3 Modal Verbs

The modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, must, ought to, will, would, shall, should.
They take no -s in the third person singular and are followed by an infinitive without to except for
“ought to”. He must be at work. He ought to do what you asked h m to. They come before the subject i
questions and are followed by “not” in negations. “Could you help me with the dishes?” “I’m sorry, I
can’t." Certain verbs or expressions can be used with the same meaning as modals. These are: n
(= must), had better (= should), have (got) to (= must), be able to (= can), used to (= would) etc.
I’ve got to go to the library.

Summary of Functions of Modal Verbs and Synonymous Expressions

A b ility O b lig atio n R eq u ests

She can dance well. I must cut down on fats. (I need to; Can see the Manager? (inform
She could/was able to dance well I say so) Could see the Manager? (poli
when she was young, (repeated I have to cut down on fats. (I’m May see the Manager, please
action - ability in the past) obliged to; the doctor says so) (formal)
She’s able to type 120 words I had to cut down or else I would Might see the Manager? (very
per minute. have got overweight, (past) formal)
They were able to buy a car after We within the speed Will you do my shopping? (infc
saving for years, (single action in limit. (It is the right thing to do, but mal)
the past) we don’t always do it.) Would you mind working overti
He couldn’t/wasn’t able to save We ought to hav® stayed within the (polite; formal)
the patient. speed limit. (It was the right thing to
do but we didn’t do it.)

P o ssib ility N e cess ity P ro h ib itio n / Duty

He can’t still be at home. (90% I must see a doctor soon. (I say so) You can’t enter this area, (proh
certain) I had to see a doctor. (I was bition - you aren’t allowed to)
He could/may be tired. (50% obliged to; past) They couldn’t enter that area,
certain; it’s possible he is tired) He has to wear an overall at work, (prohibition - they weren’t
He might come later. (40% certain; (necessity from outside the speaker) allowed to)
perhaps he will come later) He had to wear an overall when You mustn’t touch the statues,
He could have killed her. (luckily he was at school, (past) (prohibition - it is forbidden)
he didn’t - past) We’ve got to move house, (informal) You may not smoke in the
He may/might have sold his They had to move house, (past) corridors, (prohibition - formal)
house, (perhaps he sold it - past) The cat needs feeding, or The cat All applicants must fill in this
It is likely that Ann will offer to needs to be fed. (it is necessary) form, (duty)
help. The cat needed feeding, or The All applicants had tc fill in that
Ann is likely to offer to help. cat needed to be fed. (it was form, (duty - past)
It was likely that she had missed necessary) People ought 12 respect
the bus. (past) You ought to behave yourself, (it the environment. (It is the right
She was likely to have missed is necessary) thing to do but people don't
the bus. (past) She doesn’t have to/doesn’t need always do it.)
to come, (it isn’t necessary - He ought to have notified the
Note: to express possibility in absence of necessity) police of the burglary. (It was
questions we use: Is he likely to ...? She didn’t have to/didn’t need to the right thing to do but he didn
Is it likely that he ...? Can he ...? come, (it wasn’t necessary for her to do it.)
Could he ...? Might he ...? come and we don’t know if she did)
Could he still be at work? (not: She needn’t have come so early,
may) (it wasn’t necessary for her to
come but she did)
 Modal Verbs
mmary of Functions of Modal Verbs and Synonymous Expressions
Criticism Logical Assumptions Probability

at least call her. (present) He must be tired. (90% certain - He wil? come tomorrow. (100%
at least have called positive; I’m sure he is tired.) certain; prediction)
day. (past) He must have arrived by now. He should/ought to come by
let us know, (positive; I’m sure he has arrived/ later. (90% certain; future only;
d have let us know before, ' It can’t/couldn’t be a fake, (neg­ it’s probable)
r didn’t) ative; I’m sure it isn’t a fake.) He should/ought to have
to be more helpful, She can’t/couldn’t have killed reached Rome by now. (He has
ought to have been more him. (negative; I’m sure she probably reached Rome.)
: - : was the right thing to didn’t kill him.)
: . ou didn’t do it.)

