Modal Verbs

1
Modal Verbs
2
What is the difference between can, will and
should? Discuss the meanings of the three words
in the following example.
3
Example 1 Michael loves watching TV, playing
computer games and surfing the net. He never does
any exercise. Moreover, he loves eating fried
food and sweet food. Today, Michael has a body
check in the clinic. The doctor finds that
Michael is overweight. Here is his doctors
suggestion. You should do more exercise and
shouldnt eat too much fatty food. Doing exercise
can help to reduce your body fat. It will make
you slimmer and healthier.
4

• can
• means something can possibly happen.
• used to indicate possibility and ability.
• e.g. Doing exercise can help to reduce body
  fat. (indicates possibility)
• e.g. Mary can dance very well. (indicates
  ability)

5

• will
• means something will definitely happen.
• used to indicate willingness and certainty.
• e.g. Doing more exercise will make you slimmer
  and healthier. (means something definitely
  happens)
• e.g. Will you help Peter to finish his project?
• Sure, I will. He is one of my best friend.
  (indicates willingness and certainty)

6

• should
• means something ought to happen.
• indicates obligation or probability.
• e.g. You should do more exercise. (means
  something you ought to do.)
• e.g. Alvin is very good at drawing. He should
  become an artist. (indicates probability)

7
Modal Verb - Can
8
Some people think that watching TV is good for
children. Do you still think watching TV is a
good habit?
Watching TV can become a bad habit.
Gloria and Gordon love watching T.V. very much.
Everyday, they spend over 5 hours watching TV.
9
Spending too much time watching TV can take away
our time from doing more important things.
Spending too much time watching TV can cause a
lot of problems.
Gloria and Gordon love watching T.V. very much.
Everyday, they spend over 5 hours watching TV.
10
What problems can watching too much TV cause?
Spending too much time watching TV can make your
eyes tired and sore.
After watching 5 hours of TV, Gloria and Gordon
find that their eyes are very tired and sore.
11
Although reading comics is entertaining, some of
the comics contain bad messages.
Reading comics can become a bad habit.
Steven likes reading comics. However, some of the
comics are not so good.
12
What can children become if children read violent
comics?
Children can become violent.
Some of the comics that Steven reads are quite
violent.
13
Modal Verb - Will
14
Doctors advise people to stop smoking. Why?
Smoking will affect your health.
Grandpa likes smoking very much.
15
Why doesnt Ginny like talking with grandpa after
he smokes? What does smoking cause?
Smoking will cause bad breath.
Ginny doesnt like talking with her grandpa after
he smokes.
16
Many reports say that smoking is bad to our
health, especially it is bad to our lungs.
Smoking will cause different kinds of lung
diseases.
Grandpa has had a serious cough recently.
17
If Peter insists waiting in the queue, what will
happen?
Spending too much time waiting in the queue will
make him late.
Peter is waiting for a bus. However, there are
many people in the queue.
18
What will happen if eating too much?
Eating too much will make you fat.
Jacky likes eating very much. His favourite food
is noodles, fried food and sweet food.
19
Modal Verb - should
20
What should Gloria and Gordon do?
Gloria and Gordon should spend more time reading
books or doing exercise.
They shouldnt spend too much time watching TV.
21
What should Steven do?
Steven should choose the comics carefully.
He shouldnt read violent comics.
22
What should grandpa do?
Grandpa should stop smoking.
23
What should Peter do?
Peter should take a taxi.
He shouldnt wait in the queue.
24
What should Jacky do?
Jacky should eat more healthy food.
He shouldnt eat too much fried food and sweet
food .