WEEK 5:
GRAMMAR:MODAL FORMS OF VERB
CONTENT:
What are modal verbs?
Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verb s, modal auxiliaries ) are special verbs which behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like “work, play visit…” They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative functions .
Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:
They never change their form. You can’t add “s”, “ed”, “ing”…
They are always followed by an infinitive without “to” (e.i. the bare infinitive.)
They are used to indicate modality allow speakers to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability
List of modal verbs: can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must .The verbs or expressions dare , ought to, had better , and need not behave like modal auxiliaries to a large extent and my be added to the above list
Use of modal verbs:
Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:
1. Permission
2. Ability
3. Obligation
4. Prohibition
5. Lack of necessity
6. Advice
7. possibility
8. probability
Examples of modal verbs
Here is a list of modals with examples:
must
Strong obligation : You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
logical conclusion / Certainty
He must be very tired. He’s been working all day long.
must not prohibition : You must not smoke in the hospital.
CAN
ABILITY: I can swim.
PERMISSION : Can I use your phone please?
POSSIBILITY :Smoking can cause cancer.
COULD
ABILITY IN THE PAST: When I was younger I could run fast.
POLITE PERMISSION: Excuse me, could I just saysomething?
POSSIBILITY: It could rain tomorrow!
MAY
PERMISSION: May I use your phone please?
POSSIBILITY,
PROBABILITY: It may rain tomorrow!
MIGHT
POLITE PERMISSION: Might I suggest an idea?
POSSIBILITY,
PROBABILITY: I might go on holiday to Australia next year.
need not lack of necessity/vabsence of obligation
I need not buy tomatoes.
There are plenty of tomatoes in the fridge.
SHOULD/OUGHT TO
50 % OBLIGATION: I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache.
ADVICE : You should / ought to revise your lessons
LOGICAL CONCLUSION: He should / ought to be very tired. He’s been working all day long.
NOTE:
Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without “to”, also called the bare infinitive.
Examples:
You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
You should see to the doctor.
There are a lot of tomatoes in the fridge. You need not buy any.
COMPOSITION:
TOPIC: INFORMAL LETTER
CONTENT
Letter writing is an act of communicating information, feelings, ideas or opinions to somebody who is absent or resides in a distance. A letter should contain full details of the issue one is writing about in order to bring about the same reaction that would have occurred if the message contained in it had been a spoken one.
Types of letter writing
1. Informal letter
2. Semi formal letter
3. Formal letter
INFORMAL LETTER
An informal letter is also known as personal letter. These are letters written to a close relative, friends and close ones.
FORMAT OF INFORMAL LETTER
1. Address of the writer and date: this must be well – punctuated. The address must appear on the top right hand corner of the page.
Example:
36, Adebayo Street,
Abule – Egba,
Lagos.
24th May, 2017.
Greeting/salutation: this is usually “Dear” plus the first name of the person you are writing to e.g. Dear Tolu, Dear John. This is so because informal letter must reflect the cordial relationship between the writer and the receiver.
Complimentary close: ‘Yours sincerely’: is the most appropriate. Followed
by the writers first name. Example:
Yours sincerely,
Dupe.
EVALUATION: write a letter to your father asking him to send you some money, give him three reason for your request.
ASSIGNMENT: Write a letter to your friend living outside the country telling him/her three reasons why you like your school.