(informa
Permission Offers / Suggestions Advice
>r? (polite
please?
take my car. (giving Can I/we carry your bags? (offer You should stop smoking,
m -~.z permission; informal) - informal) (general advice; I advise you)
r? (very
t * »is - 1 allowed to/couldn’t Shall I/we collect your laundry? You should have stopped smoking,
i. - ~ car. (past) (offer - informal) (but you didn’t)
ig? (infor
* » «as allowed to take my car. Would you like to stay with me You ought to comply with the
nc: past) for a couple of days? (offer) regulations. (I advise you; most
j overtime
zq out for a minute? (more Would you like me to give you a people believe this.)
a;-' ng for permission) lift? (offer) You ought to have contacted a
- go out for a minute. Shall we have a break? (suggestion) lawyer earlier, (but you didn’t)
z zing permission) I/We can watch TV. (suggestion) You had better not lie to her. (It
-ave the pleasure of your We could go to the theatre isn’t a good idea; advice on a
)uty . ~ very formal; asking tonight, (suggestion) specific situation)
■ssion) We could have stayed longer if it would have been better If you
a. (prohi­
r y but you can’t/mustn’t you’d wanted, (suggestion - past) hadn’t lied to her. (but you did)
bée! to)
: - g distance phone calls, Let’® play football! (suggestion) Shall I enter the competition?
t area,
'efusing permission) Why don’t we play football? (asking for advice)
n’t
~ lo t take pictures of (suggestion)
(formal; refusing per- How about playing football?
statues.
•vritten notice) (suggestion)
den)
sTr allowed to see the patient. What about playing football?
the
(suggestion)
formal)
i this

in that r f'c / the following sentences, then identify the use o f each verb in bold.

;t t can’t have lied. .logical assumption - negative..

he right * : . must tell them the truth.
don’t - - ‘.as able to run the Marathon.
Z-=~ .ou help me with my homework?
ed the snould have seen a doctor.
It was . d better admit to your guilt.
he didn “ • - don’t have to employ more staff.
« speak to the Manager about my problem?
§ : r i : e ought to treat animals with respect.
•m S-e sn’t at home. She may be at the supermarket.
- - -ad to wear glasses.
* - could at least have told me in advance.
m .

Modal Verbs

Identify the use o f the verbs in bold, then say the same sentence in as many ways as possibh

1 She can cook Chinese food, ..... ability............ She’s able to cook Chinese food..
2 Tim may come over today. ......................................................................................
3 He should be at the party tonight. ......................................................................................
4 They m ust have gone out; the lights are off.........................................................................................
5 I need to call my mother. ......................................................................................
6 You ought to take an umbrella; it’s raining...........................................................................................
7 You could at least have driven her to work..........................................................................................
8 I have to help Mum clean the house. ......................................................................................
9 Can I have a look at your newspaper? ......................................................................................
10 Would you like me to carry that for you? ......................................................................................
11 We can go to the beach tomorrow. ......................................................................................
12 You may not smoke in the hospital. ......................................................................................
13 All employees must attend the meeting. ......................................................................................
14 The dogs need to be fed at 12:00. ......................................................................................
15 You should go to Pam’s party. ......................................................................................
16 Shall we go out tonight? ......................................................................................
17 People ought to drive more carefully. ......................................................................................
18 She can’t be feeling well. ......................................................................................

Must (affirmative logical assumption) - May/Might (possibility) -

Can't/Couldn't (negative logical assumption)
Present Infinitive I’m sure he works overtime. He must work overtime.
Perhaps he will work overtime. He may/might work overtime.

Present Cont. Infinitive I’m sure he is working. He must be working.

Perhaps he will be working. He may/might be working.

Perfect Infinitive I’m sure he didn’t work. He can’t have worked.

I’m sure he hasn’t worked before. He can’t have worked before.
I’m sure he hadn’t worked. He can’t have worked.

Perfect Cont. Infinitive Perhaps he was working. He may/might have been working.
Perhaps he has been working. He may/might have been working.

