Functions of modal verbs with the Simple infinitives

 

1. We express ability with:

 

can (ability in the present or future)– e.g. Can you swim? No, I can't. I can run fast though.

 

could (general ability in the past)– e.g. She could dance for hours when she was young (repeated action). was able to (= managed to) (ability in the past for a single action, achievement)– e.g. He was able to win therace (single action).

 

Can is the Present Simple form and could is the Past Simple. Can borrows the rest of its tenses fromthe verb phrase “be able to” ( e.g. She hasn't been able to finish it yet (Present Perfect)).

 

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1.1. Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to. Use can if possible; otherwise use (be) able to:

 

1. Gary has travelled a lot. He can speak five languages.

2. I haven’t been able to sleep very well recently.

3. Nicole _________________ drive, but she hasn’t got a car.

4. I used to _______________ stand on my head, but I can’t do it now.

 

5. I can’t understand Martin. I’ve never __________________ understand him.

 

6. I can’t see you on Friday, but I ___________________ meet you on Saturday morning.

 

7. Ask Catherine about your problem. She might _________________ help you.

 

1.2. Complete the sentences with can / can't / could / couldn't + one of these verbs:

 

come eat    hear run sleep wait

 

1. I'm afraid I can't come to your party next week.

 

2. When Tim was 16, he was a fast runner. He ________ _________ 100 metres in 11 seconds.

 

3.   'Are you in a hurry?' 'No, I've got plenty of time. I _____ _________.'

 

4. I was feeling sick yesterday. I _____ _________ anything.

5. Can you speak up a bit? I _____ ____________ you very well.

6.  'You look tired.' 'Yes, I _____ __________ last night.'

 

1.3. Write these sentences using the correct form of can, could, or be able to:

 

1..... I _________ see you tomorrow.

 

2..... It was too expensive – I _________ buy it.

3..... _________ I have a word with you, please?

4..... I generally leave work at six, but I _________ leave earlier on Fridays.

5..... _________ you help me carry this downstairs?

6..... (she) _________ come to the office tomorrow?

7..... I tried to see her, but I _________.

 

8..... It was so heavy that I _________ lift it.

9..... I'm afraid, I _________ come tomorrow. I'm too busy.

10.....(you) _________ contact your parents yesterday?

11.......He _________ (not) work since his illness.

 

2. We express possibility / probability with:

 

may = might = could (possibility)–e.g. He may be back before noon (It's possible); There might be somecheese in the fridge (It's possible); He could still be at home (It's possible)

 

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must, can’t (probability)– e.g. They look alike. They must be twins (I think they are twins); You have beensleeping all day. You can't be tired (I don't think it's possible that you are tired)

 

Although might is the past form of may it can be used for present situations too. May borrows the rest of its tenses from the verb phrase “be allowed to” (e.g. He has not been allowed to enter the building).

 

2.1. Put in must or can't:

 

1. You've been travelling all day. You must be very tired.

2. That restaurant __________ be very good. It's always full of people.

3. That restaurant ________ be very good. It's always empty.

4. You're going on holiday next week. You _________ be looking forward to it.

 

5. It rained every day during their holiday, so they ________ have had a very nice time.

6. Congratulations on passing your exam. You __________ be very pleased.

7. You got here very quickly. You __________ have walked very fast.

8. Bill and Sue go away on holiday very often, so they _____ be short of money.

 

2.2. Rewrite the sentences using must or can’t:

 

1. I’m sure she is at home. – She must be at home.

2. I’m certain you are crazy.

3. I know that isn’t Janet – she’s in America.

4. I’m sure she thinks I’m stupid.

5. I bet I look silly in this coat.

 

6. They’re always buying new cars – I’m certain they make a lot of money.

7. I’m sure he’s not a teacher – he is too well-dressed.

8. You are an architect? I’m sure that’s an interesting job.

9. I’m sure you are not serious. I know you’re joking.

10. I’m sure he’s got another woman: he keeps coming late.

 

2.3.    Write sentences with may or might:

 

1. Where are you going for your holidays? (to Ireland???)

2. I haven't decided yet. I might go to Ireland.

3. What sort of car are you going to buy? (a Mercedes???)

4. I'm not sure yet. I _____________________________________.

5. What are you doing this weekend? (go to London???)

 

6. I haven't decided yet. I _________________________________.

7. Where are you going to hang that picture? (in the dining room???)

8. I haven't made up my mind yet. I __________________________.

9. When is Tom coming to see us? (on Saturday???)

10. I don't know yet. He _____________________________________.

11. What is Julia going to do when she leaves school? (go to university???)

 

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12. She hasn't decided yet. She _________________________________.

 

3. We express permission with:

 

(asking for permission)

can (informal)– e.g. Can I borrow your pen?

could (more polite)–e.g. Could I borrow your car?

may (formal)– e.g. May I use your phone?

might (more formal)– e.g. Might I see your driving licence, please?

