GRAMMAR. The modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, must, ought to, will, would, shall, should, have to

1.Study the following rules.

Modal Verbs

The modal verbs are:

can, could, may, might, must, ought to, will, would, shall, should, have to, be to, need.

They take no –s in the third person singular except for have to and need.

They come before the subject in questions and take ‘ not’ after them in negations.

Except for ought to, have to and be to, modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to.

Modal verbs are used to express:

Modal verb	Equivalent	Meaning	Example
can/ could	be able to	physical or mental ability; possibility;   doubt; permission	He can ride perfectly.   You can have this book when I finish it. Can she be working now? Could I interrupt you?
may/ might	be allowed to	permission;   supposition implying uncertainty; possibility due to circumstances; reproach (only might)	May I speak to the bank manager? She may come back.   In this museum you may see some interesting things. You might be more attentive!
must	have to	obligation, necessity; order or advice;   probability or supposition; prohibition	He must earn money. You must leave the room at once! He must be eighty.   You mustn’t enter the room.
should/ ought to	-	obligation (very often a moral obligation) or duty; advisability	Kate is in hospital. You should visit her.   You ought to go to the theatre more.
be to	-	order or instruction; arrangement or agreement, part of a plan; possibility	You are to go to sleep. We were to meet at the entrance of the theatre at a quarter to eight. He was not to be found.
have to	-	obligation or necessity depending on circumstances	I had to sell most of my things.
shall	-	compulsion or strict order; threat or warning;   offering to do something	You shall go to the dining room first. You shallnot run away before you answer. Shall I shut the door, madam?
will/ would	-	polite request; persistence	Will you have a cup of tea? “Don’t tell me.” “But I will tell you.”
need	-	necessity	You needn’t hurry.

2.Fill in can or be able to in the appropriate tense and form.

1.I’ve been looking for your glasses but I haven’t been able to find them yet.

2.By the time Phyllis was ten, she...... speak three languages.

3.If you don’t tell me what your problem is, I....... help you.

4.He had hurt his leg, so he....... walk very well.

5.She wasn’t at home when I phoned but I....... contact her at her office.

6.Ask Ann about your problem. She should....... help you.

3.Express the possibility of the action.

M O D E L: I want to buy such a pad. – You may buy it at any book-shop of our town.

1.I have always wanted to have such a dictionary (to buy it at the nearest shop).

2.I want to see the film you are talking about (to see it at the cinema “Cosmos”).

3.I need some medicine for a headache (to buy it at any chemist’s).

4.I am afraid I’ll be late for the train (to order a taxi by telephone).

5.I would like to see him and his family (to pay a visit).

4.Express reproach.

M O D E L: Andrew often crosses the street in the wrong place. – Andrew, you might be more careful.

1.Irene always forgets her pen at home (to be less forgetful).

2.John often keeps silent when something is being discussed (to be more active).

3.I usually feel out of place with strangers (to be less shy).

4.Helen never does what she is asked to do by her parents (to be more obedient).

5.Complete the sentences with the correct form of must or have to.

1.It’s my Dad’s birthday next week. I..... buy him a present.

2.All my clothes are too small for me. I..... lose some weight.

3.My doctor is worried about my weight. She says I..... go on a diet.

4...... you..... travel abroad in your job?

5.I’m sorry I couldn’t come to your party. I..... work late.

6.Choose the correct verb form.

1.We have a lot of work tomorrow. You mustn’t /don’t have to be late.

2.You mustn’t/don’t have to tell Mary what I told you. It’s a secret.

3.The museum is free. You mustn’t/don’t have to pay to get in.

4.Children mustn’t/don’t have to tell lies. It’s very naughty.

5.Terry’s a millionaire. He mustn’t/doesn’t have to go to work.

6.I mustn’t/don’t have to do my washing. My mother does it for me.

7.We mustn’t/don’t have to play with guns. They are dangerous.

8.You mustn’t/don’t have to rush. We’ve got plenty of time.

7.Write advice for the following situations using should.

M O D E L: I’m so tired. – You should go to bed early tonight.

1.My wallet has been stolen.

2.I’ve got an exam next month.

3.I feel ill. I think I’ve got flu.

4.I’m bored. I want to find a new hobby.

5.I want to buy a car but I haven’t got enough money.

6.I just don’t know what to do with my hair. It looks awful!

8.Paraphrase the sentences using the modal verb to be.

M O D E L: We agreed to meet near the theatre. – We are to meet near the theatre.

1.We agreed to spend summer in the country.

2.It was arranged that I should meet them at the bus stop.

3.The delegation is supposed to arrive on Monday.

4.The time-table is supposed to be changed next week.

5.You are ordered to come at eight sharp.

9.Complete the sentences with the correct form of can, have to and be allowed to. More than one answer may be possible.

1.You ..... wear a seat belt when you go by car in Britain.

2.Some British children..... wear a uniform at school.

3...... you..... smoke when you were a teenager?

4.You can walk in the park but you..... play football.

5.His parents are quite strict. He..... tidy his room, do the washing-up and take the dog for a walk every day.

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