Seminar 5 – Modal Verbs

Can, could, be able to: 1, 2, 3

Could (do), could have (done): 4, 5
Other ways of expressing ability: 6
Must and can’t: 7, 8
Must/have to: 9
May and might: 10, 11
Will, would, shall: *12, *13

1. Complete the sentences using can or be able to. The first one is
an example:

1. George has travelled a lot. He can speak four languages.

2. I … sleep very well recently.
3. Sue… drive but she hasn’t got a car.
4. I can’t understand Martin. I… never understand him.
5. I used to… stand on my head but I can’t do it now.
6. I can’t see you on Friday but I… meet you on Saturday morning.
7. Ask Jane about your problem. She might … help you.

2. Complete the sentences using could, couldn’t or was/ were able

to. The first one is an example:

1. My father was a man of many talents. He could compose music,

recite poems and draw.
2. I looked everywhere for the dictionary but I … find it.
3. They didn’t want to come with us at first but we … persuade them.
4. Laura had hurt her leg and … walk very well.
5. Mom wasn’t at home when I phoned her but I … contact her at her
office.
6. I looked carefully and I … see a figure in the distance.
7. I wanted to buy some tomatoes. The first shop I went to didn’t have
any but I … get some in the next shop.
8. My mother loved music. She … play the piano so well.
9. A girl fell into the river but fortunately we … rescue her.
10. I had forgotten to bring my camera so I … take any photograph.

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3. Read the text and complete the spaces with can, could or the
correct form of be able to. There may be more than one
possibility. You may need to make the verb negative. The first one
has been done as an example:

John Harrison has been a keen photographer for as long as he (1)

can remember. Even as a child. John (2) … take photos which were
admired by professionals. He uses telephoto lenses so that he (3) …
take photos of animals from a great distance. He is a very patient man.
‘I (4) … wait days for a good photograph if I thought it was worth it,
he says.’ ‘Once I was climbing a mountain to take a photo of an eagle
when I fell and (5) … move for over two hours. Fortunately, I (6) …
call for help as I had my mobile phone with me.’ John wants to buy
more equipment so that he will (7) … take even better photographs. ‘I
might (8) … get some photos accepted by a top magazine if I’m
lucky,’ he says.

4. Put in can or could. Sometimes either word is possible. The first

sentence is an example:

1. ‘The phone is ringing. Who do you think it is?’ ‘It could be Tim.’
2. I’m really hungry. I … eat a horse!
3. If you want to eat out, we …go to a restaurant tonight.
4. It’s so nice here. I …stay here all day but unfortunately I have to
go.
5. ‘I can’t find my bag. Have you seen it?’ ‘No, but it … be in the
car.’
6. Peter is a keen musician. He plays the flute and he … also play the
piano.
7. ‘What shall we do?’ ‘There’s a film on TV. We … watch that.’
8. The weather is nice now but it … change later.

5. Complete the sentences. Use could or could have + a suitable

verb. The first sentence is an example:

1. A: What shall we do this evening

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 B: I don’t mind. We could go to the theatre.
2. A: I had a boring evening at home yesterday.
B: Why did you stay at home? You … to the cinema with us.
3. A: There’s an interesting job advertised in the paper. You … for it.
B: What sort of job is it? Show me the ad.
4. A: Did you go to the concert last night?
B: No. We … but we decided not to.
5. A: Where shall we meet tomorrow?
B: Well, I … to your house if you like.

6. Other ways of expressing ability. Complete each sentence using

the verb in brackets and an appropriate verb from the list. Make
any changes necessary:

win ride use beat climb play light speak

Example: I’d love to cycle around Europe but I don’t know how to
ride a bike. (not know)

1. Although it was very windy on the beach, we … a fire.(manage)

2. Although his opponent was a better chess player, John … him in
the first game. (succeed)
3. Can I come with you to Berlin? It’ll be useful because I …
German. (know)
4. Jason is an inexperienced mountaineer; I don’t think he … the
South Face next month. (manage)
5. Diana was an excellent dancer and … all the prizes at the
competition. (succeed)
6. Jane had a bad cold, but she still … the violin beautifully on Friday
evening. (manage)
7. I wanted to take some photos yesterday, but I … my brother’s new
digital camera. (not know)

7. Put in must or can’t. The first sentence is an example:

1. You’ve been travelling all day. You must be very tired.

2. That restaurant … be very good. It’s always full of people.
3. That restaurant … be very good. It’s always empty.

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4. You’re going on holiday next week. You … be looking forward to
it.
5. It rained every day during their holiday, so they … have had a very
nice time.
6. Congratulations on passing your exam. You … be very pleased.
7. You got here so quickly. You … have walked very fast.
8. Bill and Sue go away on holiday very often, so they … be short of
money.

