Page 94 - New Grammar with a Smile 5

19 Modals

Warm-up

Match the words to their function.

A B

1. can a. To talk about inability

2. should b. To talk about the absolute need to
not do something

3. may c. To talk about ability

4. mustn’t d. To give a polite suggestion

5. can’t e. To ask for permission politely

Read this table to understand the functions of can/can’t, may/mayn’t, should/
shouldn’t and must/mustn’t.

Words Functions Examples

can y To talk about ability y I can swim.

y To ask for or to grant permission y Can I borrow your sandals?
Yes, you can.

cannot/ y To talk about inability y I can’t swim.
can’t y To talk about what one is not y You can’t cycle on a busy

allowed to do road.

may y To seek and to grant permission y May I come in? Yes, you may.

may not/ y To refuse permission politely y May I come in? No, you mayn’t.
mayn’t

should y To talk about something that is y You should be respectful

the right thing to do towards your elders.

94