Modals Teacher: Almallam Boujemaa

I. Modals of Deduction: Past and Present

1. Modals of Deduction: Present
Read the situations below and match each with its function.
 John is a serious and hardworking student, and this is what his teacher, friends and parents say about him.

A. Teacher: John must succeed because he is one of my best students.

B. Friends: John can’t fail. He always gets the highest grades in all subjects.
C. Parents: John can succeed in the baccalaureate exams.
1. Possibility in the present ………… 2. Certainty in the present ……..... 3. Impossibility in the present………..

2. Modals of Deduction: Past

Read the mini dialogues below and match the modals in bold with their function.
A.
Kate: Hello Jane. Have you heard that Sarah was arrested by the police yesterday?
Jane: why?
Kate: They accused her of murder.
Jane: That’s impossible Sarah can’t have done it. She was in France when the crime was committed.
B.
John: Hi! It has been so long since I last talked to James. I visited him last Sunday, but he wasn’t at home.
Ted: He doesn’t usually stay at home on Sundays. He might have gone to the stadium or to the shopping
centre, but I’m not sure.
C.
Karim: Hello! Have you met Ahmed recently? I visited him last Saturday evening, but he wasn’t at home.
Reda: He must have gone to the cinema. He always goes to the cinema on Saturdays in the evening.
1. Possibility in the past ……………2. Certainty in the past ………….. 3. Impossibility in the past……….
 Practice
1. Match the speaker with each of the following statements, and then say which modal verbs are
in the present and which ones are in the past.
a. You must revise your lessons regularly if you want to improve your level.
1. NGO Representative to b. You ought to consider all the offers before you choose one.
citizens
c. You should take part in the development of your city or your village.
d. If you want to be an active citizen, you ought to join an association.
2. Teacher to students.
e. You should have bought cheap pieces of land.

3. Consultant to investor. f. You had to study English seriously during the previous two years.
2. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate modal verb.
1. He ………………………..be French. His French is terrible. ( can’t have been/ can’t be/ must be)
2. The kids are calm today. They have been playing for more than three hours. They …………………..…..……
tired. (must be/ must have been/ had to be)
3. Although Leila was very hungry, she didn’t eat very much. She ……………..………………………..the food.
(may not have like/ could not like/ can’t like)
4. The phone is ringing. It ……………………………….……..Mary. She promised she would call. (must be/ had
to be/ must have been)
5. I don’t know why she got many bad grades. She ……………………………..…..……………lazy studying.
(may be/might be/ might have been)
6. I did not know you needed help. You …………………………..me. (must have/ should have told/ should tell)
7. I am so tired. I need some rest. I think …………………………………….…….a week off to recharge batteries.
( should have taken/ should take/ must have taken)
8. I can’t believe you. Nancy……………………………to Mexico last weekend. I have met her in shopping
centre. (can travel/ can’t have travelled/ can’t travel)
9. She speaks French fluently. She ……………………….lived in France for years. ( can’t have/ must have)
 Modals Teacher: Almallam Boujemaa

Active Voice Passive Voice

Modals in the present You must respect the traffic law. The traffic law must be respected.
(modal+verb infinitive)
Modal in the past You should have done this homework This homework should have been done
Modal+have+ verb past last Monday. last Monday.
participle
 Practice
A. Rewrite the sentences as suggested.
1. You ought to consider all offers before you choose one.
All offers……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. He had to learn English carefully during the previous two years.
English…………………………………………………………………………………….…………………
3. The secretary should have sent this report as soon as she finished.
This report……………………………………………………………………………………..…………….
4. The government may build new high schools in Souk Sebt.
New high schools………………………………………………………………………………..…………..
5. People should not throw rubbish in the street.
Rubbish………………………………………………………………………………………….…………..
6. You will see that doctor soon.
That doctor………………………………………………………………………………………….………
7. The young man might have spoiled the party because he was drunk.
The party……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. We all agree that we must take action.
We all agree that action …………………………………………………………………………………….
9. You ought to make things clear to the boss.
Things ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10. You can find the shoes you are looking for in this shoe-shop.
The shoes you are looking for………………………………………………………………………………
B. Put each of the following sentences into passive voice using the modals and the verbs in
brackets.
1. I’m almost sure she was injured in a car accident. (must/hit)
She ……………………………………………………………………….……………………………….
2. Maybe the house was there 200 years ago. (could/ build)
The house………………………………………………………………..…………………………………….
3. It is impossible that Jane got an invitation to the party. (can’t/invite)
Jane……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. It would have been better to mail the letters by Federal express.( ought to/send)
You ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
C. Rewrite the sentences using the appropriate modal verb.
1. You are not allowed to park here. You………………………………………….……………………………
2. It is advisable to revise your lessons regularly.
You…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. It was possible for Morocco to qualify for the last World Cup.
Morocco……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. The teacher was certain that the students worked hard because they got good grades.
The students…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. I think the weather will improve soon.
The weather …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
6. Jack was able to speak three languages when he was 14 years old.
Jack…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7. You are prohibited from smoking in the classroom.
You ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. Jay is able to write and speak Chinese. Jay …………………………………………………………………...