Complete the sentences using the words

in bold. Use two to five words. |j| ^ *
I’m sure she lost the race.
have She ...m u s t have lost... the race. 1—j p
Perhaps she will phone us sometime today.
may S he ................................................................................................................ sometime today
I don’t think the Rogers have been living here long.
been The Rogers ..............................................................................................................here lone
I’m sure he has spent all his money.
have H e ....................................................................................................................... all his mone;.
I’m sure James won’t be seeing the boss tomorrow,
be James ...................................................................................................... the boss tomorrov
6 Perhaps he is feeling ill.
be He ...............
 Modal Verbs
I'm sure Alan wasn’t driving carelessly.
been A la n .......................................................................................................................... carelessly.
ssible. 3erhaps he had left before you called.
have He ................................................................................................................before you called.
food.. I m sure she is considering your offer.
be She ........................................................................................................................... your offer.
3erhaps they rented the flat.
may They ...............................................................................................................................the flat.

Mustn't - Needn't
mustn’t (= it’s forbidden) You mustn’t park on the double yellow lines.
, needn’t / don’t have to (= it isn’t necessary) You needn’t do the ironing. I’ll do it tonight.

Complete the sentences using the words

*
in bold. Use two to five words.
■ 3 forbidden to feed the animals,
lo t You ...must not feed... the animals,
t sn’t necessary to cut the grass; it’s still quite short.
-ave You .......................................................................................... the grass; it’s still quite short.
r s prohibited to take dogs into the restaurant.
io t You .............................................................................................................into the restaurant.
ft sn’t necessary to dust the furniture; I’ll do it later.
-sed You ................................................................................................the furniture; I’ll do it later.
I - idren aren’t allowed to run in the corridor.
~ot Children ........................................................................................................... in the corridor.
5 <th formers needn’t wear school uniforms.
~ave Sixth formers ................................................................................................school uniforms.

Needn't - Didn't need to - Needn't have

don’t have to / don’t need to / needn’t + present infinitive (It is not necessary in the present or
ing. Vrure.) Citizens of EU countries don’t have to /don’t need to/needn’t have a visa to go to England.
ing. 4 dn’t need to / didn’t have to (It was not necessary in the past and we may not know if the action
"opened or not.) She didn’t need to/didn’t have to go out last night. (It wasn’t necessary for her to go
and we don’t know if she went or not.)
peedn’t + perfect infinitive (We know that something happened in the past although it was not
■i ;essary.) He needn’t have given the waiter such a big tip. (He did, although it was not necessary.)

Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words.

went on a two-day trip. He took more clothes than necessary.

-=ve Tim ...needn’t have taken... so many clothes on a two-day trip,
n e today decided not to take his passport because it wasn’t necessary.
*eed He ........................................................................................................................ his passport.
e oought more food than was necessary for the party.
nere long
*ave We ...............................................................................................so much food for the party.
t nasn’t necessary for Gloria to iron the clothes because Sue had already done it.
lis monev la v e Gloria .......................................................... the clothes because Sue had already done it.
■ s~'t necessary to have a visa to visit Australia.
tomorrow ved Y o u ...................................................................................................... a visa to visit Australia.
• wasn’t necessary for Jim to accept the offer.
*3 ,e Jim ...............................................................................................................................the offer.

41<4
 Modal Verbs
be supposed to - be to
be supposed to (= should) expresses the idea that someone else expects something to be done,
You are supposed to be helpful to customers. (Your boss expects you to.) You should be helpful to
customers. (It’s a good idea because it makes a good impression.)
be to + infinitive expresses the idea that someone else demands something. You are to be in my
office at 12 sharp. (You must be in my office at 12 sharp.)
be supposed to and be to are used to express what someone expects about a previously
arranged event. The shop assistant was supposed to give me a receipt.

Read the following sentences and explain their meaning.

You were supposed to eat your salad. ...Your m o th e r w anted you t o e a t y o u r ealad..
You should clean your room.........................................................................................................
You are to finish your homework..................................................................................................
All students are supposed to do their homework......................................................................
You are supposed to wear running shoes.................................................................................
You should wear running shoes...................................................................................................
I was to walk the dog twice a day................................................................................................
I was supposed to walk the dog twice a day.............................................................................

,M
Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets.

