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 couldgo to the new restaurant. It
could rain today.
Possibility, low probability or one
She could be at home.
possibility of many
Polite permission/request MayI 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
Shall $200.
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 wouldtravel more. He

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

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

Examples:
must = have to, need to
she must leave = she has to live = she needs to leave
should = ought to
he should 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 = cannot
couldn’t = could not
shouldn’t = should not
mustn’t = must not won’t
= will not
wouldn’t = would no
 EXERCISES WITH MODAL VERBS

A. Translate these sentences using a modal verb

1. . ¿Puedes ver el mar desde tu casa?

2. ¿Me podrías prestar tu esfero?
3. Tengo que escribir un ensayo.
4. No pueden ir a la fiesta porque tienen que estudiar.
5. ¿Sabías esquiar cuando fuiste a Alemania?
6. Ella siempre me dice que no puedo usar su teléfono.
7. Deberías estudiar más y así aprobarás el examen.
8. Tu no debes parquear en frente del hospital.
9. ¿Debería llamar a mi amigo?
10. Yo no puedo tocar el saxofón.

B. MUST: STRONG OBLIGATION. IT'S PERSONAL. IT INVOLVES THE SPEAKER'S

OPINION.
HAVE TO: STRONG OBLIGATION. IT'S EXTERNAL: law, rules...

1. . I…….. do my homework. My teacher always checks if we have done the exercises.

2. I ………… get my hair cut. I don't like it so long.
3. We………… go home. My mother has told me to arrive at ten o'clock.
4. I …………. study hard. I want to pass the exam.
5. In Spain, children………… go to school until they're 16.
6. You ……………. phone every day, darling!

C. MUSTN'T: STRONG PROHIBITION DON'T HAVE TO: IT'S NOT NECESSARY

1. You……… accept things from strangers!

2. When you go into a clothes shop, you …………. to buy something. You can just look.
3. You ………… steal things from shops.
4. Children …………… pay bills.
5. Children ……………. eat junk food every day.
6. Some millionaires ……………… get up very early.
 D. CHOOSE THE BEST OPTION (CAN – CAN´T COULD – COULDN´T)

1. When Tom was 16, he was a fast runner. He ______ run 200 metres in 22 seconds.
a) Can b) Could c) Can’t d) Couldn’t

2. I'm afraid I ______ come to your party next Saturday.

a) Can b) Could c) Can’t d) Couldn’t

3. I'm not in a hurry. I've got plenty of time. I _______ wait.

a) Can b) Could c) Can’t d) Couldn’t

4. . I was feeling terribly sick yesterday. I ________ eat anything.

a) Can b) Could c) Can’t d) Couldn’t

5. Can you speak loudly, please? I _______ hear you very well.
a) Can b) Could c) Can’t d) Couldn’t

6. "You look exhausted." "Yes, I _________ sleep last night.

a) Can b) Could c) Can’t d) Couldn’t

E. CHOOSE THE BEST OPTION ( MUST – MUSTN´T – NEEDN´T)

1. This is a very precious book. You ________ lose it.

a) must b) mustn't c) needn't

2. He will be having lessons for another two hours. We _________ visit him now.
a) must b) mustn't c) needn't

3. You _________ wash those carrots. They've already been washed.

a) must b) mustn't c) needn't

4. We _______ hurry. We've got plenty of time.

a) must b) mustn't c) needn't
 5. We have enough milk in the fridge so we __________ buy some more.
a) must b) mustn't c) needn't

6. This is a very great novel. You _______ read it.

a) must b) mustn't c) needn't

7. Time is not on our side. We _________ hurry.

a) must b) mustn't c) needn't
8. 'What kind of car do you want to buy? Something flashy?' 'Well, it __________ be
flashy - that's not important.'
a) must b) mustn't c) needn't

9. Tim gave me a mail to send. I ___________ remember to mail it.

a) must b) mustn't c) needn't

10. Mary gave me a letter to post. I __________ forget to mail it.

a) must b) mustn't c) needn't

F. Rewrite the sentences with: can, may, must or have to.

1. Is that all right if I borrow your pen? May/Can I borrow your pen?

2. Don't park your car on bends. It is illegal. You.........................................................

3. Perhaps she will agree with it. Who knows? She ........................................

4. Our teacher asked us to tidy the classroom. We ..................................................

5. I need your help. It's too much work for me. You ......................................................

6. Look at that baloon. It's over there. ....................... see ...........................................?

7. Don't worry about dinner. I'll make it. You ........................................................

8. It is not necessary to be there. We .....................................................................

9. Why don't you stay with us? No problem! You

G. 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