タビスタ | まったく新しいオンライン英会話
[D-C] Modals of Ability and Obligation 1

LET'S READ! 📖

Direction: Read the passage below then answer the questions being asked.

Life of an Astronaut


Modals of Ability and Obligation 1 -01


Space stations are places for astronauts to work and study life in space. The biggest space station is the International Space Station: six astronauts can stay there. Astronauts are able to stay on space stations for a long time — the longest was 437 days — but they need to be strong and healthy because life is very difficult in space.


Usually, if you drop an apple, it must fall down: this is because of gravity, so astronauts cannot stand or walk normally. This makes it difficult for them to exercise their legs, so they have to do special exercises every day to keep fit.


There are no showers on the International Space Station — water cannot go down! So astronauts have to have baths. Astronauts have got to be very careful with washing because they have very little water. It cannot rain in space.


Could we live in space in the future? Not very soon. You need to have a lot of money to build a space city and not many countries could do this. Even if we are able to live in space, life wouldn't be easy there. We should make where we live a nicer place instead!

QUESTIONS

1. What is the biggest space station? What is its maximum capacity?

2. What do astronauts need to do to keep fit? Why?

LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚

Modals of Ability and Obligation

Can, could, must, and should are modal verbs.

🔺 Can / be able to

1. Use can (not) and be (not) able to for talking about present ability.

Be able to is less common and more formal.

    Example:

  • She can come whenever she likes, as far as I'm concerned.

  • As a politician, he is able to withstand public criticism.

2. Use will be able to for future ability. The negative form of the future is will not be able to or won't be able to.

    Example:

  • Journalists will be able to preview the exhibition tomorrow.

  • Through this assessment, the teacher will be able to ascertain the extent to which the child understands what he is reading.

3. We can also use can for future ability if we are talking about a possible plan.

    Example:

  • Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

  • If a plug is wired incorrectly, it can be dangerous.

4. Could is equal to would be able to.

    Example:

  • Never once did I doubt that I could execute my plan.

  • Never once did I doubt that I would be able to execute my plan.

🔺 Must, Have to, Should

1. There are no past or future forms of must. Use forms of have to for obligation in the past or the future.

- Use must and have to to talk about rules and laws, or something that is necessary.

- Use must to talk about what the speaker thinks is necessary. Have to is usually about an obligation imposed on the speaker by others or the situation.

- Questions are more common with have to than must.

    Example:

  • You must be able to speak Japanese for this job.

  • You have to pay a fee for the excess baggage amounting to $50.00.

  • Will I have to have an operation?

  • Why do you have to dramatize everything?

2. Use mustn't or can't (NOT don't have to) to talk about things we are not allowed to do.

    Example:

  • We mustn't take combustible goods aboard.

  • You can't leave this premises without the permission of the head teacher.

3. Use don't have to or doesn't have to for something which is not necessary.

    Example:

  • His words were just idle threats; You don't have to take them too seriously.

  • He doesn't have to exert himself on my behalf.

4. Use should to say what it is necessary to do and to give advice. Should is not as strong as must.

    Example:

  • We should never remember the benefit we have offered nor forget the favor received.

  • Children should be disciplined when the need arises.

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

A. Direction: Please select at least 1 scenario listed below and provide advice using modal verbs. Elaborate on your responses to provide comprehensive guidance.

  1. Improving English skill: Your friend wants to improve their English-speaking skills. What advice would you give them?

  2. Time management: Your co-worker is struggling with time management at work. How would you advise them?

  3. Staying active: Your cousin is having trouble finding motivation to exercise regularly. How would you advise them to stay active?

  4. Planning a trip: Your friend is planning a trip abroad and wants to make the most of their experience. What advice would you provide for a memorable journey?

  5. Stress management: Your younger sibling is struggling with stress and anxiety during exams. How would you advise them to manage it effectively?

Now, it's your turn.


YOUR TURN Photo