1 Let’s go jogging, (shall) ...Shall we go jogging?....

2 Please turn the TV off. (could)
3 Am I allowed to sit here? (may)
4 Please answer the phone, (will)
5 Don’t bite your nails, (must)
6 Do you mind if I use your pen? (can)
7 I wish I had checked the tyres, (ought)
8 These curtains don’t have to be ironed, (need)
9 It’s not polite to speak with your mouth full, (should)
10 Why don’t we visit Mark and Jane? (shall)
11 Is there any chance that he’ll phone? (likely)
12 It’s advisable to brush your teeth after meals, (should)
13 There’s a possibility that he’ll arrive a little late, (might)
14 Do you know how to ice-skate? (can)
15 It wasn’t necessary to show any identification but he did. (need)
16 Why didn’t you tell me there was no one in? (could) ...............................
17 It wasn’t necessary for us to wait because there was no queue, (need)
18 Let’s go to the cinema tonight, (shall)........................................................
19 It’s important that you be here at 9.00. (must) .........................................
20 I’m sure he is a millionaire, (must) ..............................................................
21 Perhaps he’ll change his mind, (may) .......................................................
22 Please, help me carry these! (could) .........................................................
23 I don’t believe she paid so much for that dress, (can) .............................
24 It’s a good idea to lock the door at night, (should) ..................................
25 Is there any chance we’ll get a pay rise? (likely) ......................................
26 Why didn’t they inform us of the delay? (could) .......................................
27 We could try to mend it ourselves. (Let’s) .................................................
28 It wasn’t necessary for you to go to so much trouble, (need) ................
29 It's a good idea to show more respect, (ought to) ...................................
30 You have to inform the bank of any change of address, (m u st).............
 Modal VerbsfM

Fill in the blanks with a suitable word or phrase practising modals. Identify the use o f the
modal verb and/or the expressions used.
5"e ...m u st have worked... (work) late last night; she looks exhausted. ...logical assum ption...
.'/hen we emigrated to Australia, w e .................... (leave) our pets behind.............................................
......................................(we/go)? It’s getting late. .......................................
Y o u ...............(start) learning Spanish if you’re going to live in Madrid. .........................................
Y o u .................................. (be) kinder to her; she’s only a baby. .......................................
..................................... (you/collect) my parcel for me? .......................................
v o u ........................................ (not/smoke) cigars on an aeroplane. ...... ................................
Y o u .................... (not/pay) by cheque without a cheque guarantee card................................................
~-e doctor says I ....................... (lose) weight before my operation. .......................................
.................................(I/paint) my room a different colour, please? .......................................
• ou re a lly ..................................... (not/eat) so much red meat. .......................................
- e ....................................... (take) your car since he had the keys. .......................................
~ sorry to bother you b u t .......................................... (you/help) me? .........................................
Ta I them later; th e y ...........................................(sleep) now. .......................................
• o u ........................................... (write) to your grandfather more often. .......................................
»t. »il

She types very fast. Actually s h e .................(type) 150 words per minute..............................................
wc j .......................................... (confirm) your resignation in writing. .......................................
s r .......................................... (tell) her the truth; she now feels betrayed................................................
- n .......................................... (play) the piano at the age of six. .......................................
_~ e y......................................... (sell) their flat and buy a bigger one. .......................................

lead the following situations, then write how you would respond to each using modals.

* •: friend has won £10,000 in the lottery. What do you advise her to do?
|_ T o u should go to Venice.” “Why don’t you go to Venice?”...
1*cur friend cannot sleep at night. What do you suggest he d o e s? .......................................................
2* s snowing. Tom said he would be home early and he still hasn’t arrived. What do you th in k ? ....
*5c ~ e children are playing football in the flower beds. What do you say to them ?...............................
I t
s your birthday. Your friend gives you a very expensive present. What do you say?......................
i : - are at a train station. An old lady is carrying a heavy suitcase. How do you offer to help her? ..
• are in a train. The window is open and you are cold. What do you say to the other passengers?
i * see your windowcleaner with a broken arm. What do you say to your friend?.............................
i ■: „ are looking after your young cousin. It is after midnight and he is still running around the
• : -se. What do you say to him? ................................................................................................................
W. friend hurt her leg a week ago. She still hasn’t seen her doctor. What do you tell her to do?...
* friends are late for your dinner party. What do you say as you impatiently look at your watch?
Z * : -r friends arrive three hours late for the dinner party. They say they were delayed by an
.'expected visitor. How do you re p ly? ......................................................................................................

