Modals 22 July 2023

Modals
Ability can (not) I can see smoke in the distance.
Inability could (not) She can't drive. She's not old enough yet.
be able to I could play piano when I was at school.
She will be able to drive when she turns 18.

Possibility can (not) My sister is still young, but she can be quite forgetful.
Impossibility could You can't be serious!
may You could be right about the rain. The sky has turned dark.
might You may be right about the rain. It is the rainy season.
should You might be right about the rain, but it has been sunny today.
It's almost the time of departure. The plane should be taking off now.

Permission can May I go home if I finish early?

Concession could You won't be allowed to go home until you have finished.
may
might

Obligation must I must do my homework because I want to get good grades.

Duty have to I have to do my homework before I can go out to play.
had to

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Modals 22 July 2023

Necessity have to Need he cut his hair?

need to Does he need to cut his hair?
need + V-ing Does his hair need cutting?
need + V-bare

Absence of not have to He does not have to cut his hair.

Obligation or need not + V-bare He need not cut his hair, but he can if he wants.
Necessity need not have + V3 He needn't have cut his hair, but he did anyway.
did not need to + V-bare He did not need to cut his hair, so he did not.

Prohibition must not You must not eat or drink in the library.
may not You must not eat or drink in the library.
be not to The rules say you are not to eat or drink in the library.
cannot You cannot eat or drink in the library.

Logical must It's the entrance exam, so he must be nervous.

assumption must have + V3 It's already 1AM. They must have gone to bed by now.
(positive)

Logical cannot He can't be at home. His house has just burned down.
assumption can't have + V3 You can't have met him. He passed away last week.
(negative)

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Modals 22 July 2023

Advice should You should see a doctor about the headaches.

Suggestions ought (not) to
must

Criticism should have + V3 We should have studied harder, but we didn't.

ought to have + V3 He ought to have studied harder, but he didn't.
could have + V3 You could have studied harder, but you didn't.

Requests can Can you pass me the salt?

Offers will Will you pass me the salt?
would Would you pass me the salt?
shall + I Shall I get the door?

Special dare + V-bare I daren't go home; my mother is angry with me.

modal dare to Only a few newspapers dared to cover the story.

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Modals 22 July 2023

Exercise 1. Read the sentences. Match the modals with the functions.
1. You have to use a lithium battery or the device won't a. ability
work. b. certainty
2. We don't have to take the bottles to a recycling bin; c. possibility
they are collected with our other rubbish. d. advice and suggestions
3. All schools should recycle their waste paper. e. necessity and obligation
4. With more money, charities can save more elephants. f. habit
5. This article says there are over 1,000,000 tigers in the g. refusal
wild, but that can't be right - they're an endangered h. impossibility
species. i. certainty in the future
6. The principal has agreed; he says we may have an j. lack of necessity or obligation
environment day at school! k. inability
7. The woman in the chemistry lab must be the new l. expectation
science teacher. m. prohibition
8. I don't know how I'm going to train this guide dog; he n. permission and requests
just won't obey orders.
9. The firefighters won't be able to put out the forest fire
without water planes.
10. He might need some help, but let's check with him first.
11. Companies mustn't dump their chemical waste in
rivers; it's dangerous and illegal.
12. Miranda will often go walking in the countryside for
hours at a time.
13. You are bound to see Milly if you go to the
demonstration later.
14. Martin finished work hours ago, so he ought to be
home by now.

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Exercise 2. Match the sentences 1 — 5 with an appropriate response a — e.

1. It's cold outside and they're freezing! a. They must have missed it.
2. Their passports are still here. b. They should have brought their coats.
3. She had prepared a fantastic meal for c. They needn't have brought their own
them. lunch.
4. Oh, dear! The children aren't on this train. d. They ought to have taken a map.
5. Mark and Henry are completely lost. e. They can't have gone abroad.

Exercise 3. Choose the correct words.

1. Harry could / might not know about the meeting. Has anyone informed him?
2. You don't have to / mustn't water the plants; I've already done it.
3. Carl loves animals; he should / will always help an animal in need.
4. I wonder if you could / may help me with my project.
5. If you love animals, you might / ought to volunteer at an animal shelter.
6. To keep the park clean, you can / must put your rubbish in the bins provided.
7. I don't know what's wrong with the car; it just can't / won't start.
8. In my opinion, the city council may / should operate recycling centres.
9. She mustn't / can't have forgotten her password again!
10. He could've / must've been a great speaker, but he hated attention.
11. I needn't / can't have bothered to dress up for the occasion as everyone was in jeans.
12. Oh dear, I think we might as well / well have upset someone with that comment!
13. He might could / be able to find some old friends via social media.
14. He oughtn't have / to have shared so much information online.
15. She can't / mustn't have sent the email as there's nothing in my inbox.
16. You haven't to / don't have to reply to every comment.
17. Oughtn't I / Shouldn't I to add you to the group?
18. You mustn't / don't have to delete that email; it's really important.
19. You mustn't / shouldn't have unfriended your sister!
20. They couldn't / might not have lost touch; they're friends on social media!

