Modal Verbs

M. Reig 1st Bachillerato

Modal Verbs
CHARACTERISTICS OF MODAL VERBS
Modal verbs have no s in the third person singular of the present Simple. He can ski. Interrogative and negative forms are made without auxiliaries. Can you swim well? / You shouldnt drink too much alcohol They are always followed by the bare infinitive of other verbs ( to) My brother may come back tomorrow. Modal verbs do not have infinitives or participles, and they do not normally have past forms (although would, could and might can sometimes be used as past tenses of will, can and may). Other expressions are used when necessary. Id like to be able to ski. (not... * to can ski)

Modal Verbs
MEANING MODAL VERB EXAMPLE ABILITY

Can Could be able to Can Could be allowed to Can Could May Might

I can play the violin very well When I was 6, I could play the violin very well In some years I will be able to play the violin Now that Im 16, I can go out at night. When I was 12, I could go out at night. I will be allowed to go out late at night when Im 18. I can pass the exam if I study. It could pass the exam if I studied. It may rain tomorrow. He might come next weekend.

PERMISSION

POSSIBILITY

DEDUCTION

Must
Cant

She must be 20.

She cant be her mum, shes too young.

Modal Verbs
MEANING MODAL VERB Must EXAMPLE You must help my mum at home. (I feel obliged) You have to study hard to pass your exams. You mustnt smoke in the school

OBLIGATION

Have to Mustnt

PROHIBITION

cant
neednt

You cant smoke in the school buildings

You neednt go if you dont want to.

NO NECESSITY

dont have to Should Ought to

You dont have to wear a uniform in this school. You should stop smoking. The doctor told me that I ought to stop smoking.

ADVICE

Modal Verbs
Rewrite these sentences using the correct modal verb: 1. Using mobile phones in the theatre is prohibited. You MUSTNT/CANT use mobile phones in the theatre. 2. Its obligatory for motorists to wear a helmet. Motorists HAVE TO wear a helmet 3. Perhaps hell go to the meeting. He may go to the meeting 4. If you want my advice, take the umbrella! Its going to rain. You SHOULD/OUGHT TO take 5. Its not necessary to retake the exam. Youve got high marks. You DONT HAVE TO/NEEDNT take the exam. 6. Smoking in public places is prohibited. You MUSTNT/CANT smoke in public places

Modal Verbs
7. Its impossible that Robert is abroad because Ive just seen him. Robert CANT be abroad. 8. Maybe hell arrive to the cinema on time. He MAY arrive to the cinema on time. 9. Mary had the ability to ride a horse when she lived in Canada. Mary COULD ride a horse. 10. My advice to you is not to watch so much TV. You SHOULDNT/OUGHT NOT TO watch so much TV. 11. Ive never had the ability to draw. Ive never BEEN ABLE TO draw. 12. We can decide on some of our school rules. We ARE ALLOWED TO decide on some of our schools rules.

Modal Verbs
13. It was obligatory last year for my grandfather to retire. My grandfather HAD TO retire last year. 14. It is certain that this is Michaels coat. This MUST be Michaels coat. 15. Using cameras in the museum is forbidden. You MUSTNt/ CANT use cameras in the museum. 16. It is compulsory to sign the cheques. We HAVE TO sign the cheques. 17. It is not necessary to but more fruit. We DONT HAVE TO/NEEDNT buy more fruit. 18. Taking photos in the museum is prohibited. You CANT/MUSTNT take photos in the museum. 19. I feel obliged to phone Cathy- its her birthday. I MUST phone Cathy.

Modal Verbs
20. There was an obligation to do the exam. We HAD TO do the exam. 21. It isnt necessary for you to take a jacket. You DONT HAVE TO take a jacket. 22. I advise you to see a dentist. You SHOULD/OUGHT TO see a dentist. 23. You arent allowed to talk during the exam. You CANT talk during the exam. 24. Tom knows how to speak Spanish. Tom CAN/IS ABLE TO speak Spanish. 25. He had permission to go to the party. He WAS ALLOWED TO go to the party.

Modal Verbs
26. It isnt possible that that is our plane. That MUST be our plane. 27. It isnt necessary to take a thick coat. We DONT HAVE TO/NEEDNT take a thick coat. 28. I advise you to study harder. You SHOULD/OUGHT TO study harder. 29. He is obliged to go to the police station twice a week. He HAS TO go to the police station twice a week. 30. They are certain that bringing up children is not easy. Bringing up children CANT be easy. 31. It is unnecessary for you to come. You NEEDNT/DONT HAVE TO come.

Modal Verbs
32. I advise him to give up smoking. He SHOULD/OUGHT TO give up smoking. 33. Eating chewing-gum in the class is prohibited. You MUSTNT eat chewing-gum in the class. 34. There was an obligation to turn off the mobile phone. You HAVE TO turn off the mobile phone. 35. I didnt have the ability to cook when I was younger. I COULDNT cook when I was younger. 36. Its obligatory to wear a seat belt in the car. You HAVE TO wear a seat belt in the car. 37. I dont know if I will go to the concert. I MIGHT go to the concert. 38. Perhaps we will not see them at the weekend. We MAY NOT see them at the weekend.

Modal Verbs
39. It is possible that Jake is in his room. Jake CANT be in his room. 40. I am certain you havent seen John because he is on a trip. John MUST be on a trip. 41. Its forbidden to park here. You MUSTNT park here. 42. Its possible that Jane will visit Switzerland next year. Jane MAY visit Switzerland next year. 43. Im thinking about taking Spanish lessons. I MIGHT take Spanish lessons. 44. I'm sure you're not serious. I know you're joking. You MUST be joking.