 

(giving / refusing permission)

can (informal, giving permission)– e.g. You can have one more if you want.

 

may (formal, giving permission)– e.g. You may stay a little longer.

mustn't (refusing permission)– e.g. You mustn't park here.

can’t (refusing permission)– e.g. You can't enter this room.

 

3.1. Rewrite these sentences using can, could or may:

 

1. I'd like to talk to you for a minute, Bill. (friendly) – Can I talk to you for aminute, Bill?

2. I would like to use your phone. (more polite)

3. I would like to stop work early today. (formal)

 

4. Take my bike if you want to. (friendly)

5. Are children allowed to go into pubs? (formal)

6. I don't want you to come into my room. (formal)

7. I would like to speak to Jane, if she's there. (polite)

8. I would like to have a beer. (friendly)

9. Are students allowed to use this library? (formal)

 

10. I would like to pay you tomorrow. (polite)

 

4. We make requests, offers or suggestions with:

 

can (request)– e.g. Can you help me tidy my room?

could (polite request/suggestion)– e.g. Could I have a little more cake please?

would you like (polite offer)– e.g. Would you like some more lemonade?

 

Shall I/we (suggestion/offer)– e.g. Shall I post this letter for you? (offer); Shall we buy him a present? (suggestion)

 

will (offer/request)– e.g. I'll make you some coffee if you want (friendly offer); Will you do me a favour? (friendlyrequest)

 

4.1. Fill in can, would, could, shall or will:

 

Shop Assistant: Can I help you?

 

Customer: Yes, I'm looking for a jumper. ________ you show me some?

Shop Assistant: Yes, of course. What size _______ you like?

Customer: Medium, please.

 

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Shop Assistant: I ______ get some to show you. Is there anything else you ______ like

 

to see?

Customer: ________ I try on some skirts as well?

Shop Assistant: Certainly. Do you like them?

Customer: Yes, I do. I _______ take them all.

Shop Assistant: _______ I wrap them for you?

Customer: Yes, please.

 

4.2. What would you say in these situations?

 

1. John has come to see you in your flat. You offer him something to eat. YOU: ______________.

 

JOHN: No, thank you. I'm not hungry.

 

2. You need help to change the film in your camera. You ask Ann. YOU: Ann, I don't know how to change the film ______________. ANN: Sure. It's easy. All you have to do is this.

 

3. You're on a train. The woman next to you has finished reading her newspaper. Now you want to have a look at it. You ask her.

 

YOU: Excuse me, ________________.

WOMAN: Yes, of course. I've finished with it.

 

4. You're on a bus. You have a seat but an elderly man is standing. You offer him your seat.

 

YOU: ____________________.

MAN: Oh, that's very kind of you. Thank you very much.

 

5. You're the passenger in a car. Your friend is driving very fast. You ask her to slow down.

 

YOU: You're making me very nervous, _______________.

DRIVER: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was going so fast.

 

6. You've finished your meal in a restaurant and now you want the bill. You ask the waiter:

 

YOU: ______________________.

WAITER: Right. I'll get it for you now.

 

7. A friend of yours is interested in one of your books. You invite him to borrow it. FRIEND: This book looks very interesting.

 

YOU: Yes, it's very good. ____________________

 

5. We express advice with:

 

Should / ought to – e.g. You should walk more (general advice; I advise you)

had better – e.g. You'd better see your dentist (advice for a specific situation; it is a good idea.)

 

5.1. Fill in should, ought to or had better:

 

Jill: You should ask someone to paint the house this year.

 

Laura: Yes. It's beginning to look a bit dirty. I can't really afford it, though. Do you think I

 

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_____________ try to get a loan?

 

Jill: No, you ______________ not. You might have a problem paying it back.

 

Laura: I _____________ do something about the roof as well. It leaks when it rains hard.

 

Jill: Really? You _____________ take care of it now or the ceiling will fall in!

Laura: Yes, you're right. I ____________ ring someone today and ask them to look at

it.

 

6. We express obligation or necessity with:

 

must (strong obligation or personal feeling of necessity)– e.g. We must follow the school rules (obligation; I'mobliged to); I must see a doctor soon. (I decide it is necessary).

 

have to (external necessity)– e.g. I have to do my homework every day (others decide it is necessary).

I've got to (informal; it's necessary)– e.g. I've got to leave early today.

 

Must is the Present Simple form. It borrows the rest of its tenses from the verb “have to”. To formquestions and negations of have to we use do/does (Present Simple) and did (Past Simple).

 

e.g. He didn't have to do the shopping yesterday.

e.g. You don't have to go to school today.

e.g. Does he have to be at work on time?

