Bahasa Inggeris notes, unit 5
Grammar: modals, the future and conditionals
Textbook English Form 1 KSSM (2016, older edition) — skills-based units for the UASA, pages Skills unit (UASA Paper format)
What this chapter covers
- I can use a modal verb with the base form of a verb, like "She can swim", not "She can swims" (5.1)
- I can use can and could to talk about ability, and to ask politely (5.2)
- I can use must, have to and should for rules and advice, and I know the difference between mustn't and don't have to (5.3)
- I can use may and might to talk about possibility and to ask for permission (5.4)
- I can choose will, going to or the present continuous to talk about the future (5.5)
- I can make zero and first conditional sentences with if, like "If it rains, we will stay at home" (5.6)
- I can give instructions and warnings with imperatives, like "Close the door" and "Don't run" (5.7)
- I can find and correct modal, future and if-sentence errors in a UASA Paper 1 Part 2 text (5.8)
5.1Modal verbs: the three golden rules
Modal verbs are small helping verbs that go before a main verb. They change the meaning: ability (can), rules (must), advice (should), possibility (may, might) and the future (will).
The modal verbs in this unit are can, could, must, should, may, might, will and would. Have to means almost the same as must, but it is not a true modal, so it follows different rules (see 5.3).
| Rule | Right | Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| 1. After a modal, use the base form of the verb (no -s, -ed or -ing). | Aiman can swim. We should bring water. | Aiman can We should |
| 2. No "to" after a modal. | You must wear a helmet. | You must |
| 3. The modal never changes for he, she or it. | She can cook nasi lemak. | She |
Negatives and questions
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | subject + modal + base verb | Mei Ling can play the piano. |
| Negative | subject + modal + not + base verb | Mei Ling cannot (can't) play the guitar. |
| Question | modal + subject + base verb? | Can Mei Ling play the violin? |
| Short answer | Yes, + subject + modal. / No, + subject + modal + n't. | Yes, she can. / No, she can't. |
Short forms: can't = cannot, couldn't = could not, mustn't = must not, shouldn't = should not, won't = will not. Note that cannot is written as one word.
"Can you to help me?" and "He can't goes." are very common mistakes. After a modal, use only the base verb: "Can you help me?" "He can't go."
Find the mistake in each sentence and correct it.
(a) Hafiz should to see a doctor.
(b) My sister cans speak Tamil.
(c) We must finished our project today.
(a) Hafiz should to see a doctor.
(b) My sister cans speak Tamil.
(c) We must finished our project today.
Show answerHide answer
(a) should to see → should see (no "to")
(b) cans → can (modals never take -s)
(c) finished → finish (base form after must)
(b) cans → can (modals never take -s)
(c) finished → finish (base form after must)
5.2Can and could
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Can: ability now | Kavitha can speak three languages. |
| Could: ability in the past | My grandfather could climb coconut trees when he was young. |
| Can: permission (it is allowed) | You can borrow two books from the library each week. |
| Can / Could: asking for help or permission | Can I sit here? Could you open the window, please? |
| Can / Could: possibility | The road can be busy on Friday evenings. It could rain later. |
Could is more polite than can. Use "Could you …, please?" when you ask a teacher or an adult: "Could you explain this again, please?"
Example: past ability
Last year Danial couldn't ride a bicycle. Now he can ride to school by himself.(couldn't = past, can = now)
Don't use could for one success in the past. Say "After two hours, we were able to find the cat" or "we managed to find the cat". "Could" is for a general ability: "I could swim when I was six."
Choose can, can't, could or couldn't.
(a) When I was five, I ______ read, but now I read every day.
(b) ______ you pass me the salt, please?
(c) Sorry, I ______ come to your party on Saturday. I have a badminton match.
(a) When I was five, I ______ read, but now I read every day.
(b) ______ you pass me the salt, please?
(c) Sorry, I ______ come to your party on Saturday. I have a badminton match.
Show answerHide answer
(a) couldn't (past, not able)
(b) Could (polite request; "Can" is also correct)
(c) can't
(b) Could (polite request; "Can" is also correct)
(c) can't
5.3Must, have to and should
| Modal | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| must | a strong rule or something the speaker feels is necessary | Students must wear their name tags. I must call my mother. |
| have to / has to | a rule or duty from outside (school, parents, the law) | Amir has to wake up at 6 a.m. to catch the school bus. |
| should | advice: a good idea | You should drink more water. It is very hot today. |
| mustn't | it is not allowed | You mustn't use your phone during the test. |
| don't have to | it is not necessary (you can choose) | Tomorrow is a holiday, so we don't have to wear our uniform. |
| shouldn't | advice: not a good idea | You shouldn't stay up so late. |
Have to changes, must does not
| Present | Past | Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I / you / we / they | I have to help. | I had to help. | Do I have to help? |
| he / she / it | She has to help. | She had to help. | Does she have to help? |
Must has no past form. For the past, use had to: "Yesterday we had to clean the classroom." (not "we musted").
Mustn't and don't have to are not the same!
"You mustn't eat in the lab." = It is not allowed.