8. Fill in the sentences with must or can’t. The first one is an

example:

1. Your house is very near the motorway. It must be very noisy.

2. You’ve just had lunch. You … be hungry already.
3. They haven’t lived here for very long. They … know many people.
4. They have lived here for very long. They … know many people.
5. Susan does the same thing every day. She … be very bored in her
job.
6. ‘Jim is a hard worker.’ ‘Jim? A hard worker? You … be joking.
He’s very lazy.’
7. Ted isn’t at work today. He … be ill.
8. Look! Jack is putting on his hat and coat. He … be going out.
9. Ann is in a difficult situation. It … be easy for her.
10. There’s a man walking behind us. He has been walking behind us
for the last 20 minutes. He … be following us.

9. Fill each of the gaps with must or a form of have to followed by

a suitable verb:

Example: I really dislike having to go shopping at the weekend.

1. Just recently I … down on my spending.

2. You really … me to your wife.
3. We … through the window because I had left my key inside.
4. One day everyone … at the age of fifty whether they like it or not.
5. This exercise is so difficult one … be a genius in order to do it.
6. I didn’t take the job because I … fifty hours a week.
7. Come on, you … me drive you home.

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8. You … at your desk at nine sharp or else part of your salary … .
9. You … for twenty-six weeks in the previous year to qualify for
unemployment benefit.
10.I find I … longer and longer on my homework at the moment just
to keep up.

10. Write sentences with may or might. The first one is an

example:

1. Where are you going for your holidays? (to Ireland?)

I haven’t decided yet. I may go to Ireland.
2. What sort of car are you going to buy? (a Logan?)
I’m not sure yet. I … .
3. What are you doing this weekend? (go to the countryside?)
I haven’t decided yet. … .
4. Where are you going to hang that picture? (in the living room?)
I haven’t made up my mind yet. … .
5. When is Ian coming to see us? (on Sunday?)
I don’t know yet. … .
6. What is Jane going to do when she leaves school? (go to
university?)
She hasn’t decided yet … .

11. Complete the sentences using may/might + one of these verbs.

The first one is an example.

bite break need rain slip wake

1. Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It might rain later.
2. Don’t make too much noise. You …the baby.
3. Be careful of that dog. It … you.
4. I don’t think we should throw that letter away. We … it later.
5. Be careful. The footpath is very icy. You … .
6. I don’t want the children to play in this room. They … something.

*12. Complete the sentences with will, won’t, would, wouldn’t or

shall and the correct form of the words in brackets:

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Example: The new play on Broadway is really good, but I don’t like
Sean Penn in it.
Kevin Bacon would be much better.

1. We had to hurry to get him to the hospital. We knew it … (be) too

late otherwise.
2. ‘I wonder where Dad is.’ ‘He ... (drive) to the airport, I should
think.’
3. ‘Oh dear. The lecture starts at nine o’clock. I’m late!’ ‘Don’t worry.
This lecturer’s always late. He … (not/start) yet.’
4. At this point in the season, the parents ... (eat) their young rather
than allow a predator to attack them.
5. The doctor ... (act) as witness to your signature. She doesn’t mind
doing that sort of things.
6. The PA ... (not/book) my flights. She says it isn’t in her job
description.
7. Dad ... (always/help) us out financially when we were at university,
however difficult it was for him.
8. The police interrogated the terrorist for more than four hours, but
she ... (not/reveal) the names of her co-conspirators.
9. You look tired. ... (I/make) supper this evening?
10. What ... (we/do) with Tom if he doesn’t get into university?
11. ... (you/be) so kind as to help me across the road, young man?
12. We ... (like) everyone in this room to feel comfortable with the
proposal.

*13. Circle the best explanation (a or b) for each sentence.

Example: It would be so nice to live by the sea.

a. The speaker lives by the sea.
b. The speaker doesn’t live by the sea.

1. If anyone rings in the next few minutes. I’ll be in the storeroom.

a. I’m in the storeroom now.
b. I’m going to the storeroom.
2. Ralph isn’t here right now. I’m afraid. He’ll be at the office.
a. He is at the office now.
b. He’s on his way to the office.
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3. I’ve tried it again and again but the computer just won’t accept my
disc. I don’t understand it.
a. I’m annoyed with the computer.
b. I am not concerned about the computer.

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4. It’s a relief that Annie’s changed class. She would argue with
everything I said.
a. I didn’t mind the arguments.
b. The arguments annoyed me.
5. The secretary shall minute the proceedings of each meeting.
a. The secretary is offering to do it.
b. The secretary is instructed to do it.
6. ‘It looks as though the fuel crisis is over.’ ‘I wouldn’t be too sure.’
a. The second speaker agrees.
b. The second speaker doesn’t agree.
7. It would be so nice to have a little cottage in the country.
a. The speaker doesn’t have a cottage.
b. The speaker has a cottage.
8. I would have liked to meet the professor while he was here.
a. The speaker met the professor.
b. The speaker didn’t meet the professor.