 

6.1. Complete these sentences with must or have to (in the correct form):

 

1. It's later than I thought. I must go now.

2. Jack left before the end of the meeting. He had to go home early.

 

3. In Britain many children _______________wear uniform when they go to school.

 

4. When you come to London again, you ____________ come and see us.

5. Last night Don became ill suddenly. We _______________ call a doctor.

6. You really __________ work harder if you want to pass the examination.

7. I'm afraid I can't come tomorrow. I _____________ work late.

8. I'm sorry I couldn't come yesterday. I _____________ work late.

9. Paul doesn't like his new job. Sometimes he _____________ work at weekends.

10. Caroline may _____________ go away next week.

 

11. We couldn't repair the car ourselves. We _____________ take it to a garage.

 

7. We express absence of necessity or prohibition with:

 

mustn't, can't (prohibition)– e.g. You mustn't park here (It's forbidden); You can't enter the club without a card.

 

(You are not allowed).

needn't (it is not necessary)– e.g. You needn't take an umbrella. It isn't raining.

 

don't need/have to (it is not necessary in the present/future)– e.g. You don't need/have to do it now. You cando it later. (It isn't necessary)

 

didn't need/have to (it was not necessary in the past)– e.g. He didn't need/have to go to work yesterdaybecause it was Sunday. (It was not necessary)

 

7.1. Complete these sentences using don't / doesn't / didn't have to + one of these verbs:

 

 

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do, get up, go, pay, shave, wait, go, work

 

 

1. I'm not working tomorrow, so I _________ early.

2. The car park is free – you _________ to park your car there.

3. I went to the bank this morning. There was no queue, so I _________.

 

4. Sally is extremely rich. She _________.

5. We've got plenty of time. We _________ yet.

6. Jack has got a beard, so he _________.

7. I'm not particularly busy. I've got a few things to do but I _________ them now.

8. A man was slightly injured in the accident but he _________ to hospital.

 

7.2. Complete the sentences with must, mustn't or needn't:

 

1. We haven't got much time. We ____________ hurry.

2. We've got plenty of time. We ___________ hurry.

3. We have enough food at home so we _________ go shopping today.

4. Jim gave me a letter to post. I _________ remember to post it.

5. Jim gave me a letter to post. I __________ forget to post it.

 

6. There is plenty of time for you to make up your mind. You ______ decide now.

7. You ________ wash those tomatoes. They've already been washed.

8. This is a valuable book. You _____ look after it carefully and you ____ lose it.

 

9. 'What sort of house do you want to buy? Something big?' ‒ 'Well, it ______ be big ‒ that's not important. But it ______ have a nice garden – that's essential'.

 

7.3. Make sentences, using must not or do not need to:

 

	In rugby football	touch the ball with your hands.
	In tennis	lift your stick above your shoulder.
	In chess	hit your opponent below the belt.
	In boxing	pass the ball forwards.
	In athletics	look at other people's cards.
	In hockey	touch a piece if you aren't going to move it.
	In baseball	start before the gun.
	In football	hit the ball before it bounces.
	In bridge	hit the ball after its second bounce.
		throw the bat.
8. Typical behaviour

 

We can use will to talk about habits and typical behaviour. – e.g. She’ ll sit talking to herself for hours.

 

If we stress will, it can sound critical. – e.g. She will fall in love with the wrong people. Would is used to talk about the past. – e.g. On Saturdays, when I was a child, we would all get up early and go fishing.

 

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8.1. Complete the sentences with will/would + one of the verbs:

 

	be drive	fall	keep	listen	makeplay
		ring	take	talk	tell
1.	'Dad, I've broken my watch.' 'Well, you _____ ________ playing with it.'
2.	On Sundays when we were kids, Mother			_____ _______ us pancakes for
	breakfast.

3. He's no trouble – he _____ ________ by himself for hours.

4. She's nice, but she_____ ________ about people behind their backs.

5. People _____ ________ to you if you listen to them.

6. We lived by a lake, and sometimes Dad ____ _________ us fishing.

7. I'm not surprised you had an accident – you _____ ________ too fast.

 

8. If you drop toast, it ____ butter side down every time.

9. If you're having a bath, the phone ____ ______. And if you answer it, it _____

______ a wrong number.

10. He _____ ____ you one thing one minute and the opposite the next – he's crazy.

 

8.2. Here are some laws of nature. Join the beginnings and the ends:

 

Beginnings	Ends
After you have bought something,	it will.
If anything can go wrong,	somebody will.
If there are two good TV shows,	they will both be on at the same time
If you explain so clearly that nobody can	will always move faster.
misunderstand,	will fall asleep first.
If you throw something away,	you will find it somewhere else
No matter how much you do,	cheaper.
The one who snores	you'll need it the next day.
The other queue	you'll never do enough.

 

Reported speech