbs we're going to talk about the most typical
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and most useful ways we use these verbs let's start with
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can we use can to talk about present ability i can speak spanish now did you hear
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that i used the weak form con with a schwa not
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the strong form can with an a sound we often use the in weak form in statements and questions.
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I can speak Spanish.
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Here's an example using knowability.
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I can't speak Spanish.
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Notice the pronunciation difference between can with a short a,
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which is the pronunciation we use in short answers.
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I can can't with the long R sound.
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This is in my accent modern RP.
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In other regional dialects or in North American English, it's different.
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Moving on, we use can to ask for and give permission.
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Can I have pizza for breakfast?
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And we use can't to refuse permission.
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No, So, you can't.
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We also use can to make requests.
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Can you make me a pizza?
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And we can use can to talk about general possibilities.
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For example, it can be cold and rainy in the UK in March.
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It's not always cold and rainy, but it is sometimes.
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We use can't to make deductions when we're sure something is not true or not happening.
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For example, Ellen can't be Tim's sister.
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doesn't have a sister.
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Now, let's continue that thought with a different modal verb.
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Ellen could be Tim's cousin.
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He has about ten.
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Am I sure?
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No, but it's a decent guess based on some evidence I have.
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We use could to make deductions when we think something is possible,
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but we're not certain.
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How else do we use could?
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Well, it's pretty similar to can in many ways.
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You know that we use can to talk about present ability,
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we use could to express past ability.
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I could see perfectly when I was younger.
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Now I'm as blind as a bat.
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That's a common simile, meaning you can't see very well.
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Could expresses general ability in the past.
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You can use was or were able to or managed to
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to talk about something that was possible on a specific occasion in the past.
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See the PDF for a couple more examples.
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We also use could to make requests.
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It's more formal and more polite than can.
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For example, excuse me, could you help me look for my glasses?
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I can't see a thing without them.
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And we use could to talk about things that are possible in the present or future.
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My glasses could be in my bag.
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It's like a black hole in there.
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Okay, another modal verb with similar functions.
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Might.
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In formal language, we use might to make requests.
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Might I borrow your umbrella for a moment?
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Now, this isn't really common in everyday speech.
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Can or could are used much more often.
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We use might to make deductions when we're not sure.
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We can use all of our modals of deduction to talk about the past as well as the present and future.
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The structure to talk about the past is modal plus have plus past participle.
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An example, where's the fish we're having for dinner?
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Not sure, the cat might have eaten it.
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And we can use might plus base verb to talk about things that are possible in the present or future.
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I might not go to Spain this summer and I might head to Italy to practice my Italian instead.
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Okay, that sounds really nice.
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Brilliant.
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So are there any other ways to talk about possibility?
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Yes, we may have to reschedule the meeting if the boss doesn't arrive soon.
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Now, do you think may is more or less formal than might or could?
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It is more formal.
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We also use may to ask for permission,
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and again, It's quite formal.
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An example, may I use the conference room to make a personal call?
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Even more formally, we use may to give and refuse permission.
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Yes, you may.
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No you may not.
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And we use may to make deductions about things we think are probably true,
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but we're not sure.
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For example, oh dear, the boss looks annoyed.
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She may not be happy that we cancelled the meeting.
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Or she may just be annoyed that we ate all the doughnuts.
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Who knows?
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Note that we tend to use might more often in speech.
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Okay, that's clear.
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But what if we're sure something is true?
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We might say something like this.
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The boss must be annoyed that we cancelled the meeting because she came all the way from Berlin.
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We use must to make deductions when we are certain about something.
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And remember, when making deductions,
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the opposite of must is can't, not must not.
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When we're unsure, we use may, might and could.
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Now, are there any other ways we use must?
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Yes, we use must to talk about obligations,
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often things we think are important for us to do.
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And these are often called internal obligations because I think it's important to do it.
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I must call my dad later.
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It's his birthday.
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And we use must and mustn't.
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Notice the pronunciation there.
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I don't pronounce the first t mustn't to talk about rules and laws let's imagine we're going to the cinema
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you must put your phone on silent mode while the film is playing
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or you mustn't talk loudly during the film we can also
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use must to make strong suggestions you must try the cheddar jalapeno popcorn.
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It's delicious.
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We stress the modal verb with this meaning.
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You must try it.
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The flappy hand is optional,
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but I like it for emphasis.
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You must try it.
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Note that we don't usually stress modals in the present.
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You must try it is an exception.
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Okay, let's pause here for a moment and check what you've learnt so far with a little quiz.
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Complete the sentences with the modal verb that best fits the gap.
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And don't forget to conjugate it.
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Ah, that was a trick.
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We're not changing the modal verbs here.
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We use their base form.
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To make things even trickier,
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sometimes more than one verb is possible.
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Ready?
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One.
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When I was at school,
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I speak French fairly well.
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Have a little think.
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This is a past ability,
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so the answer is could.
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Number two, I'm sure it be difficult for English speakers to learn Mandarin.
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This is a deduction, and I'm sure it is true,
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so the answer is must.
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Number three, try watching your favourite K-dramas in Korean.
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learn a bit of the language.
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Number three expresses a possibility and three options could fit the gap.
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You could say might, you could also say may,
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and you could also say could.
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Number four, you teach me a few phrases in Arabic.
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This is a request and there are two possibilities.
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You could say can or could.
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Now, do you remember which one is more formal?
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It's could.
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Okay, last question now, and then we'll move on to the next part of the lesson.
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Number five, I really tidy the kitchen this afternoon.
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It's such a mess.
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This is something I think I really need to do,
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so it is an internal obligation.
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Must best completes the gap.
