Ability: can, can't, could, couldn't

D We form sentences with can like this: D We form sentences with could like this:

In spoken English cannot is possible, but we

normally use can't:
He can't swim.
For short answers (Can you swim? "' No, I can't.),
see Unit 37.
I could run 100 metres in 12 seconds when I
D We use can and can't to talk about things we was young.
are able to do generally: Lucy could read when she was three years old.
She can speak Japanese. (= She is able to
speak Japanese.)
D We do not normally use could for something
that happened on a particular occasion in the
He can't ski. (= He isn't able to ski.) past. We use was able to or managed to:
We also use can and can't to talk about things The boat was in difficulties, but in the end it
we are able to do at the moment: managed to reach the port. (oR ... it was
able to reach ...; NOT .. . it cottld reach .. .)
I can see the moon. (= I am able to see it now.)
D When we talk about a person's ability to do
something in the future, we use will be
able t o:
The baby will be able to talk soon.

Complete the sentences with can, can't or couldn't and the verbs in brackets ( ).
+ You don't have to shout. I can bear: (hear) you very well.
+ I couldn·t wa:J:;ch (watch) that programme last night because I had to go out.
He . (play) last week because he w as injured.
2 He eats in restaurants all the time because he (cook).
3 (give) you a lift in my car because it isn't working at the moment.
4 I didn't have a good seat in the theatre, so I (see) the stage very well.
5 John doesn't need a ca lculator. He {do) very difficult sums in his head.
6 She's very good at music. She .. .... .. (play) three instruments.
7 I ......... (find) my address book. Have you seen it?
8 He spoke very quickly and I .................................. (understand) anything he said.
9 We ... .. .. ... (go) on the trip because we .. . .... .... .... . . ........ .... . . (afford) it. it was very expensive.

86
 Modal verbs

10 (do) any more work because I was very tired, so I stopped.

11 I'm afraid that I (talk) to you now. I'm in a hurry. I have to be at work in
five minutes.

Complete the sentences using the w ords in brackets ( ) and can, can't, could or couldn't.
+ Sarah phoned Jasmine yesterday. (They/not/talk/for a long time, because Jasmine had to go out.)
They couldn't talk for a long time, because Jasmine had to go ouJ.
Grandma needs her glasses. (She/not/see/anything without her glasses.)
She
2 Mary won her race. (She was so tired after the race that she/not/stand up.)
She
3 (last year, Robert/beat/his younger brother at chess.) But he can't beat him now.
Last year,
4 John and Anna have a wonderful view from their hotel room. (They/see/the whole of the city.)
They

Complete these sentences using managed to or the correct form of be able to.
+ I was a~le to/managed to get the last ticket for the concert.
1 After waiting for a long time, we go into the museum.
2 They ....... .... buy a new carpet yesterday.
3 I eat three plates of pasta in the restaurant last night!
4 Our friends .. .. .. visit us yesterday afternoon.
5 She have a long holiday last year.
6 We ski in Scotland last weekend.

Look at this table and complete the sentences using can, could, or will be able to.
LAST YEAR NOW HOPES FOR THE FUTURE

Joy swim 100 metres swim 1000 metres swim for her club team
Mark type 15 words per minute type 30 words per minute work as an administrator
Anna speak only a little French speak French quite well work as an interpreter
Laura only cook omelettes cook quite well work as a chef
Tom only play the piano play the piano and the violin be a professional musician
Lucy ride a bike drive a car drive a racing car

+ Last year Joy could swim 100 metres . Now, she can swim 1,000 metres
+ At the moment Anna can speak French quite well, and if she studies hard,
perhaps she'll be able to work as an interpreter.
Last year Mark .Now,
2 Last year Anna .Now,
3 At the moment Laura , and if she works hard, perhaps

4 Last year Tom . . . Now,

and if he studies hard, perhaps
5 Last year Lucy . Now,
and she hopes that one day ...
87
 Can/Could I? May I? Can/Could you?

D We form questions with can, may and could Could we look at your map, please?
like this: Can I borrow your tennis racket, please?
We use can or may to give permission:
You can leave your bag here. (oR ... may
leave ...)
If we talk about what is allowed in general,
D We use can, may and could to ask for things:
rather than by a particular person, we use can:
People can drive on the roads when they are
Can (etc.) + 1/we + htwc •.. r 17 years old.
Can lttwe t1 at/ttlf
But official notices often use may:
BAGS MAY BE LEFT HERE.

D We use Can you, Could you and Would you

(but NOT May you) when we ask someone to do
something. Could and would are more formal
and polite than can.
Could we have two tickets, please?
Can I have some sugar?
D We use can, may or could to ask for
permission. Could I and May I are more
formal and polite than Can 1:

A: I'm cold. Can you close the window?