4 3 ^
 Modal Verbs

Perhaps he is sleeping now. It wasn’t necessary for her to take so much

He may be sleeping now. money with her.
I’m sure he hasn’t finished yet. She needn’t have taken so much money with he
He can’t have finished yet. He is likely to perform in the concert.
I’m sure he has left. It is likely that he will perform in the concert.
He must have left. He’ll probably perform in the concert.
Shall I help you with the dishes? Let’s go for a ride.
Would you like me to help you with the dishes? Shall we/Why don’t we go for a ride?
it’s forbidden to take pictures in this museum. What/How about going for a ride?
You mustn’t take pictures in this museum. It would be a good idea to stop smoking.
You aren’t allowed to take pictures in this museum. You should stop smoking.
It isn’t necessary for you to take the bus. You’d better stop smoking.
You don’t have to/don’t need to/needn’t take Would you mind if I used your phone?
the bus. May/Might I use your phone?

Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words.

1 Perhaps the car needs a new engine,

need The car ...m ay/m igh t need... a new engine.
2 Why don’t you go to Canada for a holiday?
could You ...................................................................................................................... for a holiday.]
3 Shall I get you a cup of tea?
me Would .......................................................................................................... you a cup of tea"
4 Sue will probably go to see her aunt.
is Sue .................................................................................................................. to see her aunt
5 It wasn’t necessary for them to buy such a big car as they did.
have T h e y ..................................................................................................................such a big car.'
6 It’s forbidden to smoke in this building,
not You ................................................................................................................... in this building.]
7 It would be a good idea to change your hairstyle,
better You ..................................................................................................................... your hairstyle^
8 Why didn’t anybody warn me about the bus strike?
have You ......................................................................................................... about the bus strike ]
9 It isn’t necessary for you to attend the meeting,
need You ....................................................................................................................... the meetincj
10 Let’s go to the cinema,
going W h a t...................................................................................................................... the cinema”
11 I’m sure he is seeing Ruth.
be He ...................................................................................................................................... Ruth
12 It isn’t necessary for you to come early tonight,
have You ...................................................................................................................... early tonightj
13 I’m sure he didn’t send you this letter,
sent H e ...............................................................................................................................this letter.|
14 May I read your newspaper?
mind Would .......................................................................................................... your newspaper'
15 I’m sure she wasn’t lying to you.
been She .................................................................................................................................to yoi
16 She is likely to fail her exams,
that It is .......................................................................................................................... her examsj
17 It’s forbidden to talk to the driver while he is driving,
must You ........................................................................................... the driver while he is driving I
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 5 ®- # * « H I ■ • • • • • • * • • • • • • • • • • • • » » • • • • • • • • • • • • • • * * • • • * * * * » • # * # » • * • # * « Verbs
- .vasn’t necessary for him to give me the money back so soon.
;:ven H e ................................................................................................... the money back so soon,
-e'haps she went to her uncle’s.
~ave She .................................................................................................................... to her uncle’s.
з much Shall I help you lengthen your dress?
~e Would .............................................................................................you lengthen your dress?
iy with her
Find the word which should not be in the sentence.

:u needn’t to repeat the course.

1 to
ck was being able to change the faulty fuse on his own.
2
aeve might have been helped you if you had asked her.
3
:~unately, we didn’t have needed to walk the whole distance. 4
; j l d it you like me to pick up the laundry? 5
r should have must known better than to trust her. 6
-'э т у would like that to study nuclear physics. 7
i •e had has to work overtime every day last month, 8
$ ey ought to have had given us more instructions, 9
n t s not to argue about this any more. 10
э 3rime Minister is being supposed to leave for the USA tonight, 11
e-e you allowed it to take photos inside the museum? 12
IS ey can’t have had spent all that money in just one week. 13
Ш ■ dren are may not to be left unattended at any time. 14
m : J d they mind if my bringing a friend along? 15
jp of tea? -g ■ey must have pack all their things before noon. 16
nr >u should have try to treat customers more politely, 17
Ш V ght I to ask you for a favour? 18
_ "eedn’t have to invited so many people. 19
■s .ve go to Ann’s. 20

There must have been an accident.

The boy may not have seen the car coming.

45^