13 s GRAMMAR a Modal verbs: present and future Ability © Can and be able to Can, like all modal verbs, cannot be used in an infinitive or continuous form, We use be able to in situations where we need these forms. Ti like to be able to swim. Not being able to swim is annoying. Be able 10 s also possible with a future means Will you be able to come back tomorrow? Certainty and uncertainty © Must and can't ‘These words have a meaning ralated to certainty — they are sed ta make deductions This is when we are sure or almost sure about something because it is logical. This usage is especially common with the verb be. You must be tired after your long journey, (Lm sure you are) ‘That can’t be Sue. She’ in Brazil. (I'm sure it’s not possible) ‘These words are also used in other ways: must for obligation (see next section) and cun(’t for ability (see above). © may, might and could ‘These words all express uncertainty or possibility. Could is not used with not in this context. I might go out, I don't know. I could get wet! ‘The meaning for all three words is approximately 50 per cent probability. But if we stress the modal verb strongly in speech the probability is reduced. Tmight see you later if T finish my work, but don't count on it (might is strongly stressed in speech) Should and ought to ‘These words are hoth used for obligation (see next section). But they also have a meaning related to certainty ~ they are used when we expect that something will happen. Emily should be home by now. (I expect that she is) © Be bound to This is used to say that something is certain to happen in the future. You're bound to see Paula if you go there. (I'm sure you will)GRAMMAR 13 MODAL VERBS: PRESENT AND FUTURE Obligation © Must and have to ‘Must is used when the speaker personally feels something is important and have fo is used when the situation makes something necessary. You must start working harder! (I say so) You have to turn left here. (its the law) In niany uses there ts no difference. Sorry, I must leave / have to leave now. (no difference) We must / have to be there by six. (no difference) You have to fill in the form by the end of this week. You must fill in the form by the end of this week. © Musti’t and slow't lave bo ‘Must and have to are very similar in their affirmative forms (see previous paragraph) but they are completely different in their negative forms. ‘Mustn't describes something which is prohibited. Don’t have to describes something which is not necessary. You mustn’t leave now. (Its not allowed. It’s against the rules ) You don’t have to leave now. (It’s not necessary. You have a choice.) © Should and ought to These words have the same meaning, They are used to say what is the best thing to do. ‘They can be used to give an opinion, some advice, or polite instructions. We should do something different for our holidays this vear. I think you should see a doctor. You ought not t0 smoke sf you're pregnant. You should send in your application by July 18th You ought to find this text quite easy. © Had better This phrase gives strong advice about how to stop something going wrong. It can refer ty present or future Ui: L think you'd better leave now. (before it is too late) You'd better not drive. (it might be dangerous) © Is/Are to This is used in formal instructions. Not is stressed. No-one is to leave the room. You are not to leave the room.LANGUAGE PRACTICE FOR FIRST 1 Underline the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence. r soiie atthe door, Tea / saat be the postman. Dont worry, you don't have to / mustn't pay now. I think you had beter / would better take a pullover with you. Jones could / must be president if Smith has to resign. Sorry, I can't stay any longer. I have to / might go. It was 5 oclock an hour ago. Your watch can't / mustn't be right. Ita school rule, all the pupils have fo / must wear a uniform. I suppose that our team must / should win, but Pm not sure. Let’ tell Anna, She could / might not know. In my opinion, the government might / should do something about this 1 Theicd sun Seevauewn u 2 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. 1 I think you should give up smoking immediately HAD 1 think you ..tad. better give.sep 2 Lexpect we will get there by 5.00, there SHOULD Were teal 5.00, if there isnt too much traffic 3. Isit necessary for me to bring my passport? HAVE E Do. my passport? 41a BE The cat .. smoking immediately. 7 * too much traffic. sure tat the cat ts tn the house somewhere. in the house somewhere. 5 An aerial is not required with this radio. HAVE «an aerial with this radio, convenient if you can't drive. Its very inconvenient if drive. 7 Lam sure that John is not the thief. BE John....... sess 8 [am certain that Norman will be late. BOUND Norman, 9 All students should report to the main hall at 9.00. ARE All students. es sesane 10 I thought that you would know better! OUGHT You the thief, late. to the main hall at 9,00. better!GRAMMAR 13 MODAL VERBS: PRESENT AND FUTURE 3 Underline the best word or phrase to complete each sentence. ‘We cantt be lost. It ist allowed / Ldon't believe it. Jane is bound to be late. She always is / She nnust be. Late-comers are to report to the main office. ItS a good idea / Its the rule, You don't have to stay unless its necessary / if you don't want to, ‘Astronauts must feel afraid sometinnes. Theyre supposed to / It’s only natural, You can't come in here. It isnt allowed / I dor't believe it All motorcyclists have to wear crash helmets. It a good idea / Its the rule, ought not to tell Jack. It not a good idea / Irs the rule. We should be there soon. I expert sa / Its absolutely certain. 10. Youtd better leave now. That’ my advice / That's an order! 11 Careful! You could cut yourself. Its possible /I think its necessary. 12 Youllook ill. You should go home. That’ the rule. / Thats my advice. Rewrite each sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using can, could, must, have to or should or their negative forms. 1 Tim sure that Helen fels really lonely Helenanastfteh nally. bend. Youre not allowed to park here, It would be a good idea if Harry took a holiday. Tm sure that Alice isnt over thirty. Do need a different driving licence for a motorbike? ‘What would you advise me eae ‘Mary knows how to stand on her head. You needn't come with me if you don't want to Its possible for anyone to break into this house! ‘The dentist will see you soon. I don't think he'll be long ‘The directions say it’ a big house on the left. 'm sure that’ it. Its not a good idea to exercise without warming up firstLANGUAGE PRACTICE FOR FIRST 5 Choose the best sentence for each picture. 1 a) He should be exhausted! He must be exhausted! 3 a) Tim afraid we have to operate, b) I'm afraid we should operate. 5 a) Thanks, but Ta better not! b) Tdortt have to, thanks, z a) We mustn't pay to go in, b) We don’t have to pay to go in. a) Mind out! You could drop it! b) Mind out! You can drop it! 6 a) We must be here for hours! b) We're bound to be here for hours!GRAMMAR 13 MODAL VERBS: PRESENT AND FUTURE 6 Complete each sentence with might, might not, must, mustn't, can or can‘t. More than one answer may be possible. Don’t stand up in the boat! You ight... fallin the river! Sue says she’s stuck in traffic and she ju. be late. You really. moma Start spending more time on your work. Tell Peter he soso tay the night here if he wants to. ‘That's a really stupid ideal You be serious, surely! You realize it, but this is very important to me. Don't be silly. You... conn Expect me to believe you! ‘We're not sure but we . go to Prague for Christmas this year. Me learn to fly! You .. be joking! Bill cooked the lunch, so you - expect anything special! Pe never played this yaue befuie, Lut it be wo difficult Would you like to borrow this book? It... .. interest you. ‘They always go on holiday to the same place. They... like it there, Don't forget, you send in your application before 1st October. That... be the answer! It doesn't make sense. Key points & 1 Most modal auxiliaries have more than one meaning. You should think carefully about the context, or tone of voice, to understand the meaning. 2 The negative forms mustn't and don't have to have different meanings. ‘You mustn't go. (it’s against the rules) You dant have ta gn (it isn't necessary) 3 Innormal speech should is a weaker obligation than must and have to. You should go to the doctor. (I think it a good idea) You must go to the doctor. (it’s necessary) But in formal speech or writing should can be a way of expressing a strong obligation. Passengers for Guowick Atiporé should change at Reading. lodal verbs: past Consolidation 4: Units 13-16