B: Yes, of course.

A Put the words in brackets () in the right order to make questions.

• (have- a return ticket to York- could - please- I - ?)
Could I have a return ticket to York, please?
(please - I - may- a glass of orange juice - have - ?)

2 (we - listen to their new song -can - ?)

3 (your mobile- please - use- I -can - ?)

4 (may- borrow - your camera tomorrow - I -?)

88
 Modal verbs

5 (please - the menu - pass -you - could - ?)

Ask for permission. Use the words in brackets ( ) and the words from the box.
use your printer use your Elictionary close the window
borrow your pen turn on the TV

+ SITUATION: You want to find the meaning of a word.

(may I) M.~.Y I u_s~;: your dictiQn.~ry? ..
SITUATION: You want to write down a phone number.
(can I)
2 SITUATION: You want to watch a programme.
(can I .. . please)
3 SITUATION: You're feeling cold.
(may I) ...
4 SITUATION: You need to print a document.
(may I ... please)

Ask people to do things. Use the words in brackets () and the phrases from the box.
buy A'IC a A'lagazine tell me the time make me a sandwich
tell me the way to Buckingham Palace carry one of these cases

+ PROBLEM: You're sick. You're in bed. You're bored.

(can you ... please) Can you buy_me a magazine, please?
PROBLEM: Your suitcases are very heavy.
(could you) . . .... . .. ..
2 PROBLEM: You're lost in London.
(could you .. . please)
3 PROBLEM: You've forgotten to put your watch on.
(can you)
4 PROBLEM: You're hungry. You're very tired.
(can you .. . please)

Choose the right word from the words in brackets ( ) and put it in the gap.
+ Could (May/Could) you give me one of these forms, please?
In the street:
Excuse me, officer, (could/may) you tell me how to get to the station?
2 At a railway station:
A: Let's have our sandwiches here.
B: (Couldn't/Can't) you read? Look at the notice; it says:
'FOOD (MAY/COULD) NOT BE EATEN IN THIS WAITING ROOM.'
3 A: (Could/May) you call Jenny about tomorrow's meeting?
B: I (may not/can't/couldn't) call her because she has lost her phone.

4 A: (May/Could) someone help me?

B: What (may/can) I do to help you?
A: We need to move the chairs and to clean this room. Can you help?
B: I'm afraid I (may not/can't) move the chairs because of my bad back.

89
 Must, mustn't

D We use must with an infinitive (do, go, work, D The negative form of must is mustn't or
etc.): must not:
You mustn't park here - it's not allowed.
You must (NOT YBtt 111ttstl'!'t t6 park here.)

Don't use to before the infinitive: B We use You mustn't ... (or You must not) to
NOT ¥6tt "1 tlSt t6 W6rk harder. say that it is necessary that somebody does NOT
do something:
The form of must is the same for all persons: You mustn't smoke in here.
must letwe soon. You mustn't make this mistake again.

D We use must in rules to say that an action We use 1/We mustn't ... (or must not) to say
that we think it is necessary that we do NOT
is necessary:
do something:
All visitors must go to reception when
they arrive. I mustn't forget her birthday again.
We mustn't be late for the meeting.
We use Yo u must ... to give somebody
an order: B Notice that we can use must and mustn't
(NOT will m ust) to talk about the fut ure:
Your work is poor - you must try harder.
I must phone Harry tomorrow.
You must finish this work tomorrow.
(NOT I will mttst ph611e I larry t6m6rrow.)
We use 1/We must ... to say that we think it is
necessary or important that we do something: To talk about what was necessary in the past,
we cannot use must; we use a form of have to
I'm getting tired. I must go home now.
(see Unit 42).
We must get a new car soon.
D We also use You must ... ,to strongly
We don't generally use m ust in a question form.
We use have to (see Unit 42).
recommend or offer something:
You must read this book; it's fantastic!
You must come for lunch at our house.

The Hotel Strict is not a very nice hotel. lt has a lot of rules. Read t he list of rules and change
each one into a sentence using must or must not.
Notice to guests
Leave your key at reception when you go out. Do not take food into your room.
Vacate your room by nine o'clock on the morning you leave. Pay for your room when you arrive.
Return to the hotel before ten o'clock every night. Do not smoke in the restaurant.

+ You must l§av~ . you r key at reception when you go out.

You food into your room.
2 for your room when you arrive.
3 your room by nine o'clock on the morning
you leave.
4 ......................... in the restaurant.
5 .............-............................................. to the hotel befo re ten o'clock every night.

