Exercise 1
Find the incorrect sentences.
a I think you should work harder.
b Do you can speak Japanese?
c Mary thinks it may rain later.
d The twins must tidy their bedroom.
e Sally musts go to the dentist soon.
f I’m sorry but we must to go now.
g That can’t be the postman. It’s much too early.
h The dog didn’t should steal food from the fridge.
i We maying go to France in September.
j Could you lend me your dictionary?
Exercise 2
Use a suitable modal to complete the sentences. Use some modals more than once. Sometimes there is more than one correct answer.
can can’t could must mustn’t shouldn’t may might
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a I want the salt please. |
…………………….. you pass me the salt, please? |
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b It’s a bad idea for you to go. |
You …………………….. go. |
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c It’s possible it’ll rain tomorrow. |
It …………………….. rain tomorrow. |
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d Do you have the ability to swim? |
…………………….. you swim? |
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e Do not park here. |
You …………………….. park here. |
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f Is it OK if I use your phone? |
…………………….. I use your phone? |
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g That isn’t a bird. It’s impossible! |
That …………………….. be a bird! |
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h It’s important that you stop smoking. |
You …………………….. stop smoking. |
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i It’s possible I’ll ask you to help me. |
I …………………….. ask you to help me. |
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j Fred is unable to sing. |
Fred …………………….. sing. |
Exercise 3
Choose the best option.
a Jeff may not/can’t/might not ride a bicycle. He never learnt to do it.
b I’m sure you can’t/couldn’t/must be tired. You were awake all night.
c It might/can/must be a nice weekend. If it is, we’ll go to the beach.
d May/Should/Could you close the window? I’m cold.
e Mobile phones can/must/might be switched off during the flight.
f You really should/could/might stop smoking.
g That can/should/can’t be a spider. It’s only got six legs.
h Tom isn’t here. He can/may/shouldn’t be at home.
i You shouldn’t/couldn’t/mustn’t forget your passport this time!
j Drivers can/may/should go more slowly. There are too many accidents.
Exercise 4
Write new sentences with similar meanings, using modals. More than one answer may be possible.
a I want a glass of water.
………………………………
b Lock the door, please.
………………………………
c Do you want me to help you?
………………………………
d No smoking in the library.
………………………………
e It’s possible that you’re right.
………………………………
Exercise 5
Find and correct five mistakes in the dialogue.
Jo: Bill musts be here soon. He left hours ago!
Nick: I think you should call him on the mobile. He must to have it with him.
Jo: I can’t. My battery is flat. Must I borrow yours?
Nick: Yes, sure. Here you are.
Jo: No answer. Now what do I should do?
Nick: You should stop worrying. I’m sure he won’t be long. He mays arrive any moment.
Answers
Read the note to find out why.
1
a correct -> F
b Do you can Can you -> D
c correct -> G
d correct -> I
e musts must -> A
f must to go must go -> B
g correct -> H
h didn’t should shouldn’t -> D
i maying may -> C
j correct -> E
2
a Can/Could -> E
b shouldn’t -> F
c may/might -> G
d Can -> E
e mustn’t -> I
f Can/Could/May -> E
g can’t -> H
h must -> I
i may/might/could -> G
j can’t -> E
3
a can’t f should
b must g can’t
c might h may
d Could i mustn’t
e must j should
4
a Can/Could/May I have a glass of water?
b Can/Could you lock the door?
c Can I help you?
d You mustn’t smoke in the library.
e You may/might/could be right.
5
musts must
must to have must have
Must I? Can/Could/May I?
do I should do should I do
mays may
Notes
A
Never put s on the third person singular form of modal verbs.
B
Use the base form of the verb (not the to infinitive) after modal verbs.
C
M odal verbs haven’t got infinitives or participles.
D
Make modal questions and negative sentences without do.
E
Use can/can’t to talk about ability. Use can, could or may to ask for or give permission. Use can/could you to make a request.
F
Use should/shouldn’t to ask for or give someone advice.
G
Use may, might and could to talk about possibilities.
H
Use must and can’t to make logical deductions.
I
Use must and mustn’t to talk about obligations.
Review
Modal verbs
– You never put s on the third person singular form of modal verbs.
He can do it! NOT He cans do it!
It might rain. NOT It mights rain.
– You use the base form of the verb, not the to infinitive, after modal verbs.
I must go to the bank. NOT I must to go to the bank.
Jo can’t come tonight. NOT Jo can’t to come tonight.
Note that modal verbs haven’t got infinitives or participles. You can’t say ‘to should’ or ‘maying’ or ‘musted’.
– You make modal questions and negative sentences without do.
Can I help you? NOT Do can I help you?
He shouldn’t say that. NOT He don’t should say that.
– You use can/can’t to talk about ability.
I can swim. He can’t read.
– You use can, could or may to ask for or give permission. Note that may is more formal and less common than can or could. You also use can to ask for things.
Can I stay up late tonight? Could we go out? May I borrow your car?
Can I have a drink?
– You use can/could you to make a request.
Can you shut the door? Could you pass me the salt?
– You use should/shouldn’t to ask for or give someone advice.
What should I say to Mum? You should apologize. You shouldn’t do that.
– You use may, might and could to talk about possibilities.
It may rain during the night. Jack might be at home by now.
The keys could be in the car.
– You use must and can’t to make logical deductions. Usually the deduction is based on something you know now.
You must be hungry. I know you haven’t eaten anything.
That can’t be an insect. It’s got too many legs.
– You use must and mustn’t to talk about obligations.
Passengers must switch off their mobile phones. You mustn’t park here.