MODAL VERBS11º Ano

Ano letivo 2011/2012

1. Modal verbs are auxiliaries used to express some particular intention or meaning. The following verbs are

modals: could, may, might, will, would, shall, must, ought.

a) They have no infinitive or participle forms:

Must, can, shall, etc

b) They take no s in the 3rd person singular:

She should study more.

c) They form the negative and interrogative forms without do:

Can I give you a lift?

d) They are followed by an infinitive without to:

You must buy a new coat

You ought to accept the present.

2. They express:

Ability Permission Deduction Intention Prohibition Request

can can must will can’t can

could could can’t mustn’t could

may

might

Make offers Possibility Probability Suggestion Obligation Advice

shall (I) could might shall (we) should/ should

can (I) may ought ought

will must

PRACTICE:

A. Fill in the gaps with can, can’t, must, mustn’t, have to or needn’t/don’t have to.

1. You ________ park the car in this area. 2. You ________ fasten your seat-belt.

3. My mother will ________ work till late. 4. My father ________ play tennis very well.

5. Tomorrow is Saturday, so we ________ go to school. 6. You ________ buy me a present.

7. Do you ________ call your parents? 8. ________ I go camping with you this weekend?

9. Peter ________ swim but his little sister,________ 10.You ________ go by taxi. I’ll give you a lift.

B. Match the functions with the modal verbs in the sentences below:

1. suggestion a. The weather forecast says it may rain today. 10

2. request b. Can I open the window, Jane? .

3. ability c. Shall we go to the concert?. .

4. prohibition d. No, you mustn’t run in the corridors. .

5. seeking permission e. You should care more about your health, Tom. .

6. possibility f. Mum might give us some money for the party. .

7. duty g. John can speak French quite well.

8. obligation h. You must deliver your homework by tomorrow. .

9. advice i. Parents should play with their children. .

10. probability j. Will you help me with the homework? .

C. Choose the right modal verb to fit in the sentence.

1- Oh dear! I __________ understand his handwriting.

a. can; b. can’t; c. may; d. should

2- I’m sorry but you __________ speak loud in the library.

a. mustn’t; b. shall; c. can; d. may

3- I __________ play football today. I twisted my ankle in the gym class.

a. will; b. shouldn’t; c. can’t; d. mightn’t

4- __________ you pass me the sugar, please?

a. Shall; b. Should; c. Will; d. Can’t

5- John __________ be very proud of his marks. He had five A’s.

a. can’t; b. must; c. shall; d. may

6- When I was a child I __________ run for hours without a break.

a. should; b. could; c. can’t; d. might

D. Rephrase the following sentences using modal verbs. Refer to the italicised expressions and make all

necessary changes

1. You had better reserve a table at the restaurant.

You should reserve a table at the restaurant.

2. Why don’t we go to the cinema tonight?

_________________________________________________________

3. When she won the lottery she was able at last to buy her dream house.

__________________________________________________________

4. You aren’t allowed to smoke here.

__________________________________________________________

5. It is likely that she is on holiday

__________________________________________________________

6. Ann has no ability to play any musical instruments.

__________________________________________________________

7. Everybody is obliged to behave well in class.

__________________________________________________________

8. It is likely that the weather will change in the afternoon.

__________________________________________________________

Good work!