Modal Verbs: Requests

Introduction

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are used to express certain hypothetical conditions, such as advice, capability, or requests (there’s a full list in the next section). They are Auxiliary Verbs that provide additional and specific meaning to the main verb of the sentence. Modal verbs are sometimes referred to as Modal Auxiliary Verbs because they help other verbs. We can use modals to make requests in different ways.

 

 

Classification

 

  1. Requests

 

                  Can                    will                     could                    would              would you mind…

 

Grammar Rules

  • Use the modals can, could, will and would to make a request (ask someone to do something).

e.g. Can you turn on the TV?

 

  • Could and would are more polite than can and will. We use could and would to soften requests.
  • E.g. Could you text me?
  • In affirmative answers to requests, we usually use expressions such as sure, certainly, of course, and no problem.

e.g A. Would you shut the window, please?

      B. Sure / I´d be glad to / Of course.

  • In negative answers, we usually apologize and give explanation.

e.g. A: Could you deliver this to Ron, please?

       B: I´m sorry, I can´t. I´m expecting a call.

  • We also use would you mind + gerund (verb+ing) to make polite requests. It is even more polite than could or would.

e.g. A. Would you mind waiting? Mr. Carla is in a meeting.

                               B. Not at all. Or Of course.

Task

Workshop

 

Get access to this activity to complete the workshop. According to the content provided, you need to complete the Google sheet to have all the information organized.  Click on the following link

 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1050ObnAGSfWTk_G82UYDfuE5WsHA2pMJTgfIeNUQPAE/edit?usp=sharing 

Process

First, read the information about Modal Verbs to make requests in the introduction section. You also have access to some tutorials or videos related to this topic to complete the tasks. 

Evaluation

Rubric

It is for assessing simple chart filled in with correct information.

Completeness

 

All the information was included in the google sheet / chart.

Poor    1   



1/3 of chart complete

Fair                 3



1/2 of parts are complete

Good      5



All parts are completed
Appropriate information The information given was not clearly added. 

The 5 major components were included.

All the information was included correctly.

Grammar and Spelling

Several spelling/grammar errors.

Few grammar / spelling errors.

No spelling / grammar errors.
Teacher Page