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How did you do?
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Keep a note of your score as we're going to do another little quiz later,
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and then you can share it in the comments section.
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But for now, we have four more modal verbs to go.
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We're over halfway there.
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Before the quiz, we were talking about how to use must,
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now we're looking at should.
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And it's used similarly to must in some ways, though it's less strong.
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We use should to talk about obligations and the right or wrong thing to do.
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For example, you should always wear your seatbelt on the plane.
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Or we shouldn't call Sarah now, it's after midnight.
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We also use should to make suggestions and give and ask for advice.
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For example, you look exhausted.
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You should take a nap.
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Or should we get a taxi to the airport?
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Another way we use should is to express expectations.
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For example, the flight should be on time.
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Or shouldn't Alice be here by now?
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She said she'd be arriving an hour ago.
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We can also make suggestions using shall.
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And this modal verb is one
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that really tends to confuse my students don't worry i'll sort
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it out for you we usually use shall with i
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and we for example shall we go to the beach today
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we can also ask for advice what shall we do with all the sandwiches we didn't eat.
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And we use shall to make offers.
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Shall I help you with them?
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Now, here's an important note.
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Used like this, shall is fairly common in British English,
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but it's not that common in North American English.
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Speakers of that variety often use should or another verb instead.
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Let's stick with offers now and look at our next verb and also the name of my husband, Will.
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An example.
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I'll drive tomorrow so you can enjoy the views.
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That is something Will would say.
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I hate driving.
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In spoken sentences, we almost always contract will to all,
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apostrophe LL, and will not to won't.
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We also use will or won't to make promises.
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I won't be late to pick you up, I promise.
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We use it to make statements and predictions about the future.
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The hike will be stunning in this gorgeous sunshine.
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And what about this sentence here?
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What's the function?
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Will you pack us some snacks, please?
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Yep, this is a request.
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We use will to make requests.
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Okay, are you still with me?
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Can we talk about our final modal verb, would?
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Note the pronunciation there.
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I don't pronounce the L.
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Uh, would, would.
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Now, like will, we use would to make requests.
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But which one is more polite and less direct?
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Listen to these two examples.
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Will you pass me the map?
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Would you pass me the map?
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I might have given you a clue with my body language.
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Would is more polite.
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We can also use would to give advice.
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For example, if I were you,
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I'd turn the map around.
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You've got it the wrong way up.
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Now, this sentence also demonstrates another use of would, expressing a hypothetical situation.
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We can use would to talk about hypothetical situations in the present, past, or future.
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An example, so what would you do if I said we were lost?
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And finally, would is used as the past form of will in indirect speech.
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For example, direct speech, we'll find the path again, I promise.
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In direct speech, he promised that we would find the path again.
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Okay, shall we do one more short quiz?
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Just three questions this time,
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and then you can share your score in the comment section.
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You ready?
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What is the function of the modal verb in these sentences?
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One, are you coming for dinner tomorrow?
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I'll make sure there's a vegetarian option.
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Is it a request or a promise?
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It's a promise.
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Number two, I'd make a dessert if I had more time.
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What is the function of would here?
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To express a hypothetical situation or to make a request?
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Yes, it is a hypothetical situation.
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And finally, you should ask Pete to make his famous trifle.
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Is this advice or an expectation?
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It is advice.
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Trifle is always a classic.
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So how did you do?
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Add your score from before and let me know in the comments.
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I really hope you feel more confident about using modals now.
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And remember, I have created your free PDF Modals Study Guide.
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Just click on the link in the description box or scan the QR code here if you'd like to download that.
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Remember you get a link to a secret interactive exercise pack too,
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so you can really practice what you've learnt.
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Thank you so much for being my student today.
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It was a pleasure to teach you and I'll see you in the next lesson.
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About This Lesson
Welcome to your comprehensive practice session on modal verbs! In this lesson, you will focus on the nine essential modal verbs: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would. These words often challenge English learners due to their various functions and subtle meanings. You will explore their grammatical forms, usage in sentences, and real-life examples. Our engaging quizzes will help reinforce your understanding of these modals. Additionally, you will have access to a free PDF study guide containing detailed explanations and practice exercises, making this lesson not only informative but also interactive.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- Modal Verbs: Auxiliary verbs that express necessity, possibility, permission, or ability.
- Base Form: The original form of a verb without any tense or morphological adjustments.
- Examples: Sentences showcasing the proper usage of modal verbs.
- Interactive Exercises: Activities designed to enhance understanding of modal verbs.
- Download: The action of obtaining a material, such as a PDF or guide, from the internet.
Practice Tips
To enhance your learning experience, it's crucial to engage in shadow speak or shadowspeaks. This technique involves mimicking the tone, speed, and pronunciation of native speakers as you practice modal verbs. Here are a few focused tips:
- Listen Actively: Pay close attention to the pronunciation and intonation of modal verbs in sentences. Notice how they change meaning based on context.
- Slow Down: Practice at a slower pace if you're struggling. Focus on clarity rather than speed until you feel more confident with the modal forms.
- Repeat Aloud: Use the examples provided in the video to practice speaking aloud. This not only helps improve English pronunciation but also ingrains the structure of sentences in your memory.
- Record Yourself: Listen back to your recordings of shadow speech to identify areas for improvement. Pay attention to your use of modal verbs and the overall flow of your sentences.
- Engage with Quizzes: Take advantage of the quizzes associated with the lesson. They are great for consolidating your understanding and ensuring you can apply modal verbs correctly in conversation.
By employing these techniques, you will see significant improvement in your English speaking abilities, especially when it comes to using modal verbs accurately and confidently!
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.
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