90
 Modal verbs

Look at this table of instructions for students in a school. Use the table to make sentences
with must or mustn't.
Yes No
+ Yo.~. r:nu~~.;at~~.n.d. ... all classes.
Attend all classes. ./
1 ............................................. school books home with you.
Take school books home with you.
2 " ... _ ... .. ..... a noise in the corridors.
Make a noise in the corridors.
Wrfte in school books. 3 .. ....................................... in school books.
Arrive for lessons on time. .I 4 .. . . ........................... for lessons on time.
Bring your own pens and paper. ./ 5 ................................................ your own pens and paper.

Henry wants to make some changes in his life. Look at the pictures and make sentences
using the phrases from the box with must or mustn't.
study after school run every morning eress sffiar~ly watch TV all day
~ sleep in the afternoon work late at night

+ I mustn't !;irtlQk{::. + J mu.?.t (;!r~~P smartly.. 1 2

3 4 5 6

Rewrite the sentences in brackets ( ) using must or mustn't/must not.

+ (Have some of this fish. it's wonderful.)
You tnust have some of this fish . it's wonderful.
(Don't tell lies. it's bad.)
You . it's bad.
2 (Passengers: Do not open the door while the train is moving.)
Passengers while the train is moving.
3 (Come for dinner with us one evening next week!)
You • . ..... one evening next week!
4 (All staff: show identity cards when you enter the building.)
All staff when they enter the building.
5 (it's bad for you to eat so much unhealthy food.)
You so much unhealthy food.
6 (Follow the instructions when using this machine.)
You ............. when using this machine.

91
 D The Present Simple forms of have to are: We don't have to hurry; we're early.
(= lt's not necessary to hurry. We have
plenty of time.)
I don't have to get up early on Sunday.
(= I can stay in bed if I want.)

D We can use have got to with the same meaning

as have to to talk about something that is
necessary at one particular t ime (but not in
general):
I have to/l've got to make a phone call now.
You don't have to/haven't got to do this
immediately.
D We use have to to talk about things that are
necessary because of rules that other people D The past form of have to is had to:
oblige us to follow: I had to do a lot of work yesterday.
My brother has to travel a lot in his job. (See Unit 48.)
(= lt is required by his employer.)
We have to pay the rent every month.
D The future form of have to is will have to:
(= lt is required by the landlord.)
He'll have to look for another job.
We won't have to get tickets in advance.
To talk about things that WE think are Will they have to get visas?
necessary, we usually use must (see Unit 43).
Note that we cannot use have got to in past or
D We also use have to for things that are future forms:
necessary because of the circumstances:
Yesterday I had to work hard. ( NOT I I<Js61 get
I have to get a bus to school. (= lt is the only te weriE I<Jsr61.)
way I can travel there.)
She has to live on a small income.(= She only D We can use the Present Simple of have to to
receives a small amount of money to pay for talk about the future:
what she needs.) I have to do some shopping tomorrow.
D We use don't have to to say that something is Do you have to work next weekend?
NOT necessary.

Look at this table about different jobs and use the information to complete the sentences
using have to or don't have to.
Shop assistants Bank clerks Doctors Teachers
deal with the public ./ ./ ./ X
be polite to people ./ ./ X X
work with money ./ ./ X 1
wear uniforms ./ X ./ X

+ Shop assistants haw~ to deal .... with the public.

1 Teachers ........ ·····-···"· . ···- to people.
2 Bank clerks . . ... .. .. ...... ...... .. ..........·-··· to people.
3 Bank clerks .............................................................. with money.
4 Doctors ........................................................................ with money.
5 Shop assistants often ................................................................ uniforms.
6 Teachers _...................................................... uniforms.
92
 Modal ve rbs

Complete the sentences using the correct forms of have to or have got to and the words in
brackets (). Be careful to use the correct tense.
+ I have to leay~ (1/leave) now; I've got an appointment at the dentist's.
+ Did_yqu_b9ve.:t;o study .. ...... (you/study) literature when you were at school?
+ )"Qu h.:wen:t got to come .............. (You/not/come) with me now if you don't want to.
1 .... (1/not/work) hard because the job was very easy.
2 . (1/do) this work now, or can I do it tomorrow?
3 .. .... . .. ...... (I/run) to school because I was late.
4 .......................................................................... (1/go) to an important meeting yesterday.
5 . . . ..... . .. .. .. .... . ....... .......... . .............. (you/show) your passports when you reached the border?
6 ........ .... . ... (I!pay) in cash next week or can I transfer the money on line?
7 I want to be an airline pilot. What qualifications ... ... ... .... ......................... ... .. .. ... (you/have)
to be a pilot?
8 . . . . ... .. .... .... .... .... .... .. .. ............... (You/not/decide) today. You can tell me tomorrow.
9 I arrived late yesterday because . .......... ..... ...... ............................ (1/wait) a long time for a bus.
10 A: . .... . ................ ...... .............................................. (you/work) every weekend?
B: No, I don't; but ............................................. .. .. ...... .. ... (1/work) last weekend.