"You don't have to bring food. Lunch is free." = You can bring food if you like, but it is not necessary.
"You mustn't eat in the lab." = It is not allowed.
"You don't have to bring food. Lunch is free." = You can bring food if you like, but it is not necessary.
"He have to go." Use has to with he, she and it: "He has to go." And "Does he has to go?" is wrong: after does, use have: "Does he have to go?"
Example: a school notice
SCIENCE LAB RULESYou must wear shoes in the lab. You mustn't eat or drink. You don't have to bring your own goggles; the school gives them to you. You should tie up long hair.
Must / mustn't = rules. Don't have to = not necessary. Should = good advice.
Complete with must, mustn't, don't have to or should.
(a) Your cough is bad. You ______ see a doctor.
(b) Visitors ______ feed the animals at the zoo. It makes them sick.
(c) The museum is free. You ______ pay.
(d) All passengers ______ wear a seat belt. It is the law.
(a) Your cough is bad. You ______ see a doctor.
(b) Visitors ______ feed the animals at the zoo. It makes them sick.
(c) The museum is free. You ______ pay.
(d) All passengers ______ wear a seat belt. It is the law.
Show answerHide answer
(a) should (advice; "must" is also possible if you feel it is really necessary)
(b) mustn't (not allowed)
(c) don't have to (not necessary)
(d) must (a rule; "have to" is also correct)
(b) mustn't (not allowed)
(c) don't have to (not necessary)
(d) must (a rule; "have to" is also correct)
5.4May and might
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| may / might: perhaps (possibility, about 50%) | Take an umbrella. It might rain this afternoon. Siti may join the choir next year. |
| may not / might not: perhaps not | Ravi is sick. He might not come to school tomorrow. |
| May I …?: asking for permission politely | May I go to the toilet, teacher? |
| may: permission in notices and rules | Students may use the computers after 2 p.m. |
How sure are you? will (100% sure) → may / might (perhaps) → won't (100% sure it will not happen).
Example: how sure?
The match will start at 4 p.m. (sure: it is on the timetable)Our team might win. (perhaps)
Farid won't play. He broke his arm. (sure: not)
maybe (one word) means "perhaps" and goes at the start: "Maybe it will rain." may be (two words) is a modal + be: "It may be cold in Cameron Highlands." Don't write "It maybe cold."
Rewrite with might: "Perhaps we will go to Langkawi in December."
Show answerHide answer
We might go to Langkawi in December.
5.5Talking about the future: will, going to and the present continuous
English has three common ways to talk about the future. They have different jobs.
| Form | Pattern | When we use it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| will | will + base verb | a decision made now, at the moment of speaking | "The phone is ringing." "I'll answer it." |
| promises and offers | I will help you with your homework. I won't be late. | ||
| predictions (what we think or believe) | I think Malaysia will win the match. | ||
| going to | am / is / are + going to + base verb | a plan or intention decided before now | I'm going to join the Scout camp next month. |
| a prediction from what we can see now | Look at those black clouds! It's going to rain. | ||
| present continuous | am / is / are + verb-ing + a future time | a fixed arrangement (time, place and people agreed) | We're flying to Kuching on Saturday. My aunt is meeting us at the airport. |
Example: one story, three futures
Nadia: "I'm going to make a birthday card for Mum." (her plan)Brother: "Good idea. I'll help you." (a decision now, an offer)
Nadia: "Thanks! We're having dinner at Grandma's house at 7 tonight, so let's finish by six." (an arrangement with a time)
Words that often go with the future: tomorrow, tonight, next week, next year, this weekend, soon, later, in two days, on Saturday. If you see one of them, the verb must be a future form, not the past.
Common mistakes:
"I willgoing to Penang." → I will go / I am going to Penang.
"Shegoing to cook." → She is going to cook. (Don't forget am / is / are.)
"We are going tovisited them." → We are going to visit them. (base verb after going to)
"Tomorrow Iwent to the dentist." → Tomorrow I am going to the dentist.
"I will
"She
"We are going to
"Tomorrow I
Choose the better form.
(a) "I've bought the paint. I (will / am going to) paint my room this weekend."
(b) "This bag is heavy." "Wait, I (will / am going to) carry it for you."
(c) "What are you doing on Sunday?" "I (play / am playing) futsal with Hakim at 9."
(a) "I've bought the paint. I (will / am going to) paint my room this weekend."
(b) "This bag is heavy." "Wait, I (will / am going to) carry it for you."
(c) "What are you doing on Sunday?" "I (play / am playing) futsal with Hakim at 9."
Show answerHide answer
(a) am going to (a plan; she already bought the paint)
(b) will (a decision and an offer made now)
(c) am playing (an arrangement with a person and a time)
(b) will (a decision and an offer made now)
(c) am playing (an arrangement with a person and a time)
5.6Zero and first conditionals
A conditional sentence has two parts: the if-part (the condition) and the result. The if-part can come first or second. When it comes first, put a comma after it.
| Type | Pattern | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero conditional | If + present simple, present simple | facts and things that are always true (if = when) | If you heat ice, it melts. If plants don't get water, they die. |
| First conditional | If + present simple, will + base verb | a real possibility in the future | If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home. If you study hard, you'll pass the UASA. |
The result in a first conditional can also use can, may, might, should, must or an imperative: "If you feel sick, you should rest." "If you see Aina, tell her to call me."
