Modal and Semi-Modal Verbs and Expressions
INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED B2-C2 · 6 WEEKS · $26
Modal and semi-modal verbs and expressions serve as auxiliary verbs that alter or qualify the meaning of a main verb, conveying notions of possibility, necessity, ability, obligation, permission, willingness, or expectation.
Modal verbs include the following:
- Can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, and must.
Semi-modal verbs include the following:
- Dare, ought to, had better, have to, need, used to and would rather.
Other modal expressions include the following:
- To be able to, to be due to, to be allowed to, etc.
These patterns convey the following meanings:
Willingness
- I will help you with your project.
- He would gladly take on the responsibility.
Obligation, Necessity, Permission and Forbiddance
- You must submit your assignment by tomorrow.
- "We need to address this issue urgently.
- I have to study for my exams.
- You may not smoke in the office.
- Customers must not enter without a valid ticket.
Advice and Suggestions
- You should try the new restaurant in town.
- You ought to take some time off to relax and recharge.
Promises
- I will definitely complete the project by the deadline."
Threats
- If you don't apologize, I will report your behavior to the authorities.
Requests
- Could you please lend me your laptop for the presentation?
Inquiries
- May I ask what time the meeting is scheduled for?
Offers
- Would you like me to book a table at the restaurant for you?
Invitations
- Will you join us for dinner at our place this Friday?
Boldness
- I dare to express my true opinions, even if they are unpopular.
Habits and Permanence
- When she was a child, she would frequently bake cookies for her friends on her birthday.
- He used to smoke, but he quit last year
Imagination
- Imagine what could happen if we had magic.
Possibility
- It may rain tomorrow, so you should bring an umbrella.
Certainty
- He must be at the meeting. He never misses it.
Preferences
- I would rather go for a walk in the park than watch a movie.
Counterarguments
- Costly as an investment in renewable energy may seem, it has long-term benefits.
By the end of the course, students will have acquired a solid foundation in the usage of modal and semi-modal verbs, enabling them to express ideas with precision, navigate interpersonal interactions effectively, and comprehend a wide range of written and spoken texts. This course will empower students to become more proficient users of English, equipping them with the linguistic tools necessary for successful communication in academic, professional, and everyday contexts.
This course includes 24 videos, 24 articles, 7 weekly quizzes, a final exam, a grace period to complete late assignments, and a certificate of completion
No need to sign up. Just click on the enroll button, and you'll get the course at half price automatically.
The Syllabus
Week 1
- Modal Verbs: Sentence Structures
- Semi-Modal Verbs
- Adverbs and modal verbs
- Other Modal Expressions
Week 2
- Obligation and Necessity
- Lack of Obligation or Necessity
- Forbiddance
- Advice and Suggestions
Week 3
- Permission
- Ability
- Habits and Permanence
- Imagination
Week 4
- Willingness
- Promises and Threats
- Requests, Inquiries, Offers and invitations
- Boldness
Week 5
- Possibility
- Present and Future Possibility
- Past Possibility
Week 6
- Present and Future
- Past Certainty
- Expectations
Week 7
- General and Specific Preferences
- Preference Towards the Actions of Others
- Counterarguments
- Modality: Idioms
Week 8
- Final Exam
Week 9
- A grace period to submit late assignments