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Exercise 4. Choose the correct words.

1. He _______ the message. He would be here if he had.
A. can't get B. couldn't get C. can't have got D. can't be getting
2. The car isn't in the drive. Dave _______.
A. must take it B. must have taken it. C. needn't take it. D. has to take it
3. You really _______ late or they'll go without you.
A. won't be B. wouldn't be C. could have been D. mustn't be
4. _______ some more onions, or have we got enough?
A. Should I get B. Would I get C. Would I have got D. Needn't I get
5. It's a very good make. It _______ to last a lifetime.
A. should B. ought C. must D. bound
6. It _______ work, but let's hope it does.
A. couldn't B. mustn't C. might not C. wouldn't
7. The appointment isn't today. It _______ yesterday.
A. must be B. must have been C. would have been D. should be
8. I can't find my glasses. I _______ them on the train.
A. can't leave B. can't have left C. might leave D. might have left
9. They _______ to get in. It's free.
A. don't have to pay B. mustn't pay C. would have paid D. could have paid
10. You _______ into your uniform. Nobody else has.
A. needed to change B. can't have changed
C. needn't have changed D. couldn't have changed
11. He _______ there. It was so much fun!
A. should be B. should have been C. must be D. mustn't be

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Modals 22 July 2023

Exercise 5. Choose the correct words.

PASSAGE 1- GOODBYE, LONESOME GEORGE
In June 2012, many people around the world were saddened when staff at the Galapagos
National Park in Ecuador announced that Lonesome George, a giant tortoise believed to be the last
of his subspecies, had been found dead by his keeper of 40 years. While his exact age was not known,
scientists estimated Lonesome George was about 100. For his subspecies, he was a young adult and
he (1) could / would have lived to the age of 200. His human carers (2) can't / shouldn't have
expected him to die so young, but the loneliness of his existence (3) may / would have led to his
early demise. As the only known member of his subspecies, he (4) might / should have been the
rarest animal in the world. A Hungarian scientist first spotted Lonesome George on the Galapagos
island of Pinta in 1971. This (5) may / must have come as a shock to the scientist since it was
believed at the time that the subspecies was extinct. Tortoises were once plentiful on the Galapagos
islands, but hunting in the late 1800s greatly reduced the population. More care (6) should / would
have been taken with their environment.

PASSAGE 2- THE EXTINCTION OF THE DINOSAURS

There are many theories as to why dinosaurs became extinct. One of the most popular today is
the asteroid theory. This states that the dinosaurs (1) must become /must have become extinct
when a huge asteroid hit Earth. The asteroid (2) would throw / would have thrown enormous
amounts of dust into the air and plunged the world into darkness. Because plants can't grow without
light, the dinosaurs (3) must have starved / can't have starved to death. Another theory
suggests that it was a dramatic increase in volcanic activity 65 million years ago that caused the
mass extinction. Each volcano (4) should have spewed / would have spewed so much magma
and ash into the atmosphere that few animals and plants (5) could have survived / needn't have
survived. Others believe a prolonged ice age (6) might have been / ought to have been the
cause. The dinosaurs (7) wouldn't have been able / must have been able to survive in such
low temperatures. Yet another possibility is that a deadly disease (8) can't have spread / may
have spread amongst the dinosaurs and ended up causing their demise. We will never know for
sure.

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Modals 22 July 2023

Exercise 6. Complete the second sentences so that they have a similar

meaning to the first sentences. Use the words in bold.
1. I'm sure caged animals are miserable; wouldn't you agree? be
Caged animals __________________________________________ miserable; wouldn't you agree?
2. To join the animal society, there is a membership fee to pay. have
You _____________________________ a membership fee before you can join the animal society.
3. It's going to rain today. I can feel it in my bones. bound
We _______________________________________ some rain today. I can feel it in my bones.
4. I've been trying to get online all day, but my Internet connection isn't working. will
I've been trying to get online all day, but my Internet connection __________________________ .
5. I expect the documentary on whales to be of interest to my class. ought
The documentary on whales ___________________________________ for my class.
6. You know, it isn't necessary for us to buy a car; we can get bikes instead. not
You know, we ___________________________________ a car; we can get bikes instead.
7. I'd like permission to leave now please. may
___________________________________ , please?
8. It isn't necessary to lock your doors here. It's very safe. needn't
You ___________________________________ . It's very safe.
9. It isn't possible for Lucinda to be at home. I saw her a moment ago in that cafe. can't
Lucinda ___________________________________ . I saw her a moment ago in that cafe.
10. It would be a good idea if you took the train, Jeremy. could
You ___________________________________ Jeremy.
11. I'm certain that Oscar will be late. He always is. bound
Oscar ___________________________________ . He always is.
12. It isn't necessary to buy tickets in advance. There will be plenty on the day. have to
You ___________________________________ . There will be plenty on the day.
13. If you want to be informed, I suggest you read this publication every week. should
You ___________________________________ every week if you want to be informed.
14. I am sure that your keys are somewhere in the house. must
Your keys ___________________________________ the house.