Example: moving the if-part
If you leave now, you will catch the bus. (comma after the if-part)You will catch the bus if you leave now. (no comma)
Unless means "if … not". "Unless you hurry, you will miss the bus." = "If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus."
Never use will in the if-part.
"If itwill rain, we will cancel the trip." → If it rains, we will cancel the trip.
Remember the -s for he, she and it: "If Alicome late, …" → If Ali comes late, …
"If it
Remember the -s for he, she and it: "If Ali
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs.
(a) If you ______ (mix) red and yellow, you get orange.
(b) If Puan Rohana ______ (be) free, she ______ (help) us with the decorations.
(c) We ______ (not finish) on time if we don't start now.
(a) If you ______ (mix) red and yellow, you get orange.
(b) If Puan Rohana ______ (be) free, she ______ (help) us with the decorations.
(c) We ______ (not finish) on time if we don't start now.
Show answerHide answer
(a) mix (zero conditional: a fact)
(b) is … will help (first conditional)
(c) won't finish / will not finish
(b) is … will help (first conditional)
(c) won't finish / will not finish
5.7Imperatives: instructions, warnings and advice
An imperative tells someone what to do. Use the base verb with no subject. For the negative, use Don't + base verb.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Instructions (recipes, steps) | Boil the water. Add the noodles. Stir for two minutes. |
| Rules and warnings (signs, notices) | Keep left. Don't run near the pool. Do not feed the monkeys. |
| Polite requests and invitations | Please sit down. Come to my house for Hari Raya! |
| Advice | Get enough sleep before the test. |
| Suggestions with "Let's" | Let's go to the night market. Let's not wait too long. |
Signs and notices in UASA Part 1 often use imperatives and modals that mean the same thing. "Do not park here" = "You mustn't park here". "Please return the books by Friday" = "You have to return the books by Friday".
"Don't to touch." and "Not run!" are wrong. Write "Don't touch." and "Don't run!" Also, don't add -s or -ing: "Turns off the fan" → "Turn off the fan".
Change these rules into imperatives.
(a) You must switch off the lights.
(b) You mustn't shout in the library.
(a) You must switch off the lights.
(b) You mustn't shout in the library.
Show answerHide answer
(a) Switch off the lights.
(b) Don't shout in the library. / Do not shout in the library.
(b) Don't shout in the library. / Do not shout in the library.
5.8Exam skill: correcting modal and future errors (Paper 1 Part 2)
In Paper 1 Part 2 you read a text with 8 underlined words. Each underlined word is wrong. You write one correct word for each. Modals and verb forms are often tested here.
Step by step
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Read the whole text once to know the topic and the time: past, present or future? |
| 2 | Look at the word before the underlined word. Is it a modal (can, must, should, will)? Then the next verb must be the base form. |
| 3 | Look for time words (yesterday, every day, tomorrow, next week). They tell you the tense. |
| 4 | Check the meaning: ability (can), rule (must), advice (should), possibility (may/might). Is the modal the right one? |
| 5 | Write only one word, spelt correctly. Read the sentence again with your word in it. |
Worked example
Our teacher (0) are going to take us to Zoo Negara next Friday. All students (1) musts bring a cap and a water bottle. We will (2) took the bus at 8 a.m. If it (3) will rain, the trip will be postponed. You (4) shall also bring some money because you might want to buy a souvenir.(0) is: "our teacher" is one person, so is going to.
(1) must: modals never take -s.
(2) take: after will, use the base verb.
(3) rains: no will in the if-part; "it" needs -s.
(4) should: this is advice ("because you might want …"), so should fits best ("can" is also accepted: you are allowed to). "Shall" is used mainly with I and we in questions: "Shall we go?"
If the underlined word is a modal, ask "What does the sentence mean?" A sentence about a rule needs must or have to; a sentence about a good idea needs should; a sentence about ability needs can or could.
Summary
| Grammar point | Remember | Example |
|---|---|---|
| All modals | modal + base verb; no -s, no "to" | She can swim. You must go. |
| can / could | ability now / in the past; polite requests | I couldn't swim last year, but now I can. |
| must / have to | rules and duties; past = had to | He has to wear a uniform. |
| mustn't vs don't have to | not allowed vs not necessary | You mustn't run. You don't have to pay. |
| should | advice | You should rest. |
| may / might | perhaps; May I …? = permission | It might rain. May I come in? |
| will | decisions now, promises, offers, predictions | I'll carry it for you. |
| going to | plans; predictions from what we see | I'm going to visit my cousins. |
| present continuous | fixed arrangements with a time | We're leaving at 7 tomorrow. |
| zero conditional | If + present, present (always true) | If you heat water, it boils. |
| first conditional | If + present, will + base verb (no will after if) | If it rains, we'll stay in. |
| imperatives | base verb, no subject; Don't + base verb | Close the door. Don't shout. |