MODULE 7 – MODAL VERBS WITH MUST, HAVE TO, NEEDN’T,

CAN’T, CAN, COULD, SHOULD, OUGHT TO, WOULD

PRESENTATION

1. Form
The models below can be used to express obligation. They are followed by the bare
infinitive.
Obligation No Prohibition Ability and Offers and
Advice
obligation Possibility requests
must needn’t/ mustn’t, can Can Should
have to don’t have can’t, could Could ought to
have got to to/ not (be) would
need to haven’t got allowed to
to/
don’t need
to/

2. Usage
- We use must, have to, and have got to to say that something is obligatory.
Ex: All candidates must answer 5 questions.
The staff have to/ have got to be present at the company at 7a.m.
We need to have the figures before the second quarter.
- We use needn’t, don’t have to, and haven’t got to if something isn’t necessary.
Ex: Today is Friday, the employees needn’t wear uniforms.
If you buy them now, you don’t need to pay anything until next year.
If your income is very small, you don’t have to/ haven’t got to pay tax.
- We use mustn’t, can’t, and not allowed to to say that something is forbidden.
Ex: Cars mustn’t park in front of the entrance of the company.
I’m sorry but you can’t/ aren’t allowed to smoke in here.
- We use can and could to talk about both ability and possibility.
Ex: She can deal with customers very well. (ability)
When he was 18, he could run the company. (past ability)
 Your computer can be customized according to your needs. (possibility)
We could launch a new product on the market this year. We haven’t decided yet.
(possibility)
- We use can, could and would to make offers and requests
Ex: Can I make a phone call? (request)
Could you tell me how to advertise this product? (request)
Would you make a copy of this document? (request)
I can take you to the airport if you need. (offer)
Could I help you? (offer)
Would you like a cup of tea? (offer)
- We use should and ought to to give advice.
Ex: You should/ ought to keep an account of all your expenses.

PRACTICE TEST 7

Choose the option (A, B, C or D) that best completes each sentence.

1. I don’t have enough money to buy the product. _____ you lend me a couple of dollars?
A. Should B. Could C. May D. Should
2. It’s the law. We _____ check the package before receiving it.
A. should B. may C. could D. have to
3. Last Saturday John _____ go to the company to deal with customer complaint.
A. had to B. must C. need D. should
4. You _____ write the report. I’ve already written it.
A. needn’t B. mustn’t C. wouldn’t D. shan’t
5. I’m sorry but you _____ use the computer until after I’ve finished my report.
A. needn’t B. don’t C. can’t D. wouldn’t
6. Nobody’s answering the phone. They _____ be out.
A. should B. would C. ought to D. must
7. The instructions were very difficult to follow. They _____ explain a lot of things.
A. could B. had to C. would D. might
8. When they worked for the firm, they _____ do a lot of things.
 A. should B. must C. could D. may
9. You _____ bring sandwiches. We can stop at a café.
A. can’t B. don’t have to C. mustn’t D. wouldn’t
10. She _____ steal things from shops. She’s rich and famous.
A. shan’t B. not need to C. can’t D. may not
11. My secretary _____ set you up with an appointment. Just go down the hall to your right.
A. should B. can C. may D. ought to
12. The weather forecast for tomorrow is rain, so I think we _____ postpone the company
picnic.
A. can B. might C. would D. should
13. You _____ finish your work on this project before you go on holiday. If not, you _____
lose your job.
A. have to/ will B. must/ would
C. have to/ should D. must/ should
14. I’ve found some milk in the refrigerator, so you _____ go to the store to buy it.
A. mustn’t B. don’t have to C. can’t D. wouldn’t
15. Alice _____ work on her report right now. She has very little time left because it’s due at
3:00 this afternoon.
A. might B. could C. would D. should
16. If you want, we _____ book you on an earlier flight.
A. can B. should C. may D. ought to
17. _____ you hand me the product on the shelf, please?
A. Should B. Could C. Must D. Should
18. I _____ buy that mobile phone for the secretary because I didn’t take any money with
me.
A. couldn’t B. mustn’t
C. shouldn’t D. didn’t have to
19. We hope that all of you _____ attend and celebrate with us.
A. should B. might C. must D. can
20. You look thirsty. _____ you like some water before you continue the work?
A. Would B. Could C. Would D. Should
21. We _____ be late for this project. We’ve still got a little time left to finish it.
A. shouldn’t B. mustn’t C. needn’t D. can’t
22. You _____ go to the bank for money. You _____ use the cash machine at the
supermarket.
A. needn’t/ can’t B. need to/ can
C. need / can’t D. needn’t/ can
23. I work flexitime, so I _____ be in the office from 9.00 to 5.00.
A. don’t have to B. mustn’t C. shan’t D. mightn’t
24. My plane leaves in half an hour, so I _____ go now. Bye!
A. can B. may C. must D. could
25. Next time you give a presentation, you _____ move around so much. Try to stand still.
A. mustn’t B. needn’t C. can’t D. may not
26. When Mr. John is away on business, you _____ look after his customers.
A. have to B. would
C. needn’t D. don’t have to
27. Don’t worry! I _____ take them to the airport this afternoon.
A. may B. ought to C. can D. should
28. _____ I speak to your manager right now? There’s a very important problem.
A. Must B. Should C. Would D. Could
29. Since your manager is going on holiday, _____ you like to go out for coffee with me
right now?
A. would B. could C. should D. might
30. Sorry, but we _____ give you a special discount.
A. shouldn’t B. wouldn’t C. needn’t D. can’t
31. _____ you give me a ring tomorrow morning?
A. May B. Could C. Should D. Might
32. Yesterday the clerks _____ work long after five to deal with the orders.
A. must B. should C. had to D. ought to
33. I’m calling from the airport. _____ I speak to Mr. Smith, please?
A. Should B. Will C. Would D. Can
34. If you don’t want to get the sack, you _____ be late for work very often.
 A. can’t B. shouldn’t C. won’t D. mightn’t
35. Tell Bill the meeting is very important. It starts at 7.30 and he _____ be late.
A. wouldn’t B. mightn’t C. needn’t D. mustn’t
36. _____ you tell me the way to a mall near here, please?
A. Can B. Should C. Would D. May
37. Alice, you _____ check these invoices carefully before you leave.
A. will B. may C. must D. would
38. There will be a lot of seats, so you _____ book one in advance.
A. don’t have to B. can’t
C. won’t D. ought not to
39. _____ I borrow your money? The bank is closed.
A. Should B. Can C. Would D. May
40. By the way, you _____ worry about that invoice. Mary paid it last week.
A. can’t B. mustn’t C. needn’t D. couldn’t
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