Modal Operators

Question 1

Modal Operators (Necessity) Negative Example:

(Words that dictate or imply what is possible, right and/or necessary. Common: Must, mustn’t, have to)

“You have to get your act together.”

Answer 1

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“What would happen if I didn’t?”

Question 2

Modal Operators (Necessity) Negative Example:

(Words that dictate or imply what is possible, right and/or necessary. Common: Must, mustn’t, have to)

“I have to make at least $500,000 a year.”

Answer 2

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“According to what criteria?”

Question 3

Modal Operators (Possibility) Negative Example:

(can, can’t, could, couldn’t)

“You can bring me a beer.”

Answer 3

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“What would happen if I didn’t?”

Question 4

Modal Operators (Possibility) Negative Example:

(can, can’t, could, couldn’t)

“I can’t stand your hair anymore.”

Answer 4

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“What would happen if you could stand my hair?”

Question 5

Modal Operators (Possibility) Negative Example:

(can, can’t, could, couldn’t)

“She couldn’t be more intelligent.”

Answer 5

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“She could be more intelligent if what?”

Question 6

Modal Operators (Possibility) Negative Example:

(can, can’t, could, couldn’t)

“He couldn’t be dumber.”

Answer 6

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“What prevents him?”

Question 7

Modal Operators (Possibility) Negative Example:

(can, can’t, could, couldn’t)

“I can’t get the hang of this.”

Answer 7

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“Can’t? What if you could?”

Question 8

Modal Operators (Judgment) Negative Example:

(Should, shouldn’t, ought to (see also Lost Performative))

“You should be a better cook.”

Answer 8

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“According to whom?”

Question 9

Modal Operators (Judgment) Negative Example:

(Should, shouldn’t, ought to (see also Lost Performative))

“You shouldn’t wear those colors.”

Answer 9

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“According to whom?”

Question 10

Modal Operators (Judgment) Negative Example:

(Should, shouldn’t, ought to (see also Lost Performative))

“I should be better at this.”

Answer 10

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“According to whom?” According to me…“According to which part of me?”

Question 11

Modal Operators (Contingency) Negative Example:

(Would, wouldn’t)

“Surely you must have realized I would get angry (if you did that)?”

Answer 11

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“You would? How would you rather get it?”

Question 12

Modal Operators (Contingency) Negative Example:

(Would, wouldn’t)

“You wouldn’t look natural in a car that expensive.”

Answer 12

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“I wouldn’t? If what?”

Question 13

Modal Operators (Contingency) Negative Example:

(Would, wouldn’t)

“I would make a change?”

Answer 13

Modal Operators Positive Challenge:

“You would, except for what?”