Modals

A Complete the sentences with can, can’t, could or couldn’t.

could run (run) 12 kilometres.

1 When he was young, my grandfather ......................
2 John can’t run very fast but he ...................... (jump) high.
3 ...................... you ...................... (finish) your homework last week?
4 The dog hurt its leg and it ...................... (walk).
5 ...................... Tony ...................... (find) his way to the party tonight?
6 Sorry I ...................... (not help) you paint your house yesterday.

B Write sentences using the words below and must or mustn’t.

1 ride / your bike / on the grass 4 drive fast / near the school
You mustn’t ride your
.............................................. ..............................................
bike on the grass.
.............................................. ..............................................

2 take / your medicine / now .. 5 drink / a lot of water / in the summer

.............................................. ..............................................
.............................................. ..............................................

3 put / your feet / on the desk 6 bring / animals / into the shop
.............................................. ..............................................
.............................................. ..............................................

C Write sentences with should or shouldn’t.

1 It’s late. (go home now)

You should go home now.
...................................................................................................................
2 These sports shoes are expensive. (buy them)
...................................................................................................................
3 You didn’t practise for the event. (take part in the competition)
...................................................................................................................
4 Tim doesn’t like his job. (get another job)
...................................................................................................................
5 Sally is not well. (go to school today)
...................................................................................................................
6 It’s snowing. (wear a coat and boots)
...................................................................................................................

ESO 2 Photocopiable © B Burlington Books

M002 MODAL VERBS

Fill in the blanks with a modal form from the box !

CAN – CAN’T - COULD – COULDN’T - DIDN’T NEED TO - MUST –

MUSTN’T - NEEDN‘T

1. You’ve got plenty of time. You __________________ hurry.

2. There’s a knock at the door. I’m expecting Paul . It __________________ be him.
3. I can’t get my phone to work. It __________________ be out of order
4. __________________ I ask you a question ?
5. That was excellent work. But I __________________ do it without you.
6. She __________________ be 35. She looks older than that.
7. I __________________ go to work on Saturdays. It’s my day off.
8. Tom has given me a letter to post. I __________________ forget to post it.
9. Ann stayed in bed this morning because she __________________ go to work.
10. He __________________ play chess when he was young.
11. You __________________ drive a car when you’re 18.
12. Jack spends the whole day just walking around. He __________________ have a job.
13. When I was in school I __________________ do a hand stand, but now I’m too old. I
__________________ do one any more.
14. My mother keeps telling me that we __________________ wash our hands before we sit
down at the dinner table.
15. You __________________ forget to turn off the lights when you go to bed.
16. When I was a child I __________________ understand adults, now that I’m an adult I
__________________ understand children.
17. Sally looks sad and worried . She __________________ have a problem with something.
18. __________________ I see your passport please.
19. He’ sees very badly, so he __________________ wear glasses all the time.
20. I __________________ take a taxi because the bus was on time.
21. He owns a very expensive house. He __________________ be a rich person.
22. I __________________ swim well when I was a child. I even won the school
championships.
23. You __________________ go to the grocery store. We have some milk in the fridge.
24. I __________________ find my keys. I probably left them at my mother’s place.
25. You __________________ buy the tickets. I got two for free from dad.
26. She __________________ speak so rudely to her parents.
27. The teacher always tells us we __________________ cheat during a test.
28. I __________________ stop laughing. The joke was so funny.
29. I __________________ look at you. You’re so dirty. What were you up to ?
30. __________________ you turn down the volume ? – It’s too loud.

english-grammar.at
M006 MODAL VERBS

Fill in the blanks using MUST, MUSTN’T, DON’T HAVE TO, SHOULD, SHOULDN’T, MIGHT, CAN,
CAN’T !

