Modal Verbs USE Formation (Affirmative, Interrogative, Negative)

FORMATION ( AFFIRMATIVE,
MODAL USE INTERROGATIVE, NEGATIVE)

VERBS
possibility, ability and permission in I can speak many languages.
CAN the present or future. Can I go to the party?
neg. - logical impossibility She can’t be at home, I saw her 10 minutes
ago.
ability, possibility and permission in He could swim when he was only four.
COULD the past or in polite requests Could you help me, please?
I couldn’t understand him.
ability and opportunity in the past, I am able to get all the work done.
BE ABLE TO present or future (specific occasion) Were you able to stop the car in time?
They won’t be able to stop it.
possible and probable actions in the You may telephone from here.
MAY future; permissions and possible May I take a photo?
conditions He may not go to the party. He’s sick.
possible actions in the future or I might be working late tomorrow.

MIGHT improbable events or situations. He might not be at home.
What might happen?
obligation, necessity, deduction; in You must take your medication regularly.

MUST the negative form - prohibition My glasses must be here somewhere.
He mustn’t tell anyone what I said.
obligation I have to work on Sundays.

HAVE TO Do you have to get your passport?
She doesn’t have to go to the dentist.
facts in the future, predictions, I’ll wait for you if you like.
WILL invitations, characteristic behaviour Will you have a cup of tea?
She’s on diet. She won’t eat at all.
WOULD past prediction, prediction about a How about a cup of tea? That would be
possible situation; politeness; past nice.
of “will” Would you go without me?
I wouldn’t go without you.
offers, suggestions Shall I close the window?
SHALL Shall we dance?
advice; past form of “shall”; logical You should accept the job.
SHOULD consequence Should we tell him the news?
She shouldn’t be so shy.
saying what is the right thing to do She ought to be working.

OUGHT TO You oughtn’t to forget your obligations.
A) Complete the sentences with appropriate modal verbs.
1. ____________ you ____________ to get up early?

2. They’re having a baby. They ____________ have to buy a bigger house.
3. I’m sorry I ____________ help you with your homework.
4. ____________ we go out tonight?
5. Why don’t you apply for that job? You ____________ get it.
6. I think we ____________ do something to stop pollution.
7. ____________ I borrow this book?
8. My wife is waiting for me. I ____________ not be late.
B) Write a second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first. Use
the words in brackets.
1. Perhaps Mary is doing overtime. (may)

______________________________________________________________________
__
2. I managed to go to university. (able)
______________________________________________________________________
__
3. They should think very well before acting. (ought)
______________________________________________________________________
__
4. It’s forbidden to smoke here. (mustn’t)
______________________________________________________________________
__
5. It’s impossible for you to see it at this distance. (can’t)
______________________________________________________________________
__
6. It is possible that Anne did not see the message. (might)
______________________________________________________________________
__
7. I advise you to study more in order to pass the exam. ( should)
______________________________________________________________________
__
8. She was able to play the piano when she was only four. (could)
9. ______________________________________________________________________
__
C) Complete the conversation between Sarah and her mother.
Sarah: Mon, (1) ____________ I go to the cinema with Susan?

Mother: No, you (2) ____________. You (3) ____________ study for
tomorrow’s test. You (4) ____________ be more responsible.
Sarah: But, mom, you (5) ____________ at least let me rent a movie to
see later on with Susan?
Mother: OK, you (6) ____________ do that. But you (7) ____________
start studying right now. You (8) ____________ improve your marks.
Susan: I (9) ____________ like to, but I don’t know if I (10) ____________.
Answer key
A)
1. Do… have;
2. will;
3. can’t;
4. Shall;
5. might;
6. should;
7. Can;
8. must
B)
1. Mary may be doing overtime.

2. I was able to go to university.
3. They ought to think very well before acting.
4. You mustn’t smoke here.
5. You can’t see it at this distance.
6. Anne might not have seen the message.
7. You should study more to pass the exam.
8. She could play the piano when she was only four.
C)
1. can / may
2. can’t / may not
3. have to
4. should
5. could
6. can / may
7. have to
8. have to
9. would
10.can

Modal Verbs USE Formation (Affirmative, Interrogative, Negative)

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FORMATION ( AFFIRMATIVE,

MODAL USE INTERROGATIVE, NEGATIVE)

possible actions in the future or I might be working late tomorrow.

obligation, necessity, deduction; in You must take your medication regularly.

obligation I have to work on Sundays.

saying what is the right thing to do She ought to be working.

1. you to get up early?

1. Perhaps Mary is doing overtime. (may)

C) Complete the conversation between Sarah and her mother.

Sarah: Mon, (1) ____________ I go to the cinema with Susan?

1. Mary may be doing overtime.

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