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Modals 22 July 2023

Exercise 7. Rewrite these sentences using a modal verb to replace the phrase
in bold.
1. In all likelihood, her phone is turned off. ____________________________________________
2. The chances are that the video will go viral. _________________________________________
3. In all probability, the number of people with internet access will keep growing. ___________
4. We have no option but to close the social media account. _____________________________
5. I'm cross because he didn't tell me he would post that photo of me as a baby! ___________
6. Is it really necessary for them to brag about their children on social media? _____________
7. However hard he tried, he couldn't get the hang of small talk. _________________________
8. Although he is sociable, he prefers to spend time with one or two friends. _______________
9. The manager is unable to come to the phone right now. _______________________________
10. Is it all right if I call you back? _____________________________________________________

Exercise 8. Put the verbs in brackets in the correct form.

1. You didn't need to buy that book about the oceans. I _______________ (lend) you my copy.
2. I don't know why Simon isn't here yet, but I suppose he _______________ (miss) the bus.
3. The city centre is no longer covered in graffiti; the city council _______________ (clean) it up.
4. You _______________ (tell) me you were going to be late instead of making me wait so long!
5. Mark _______________ (bring) sunblock because it rained all weekend.
6. They _______________ (eat) all that food; there was so much of it!
7. The hikers _______________ (return) by now; I wonder where they are.
8. There isn't any milk! The children _______________ (finish) it this morning at breakfast.
9. I'm not sure, but I think I _______________ (leave) my gloves on the bus yesterday.
10. Anna was concerned about the kids, but she _______________ (worry) as they were fine.
11. We _______________ (give) you a lift if we'd known you were coming.
12. Seriously, she _______________ (tidy) her room. It's still a terrible mess.
13. I'm exhausted! It's my own fault, though. I _______________ (go) to bed so late last night.
14. A: I have forgotten my password!
B: Surely you _______________ (write) it down somewhere?

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Modals 22 July 2023

15. A: Shall I introduce you to my friends?

B: You _______________ (worry), I can make my own friends!
16. A: Why is Susie so late for the party?
B: She _______________ (get) lost.
17. A: I think she was joking when she said she was leaving.
B: No, she _______________ (joke); she would never joke about something serious.
18. A: I don't feel like going out tonight.
B: Oh you really _______________ (come), I _______________ (go) to the party alone!

Exercise 9. Complete the sentences with a suitable modal verb.

1. Seriously, you _______________ go out and buy a new one. I've got two. You can have one of
mine.
2. Twenty years ago, many girls in this region _______________ read or write.
3. Before computers and video games, kids _______________ spend hours reading or playing
outside.
4. Does it rain much there at this time of the year? Do you think I _______________ pack my
waterproof ?
5. This is a disaster. Something ___________ be done to protect these animals or they will become
extinct.
6. I've done everything you asked me to do. _______________ I go and meet my friends now?
7. You _______________ use your mobile phone in this carriage. It's not allowed.
8. You never know, it _______________ snow, but it is quite unlikely at this time of the year.
9. She _______________ ill – I saw her out jogging yesterday evening!
10. You _______________ have friended her. She's really obnoxious and nosey.
11. You _______________ imagine that trolling is harmful, but in fact its negative effects are far-
reaching.
12. You _______________ open that email – it's got a virus in it.
13. _______________ you to phone your grandma? She doesn't get to speak to many people these
days.
14. You _______________ defriend him – you can just select "Stop seeing posts but stay friends".

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15. THIRD CULTURE KIDS

Living in other cultures (1) _______________ well broaden a person's perspectives, and their children
will, in (2) _______________ likelihood, embrace a blend of cultures. These children can (3)
_______________ called Third Culture Kids (TCKs). A TCK is an individual who, after spending a
significant part of their formative years in a culture other than that of their parents, develops a
relationship to both the first culture from which the parents came, and the second culture, where the
family lives. The expression "third culture" can be used to refer to the cultural mix that these children
experience. The chances (4) _______________ that these children, whose parents could be business
executives, soldiers, sailors or diplomats, will become "culture-blended" people. As such, they don't
(5) _______________ to accept one single culture and will often have an expanded world view and
unique perspective. Try as they (6) ___________ , a TCK cannot change back into a monocultural
person. Parents of TCKs are (7) ___________ to return "home" to their country of origin, but the
children, although enriched by their third culture status, might (8) ___________ always feel a sense
of belonging in one particular country.

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