1. Rose and Ted _________________ be good players. They have won hundreds of cups !
2. You _________________ pay to use the library. It’s free.
3. I’m not sure where my wife is at the moment. She _________________ be at her dance
class.
4. Jerry _________________ be working today. He never works on Sundays.
5. You _________________ be 18 to see that film.
6. You _________________ hear this story. It’s very funny.
7. Dad _________________ go and see a doctor. His cough is getting worse all the time.
8. You don’t have to shout. I _________________ hear you very well.
9. It _________________ be him. I saw him a week ago, and he didn’t look like that.
10. You look pretty tired. I think you _________________ go to bed early tonight.
11. Let me look. I _________________ be able to help you.
12. “Children, you _________________ cross the street if the lights are red !”
13. You _________________ sit so near the TV. It’s bad for your eyes.
14. I’m sorry but I _________________ give you a lift because my car is broken.
15. I _________________ stop and talk to you now. I have to get to the library.
16. You really _________________ go to the Louvre if you’re in Paris. It’s wonderful.
17. You _________________ come to the party if you don’t feel well.
18. I don’t know where Kelly is. She _________________ be at her sister’s .
19. You have passed all your tests. You _________________ be very pleased with yourself.
20. You _________________ smoke in your car, especially if there are children sitting in the
back.
21. You _________________ work this evening. I can do the tasks for you.
22. John doesn’t need a calculator. He _________________ do sums in his head.
23. Passengers _________________ open the door when the train is moving.
24. It _________________ rain today. It’s getting cloudy already.
25. I _________________ pay for the tickets because I got them from Sam for free.

english-grammar.at
 Modal Verbs

can können
could könnte, konnte
will werden
would würde, wurde
shall sollen
should sollte, müsste
may dürfen
might dürfte, durfte
must müssen
mustn`t nicht dürfen
have to müssen
don’t have to nicht müssen
need to müssen, brauchen
don’t need to nicht müssen, nicht brauchen

Ability (Fähigkeit) can

I can speak Chinese.
He can cook.
They can play tennis.

Ability someone had in the past (Fähigkeit, die jemand in der Vergangenheit hatte) could
I could speak Chinese when I was a child.
He could bake cakes before he got allergic to flour.
They could play tennis when they were younger.

Habit someone had in the past (Angewohnheit, die jemand in der Vergangenheit hatte) would
I would do my homework 5 minutes before the lessons started.
He would send her flowers every Sunday before they got married.
They would play tennis every Wednesday when they were younger.

Permission (Erlaubnis) can, may

Can I go to the party? – Yes, you can.
You may leave your shoes on in this temple.

Lack of permission (Fehlen der Erlaubnis) cannot, may not, mustn’t

You mustn’t smoke here.
They cannot bring their own food and drink to the restaurant.
Her father said that she may not meet the rock star.

Obligation (Pflicht, Zwang, Notwendigkeit) must, have to, need to

You have to drive on the left in Great Britain.
They must wash their hands before dinner.
She needs to clean her flat before the party.

Lack of obligation (Fehlen der Pflicht, des Zwanges, der Notwendigkeit) don’t have to, don’t need to
You don’t have to drive on the left in the USA.
They don’t need to wash their hands after dinner.
She doesn’t need to clean her flat every day.

Advice (Ratschlag) should

With that high temperature, you should go and see a doctor.
Suggestion (schwächerer Ratschlag, Vorschlag) could
I don’t think it is anything serious, but you could go and see a doctor about it to be sure.

Possibility (Möglichkeit) could, might

Oh no, that was the last bus. – Well, we could take a taxi instead.
Watch out! You might fall off the ladder.

High probability based on strong evidence (große Wahrscheinlichkeit basierend auf starken Beweisen) should
The film should start any minute according to the TV programme.
The mobile phone should work properly again, now that I uploaded the bug fix.

