Objectives
- Master the main modal verbs (can, could, must, should, may, might)
- Express obligation, possibility, advice, ability
- Build the 4 conditional types
- Use modals to nuance writing in essays
- Avoid OBC common mistakes
1. Modal verbs
| Modal | Meaning | Example |
|---|
| can / could | Ability, possibility, permission | I can speak English. (ability) |
| must / have to | Strong obligation | You must study hard. |
| should / ought to | Advice | You should drink water. |
| may / might | Possibility | It might rain in Douala. |
| would | Conditional, polite | I would like a coffee. |
| shall | Suggestion (UK) | Shall we go? |
1.1 Modal + Perfect (past speculation)
- « You should have studied harder. » (regret)
- « She must have left early. » (deduction)
- « He might have forgotten. » (possibility)
2. The four conditionals
2.1 Zero conditional (general truth)
If + present, present. Always true.
- « If you heat water to 100 °C, it boils. »
2.2 First conditional (real future)
If + present, will + base.
- « If I pass the Probatoire, I will study Medicine. »
2.3 Second conditional (unreal present/future)
If + past simple, would + base.
- « If I were rich, I would build a school in my village. »
2.4 Third conditional (unreal past)
If + past perfect, would have + V-ed. Regret.
- « If I had studied more, I would have passed. »
3. Mixed conditionals
« If I had been born in Yaoundé (past), I would speak Ewondo now (present). »
OBC application
Translate :
- « Si j'étais président, je créerais des emplois. » → « If I were president, I would create jobs. » (2nd cond.)
- « Si j'avais étudié, j'aurais réussi. » → « If I had studied, I would have passed. » (3rd cond.)
- « Tu devrais te reposer. » → « You should rest. »
OBC pitfalls :- Using « would » in the IF-clause (faux : « If I would... » → vrai : « If I were... »)
- Confusing « must » and « should »
- Forgetting « to » after « have » (have TO study)
Key points
- Must/have to = obligation ; should = advice ; can = ability/permission
- Modal + have + V-ed = past speculation
- 1st cond = real future ; 2nd cond = unreal present (were + would) ; 3rd cond = unreal past (had + would have)
Further