Modal verbs - Exercises

I. Fill in the correct modal verb (according to the meaning of the sentence).

a) He _____________________________________________ speak five languages. (ability)

b) You ________________________________ smoke in the restaurant. (lack of permission)
c) With such a high temperature you ___________________________ stay in bed. (advice)
d) You ______________________________________ stop at a red traffic light. (obligation)
e) The clouds are pretty black. I think it ____________________________ rain. (possibility)

II. Write the meaning of the following sentences next to them.

past habit – past ability – lack of obligation – permission – advice

a) I have already cleaned the room. You don’t need to do that. _______________________
b) Are you blind? You should get your eyes tested. _________________________________
c) Jane could sing well, when she was younger. ____________________________________
d) 10 years ago Kay would mow the lawn for his old neighbour. _______________________
e) You can only smoke in designated areas. _______________________________________
 VERBS (2)

Modal Verbs (03)

Modal Verbs: in context

2 min

What are modal verbs?

She can swim. He should go to the doctor.

Modal verbs are a small group of verbs, which are very different from normal
verbs.
Common Modal Verbs and their Particularities
28 min

Which verbs are common modal verbs?

Can, could, may, might, should, must, shall, will, would

How are modal verbs different from other verbs?

- They do not take “s” in the third person: he can, she must, it could
- They use “not” in the negative form: they may not, we should not
- They cannot be used in the past or in the future tenses
- There is no “to” after them: I can do, you must see

Which modal verb do we use and when?

Modal Verb Use Example

Capacity I can drive.
Can
Permission/request Can I use your phone please?
Capacity in the past (past of „can‟) I could not see him.

Polite permission/request Could I use your phone please?

Could
Suggestion We could go to the new restaurant.
Possibility, low probability or one It could rain today.
possibility of many She could be at home.
Polite permission/request May I use your phone please?
May Possibility, more probable than It may rain today.
„could‟ She may be at home.
It might rain today.
Might Same as „may‟
She might be at home.
Advice He should go to the doctor.
Should
Rational probability He should be fine.
Obligation, necessity You must go to school.
Must
Very high probability She must be at home.
 The defendant shall pay a fine of
Obligation in legal documents
$200.
Shall Suggestions Shall we begin?
Future tense, rare, British Thou shall not kill.
A voluntary action I will make dinner.
Will A promise I will call you at 4 pm.
A prediction The summer will be very hot.

Conditional If I had time, I would travel more.

Past of „will‟ He said he would come.
Would
When I lived in Paris, I would
Repetition in the past
always go to the Champs Elysees.

Some of these common modal verbs have synonyms we often use.

Examples:
must = have to, need to
shemust leave = she has to live = she needs to leave
should = ought to
heshould speak to his boss = he ought to speak to his boss

When we speak, we use contractions with some of the modal verbs in the negative
form.
Examples:
can't = cannot = can not
couldn‟t = could not
shouldn‟t = should not
mustn‟t = must not
won‟t = will not
wouldn‟t = would not
How can we use modal verbs in the past?
We can:

Use a synonym in the past: to be able to, Youcan go Youwere able to go

to be allowed to, to have to, to need to You may go  You were allowed to go
You must go  You had to go / You needed
to go
Use a modal verb that expresses the past: I could not go
could (past of „can‟), would (past of „will‟) I thought I would go
Use „modal verb + have + past participle‟ He could have gone
He may have gone
He might have gone
He should have gone
He must have gone
He would have gone

How can we use modal verbs in the future?

We can:

Use a synonym in the future: to be able to, Youcan go  Youwill be able to go

to be allowed to, to have to, to need to You may go  You will be allowed to go
You must go  You will have to go / You
will need to go
Use a modal verb with an indication of We can/could/may/might/should/must go
future tomorrow
Writing Exercise
5 min

Complete the sentences with one of the two choices.

1. You really ___________ watch tv this much. (shall / shouldn‟t)

2. She ___________ be at work, she always works at this time. (must / could)
3. Speak up, I ___________ hear you! (can‟t / couldn‟t)
4. I ___________ hear a word he said. (can‟t / couldn‟t)
5. Andrew ___________ call his wife urgently. (must / shouldn‟t)
6. Thank you for calling Zee Company, how ___________ I help you? (can‟t / may)
7. If I go to New York, I ___________ see the Statue of Liberty. (will / would)
8. If I went to New York, I ___________ see the Statue of Liberty. (will / would)
9. It ___________ happen, but it is very unlikely. (shall / could)
10. Emma ___________ go out tonight, her parents said no. (can‟t / may)

Writing Exercise
5 min

Match the two columns to identify the use of each modal verb.

1. Abe should call Lyla soon after their first date. a. obligation
2. Lyla should be happy to get his call. b. possibility
3. Abe calls but she doesn‟t pick up, she must be working. c. low probability
4. No problem, he can call her back later. d. rational probability
5. Later he tells her they could go out to dinner again. e. certainty
6. She says she may be available Friday. f. polite request
7. Abe asks if he can call her back Friday morning. g. permission
8. She says she could be in a meeting, the afternoon is h. advice
better.
9. Friday afternoon, Abe asks: May I pick you up at 6 pm? i. capacity
10. He must be on time to make a good impression. j. suggestion
Writing Exercise
5 min

Complete the sentences with a modal verb from this list, without using the
same one twice: can, could, may, might, should, must, shall, will, would

1. Children ___________ go to school.

2. Before you make a decision, you___________ speak to a specialist.
3. I___________ ride a horse, I love horse riding.
4. Let‟s go,___________ we?
5. Jake___________ speak some English before the training.
6. ___________ I please speak to Mrs. Sanders?
7. I promise I___________ buy you a new phone.
8. He___________ join us later, he is not sure.
9. If I were you, I ___________ take this opportunity.

Writing Exercise
5 min

Match each sentence to a sentence with the same meaning.

1. Jack must write a report tomorrow. a. She needs to help him, or the report
will not be finished on time.
2. Jack couldn‟t write it yesterday. b. Jennifer‟s boss says she is allowed to
help Jack.
3. Jennifer says she can help him c. Jack will have to write a report
tomorrow. tomorrow.
4. She has to help him, or the report will d. Jennifer says she will be able to help
not be finished on time. him tomorrow.
5. Jennifer‟s boss says she may help e. Jack wasn‟t able to write it yesterday.
Jack.
Speaking Exercise with the Instructor
5 min

Listen to your teacher’s questions. Then, answer.

Example: What could we do to protect the environment? We could recycle
more.
1. Should children spend a limited time in front of the computer?
2. What else could children do to have fun?
3. If your child spent too much time on the computer, what would you do?
4. Do you think a parent must be strict about this?
5. Do you think it may cause weight problems?

Watch the Video!

10 min

With thesesong extracts, you will practice modal verbs.

Watch the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KcSEnVnQ98

Watch again, and complete the sentences below with the right modal verb:

1. We ____________ as well be strangers.

2. I ____________ get you out of my head.
3. I know I ____________ be what I want to be.
4. If I work hard at it, I ____________ be where I want to be.
5. Even when the darkest clouds are in the sky, you ____________ sigh and you
____________ cry.
6. The show ____________ go on!
7. My make up ____________ be fading, but my smile still stays on.
8. ____________ I stay or ____________ I go?
Quiz
10 min

True or False?

1. The most polite modal verb to ask for permission is „may‟. true false
2. We use „to‟ between a modal verb and another verb. true false
3. We can use the future with modal verbs. true false
4. „could‟ is the past of „can‟. true false

Match each situation on the left to a modal verb on the right.

Situation Modal Verb

1. rational probability a. must
2. very high probability b. would
3. suggestion c. should
4. past of „will‟ d. could

Put these sentences in the past.

1. I can get in, because I am invited.

2. We must finish our work before going out.
3. You should ask a professional to fix your roof.
4. You may understand his explanation.

Put these sentences in the future.

1. I can get in, because I am invited.

2. We must finish our work before going out.
3. He can fly a kite.
4. You would listen carefully.