Complete the conversations using the words in brackets ( )and correct forms of have to or
have got to.
A: (Good morning, I'd like to buy a travel card. What/1/do?)
• GooG!_mQrnin_g. 1:q li.k.~ to b_1,..1y P. trave_I_Q;:tt:~- .What d9 I hav.e "t;;q__do?...
B: (You/fill/in an application form.)
1

A: (1/give/you/a photograph?)
2

B: (No, you/not/give/me anything, except the money for the card!)

3

Dad: (What/you/do/at school today?)

• What djd you have to t;lo ~t. [Link] tQday?..... ......... .
Sam: (We/do/some/English tests.)
4

Dad: (How many questions/you/answer?)

s

Sam: (We/answer/about 40 grammar questions.)

6

(1/think/about them very carefully.)

7

Dad: (you/write/a composition?)

8

Sa m: (No, but we/do/one next week.)

9

93
 D We use must when the speaker thinks it is D NEGATIVE
necessary or important to do an action:
Note the difference in meaning between
You must go. (= lt is important that you go.)
mustn't and don't have to.
We make negatives, questions and short
In negative sentences we often use mustn't
answers like this:
to say that something is against t he rules or
You mustn't go. against the law:
Must you go? "" Yes, I must. You mustn't smoke on buses. (= Smoking is
D We use have to to talk about an action that is against the rules.)
necessary because of rules or laws, or because In football you mustn't touch the ball with
someone obliges us to do it: your hands. (=Touching the ball is against
Doctors sometimes have to work on Sunday. the rules.)
(lt is in the rules of t heir work.)
We use don't have to to say that people are not
We make negatives, questions and short obliged to do something:
answers with a form of do: In Britain, people don't have to carry a
Teachers don't have to work on Sunday. passport with them.(= People are not
Do you have to work today? "" No, I don't. obliged to carry one.)
Nowadays pupils do not have to learn
D POSITIVE Latin at school. (= They are not obliged to
learn it.)
In positive sentences we can often use must
and have to with little difference in meaning, D QUESTIONS
because many things are important both
because we think so and because there In questions we usually use do/does ... have to
are rules: (NOT mttSt) to ask if something is obligatory

You must work hard in order to succeed or important:

(oR You have to work in order to succeed). Does Michael have to get up early tomorrow?
Do we have to wait here?

The Stanton Squash Club has decided that it is important for all club members to do
these things:
wear sports shoes and clean clothes have a shower pay before you play finish on time

But these things are not allowed:

disturb other players eat or drink out side the bar take club balls home

Put have to, don't have to or mustn't in the gaps.

+ You qp.n'[Link],t;o ........... wear white clothes, but you b.::IY~:t.o .... . .... wear sports shoes.
+ You [Link].n.':t . .. .............. disturb other players, but you !::lon't have tq__ be silent.
1 You .... ......... ... . ... .. ... ___ finish on t ime, but you ...... start on t ime.
2 You ............................................. play with club balls, but if you do, you . .... _... . ...... _..... take them home.
3 You ......... .. .. . ..... . ..... eat or drink outside the bar, but you .. ................. buy yourfood in
the bar if you don't want to.
4 You ....................................................... have a shower, and you ......................................... wear clean clothes.

94
 Modal verbs

Look at the signs and complete the sentences with don't have to or mustn't.

ANTIQUES + You ~pn't:have .tQ....... _. go in.

Please feel free to come in.
(No eating inside.) + You [Link].~n'k . ......................... eat inside.

Entry possible
30 minutes 1 You ... ...... . .. ...... ...... . .......... . arrive half an hour early.
before the concert. 2 You . . . ...... .. .. .......... ........ arrive late.
No late arrivals
allowed.

All vehicles - slow.

Drivers of large 3 Small vehicles ..... ......................... ......... wait.
vehicles, wait for 4 Drivers of large vehicles .......................................... cross alone.
guard before crossing.

STUDENTS!
Please be quiet - 5 Students make a noise.
4th-year exam 6 Third-year students . ...... ...... ... .. .............. ..... take the exam.
in progress.

LIBRARY
No talking. 7 You ...................... ........................... talk in the library.
Please leave books 8 You .................................................. put the books back on the shelves.
on tables.

SWIMMING POOL
Free swim today. 9 Swimmers . ... . ... ........ .... .. .......... pay today.
No eating. 10 Swimmers .. . .... ...... ....... .... . ........... eat or drink by the pool.
No drinking.

Put the words from the box in the gaps. Don't add any other words.
Does she have to has she has must mustn't ~ does she

Mark: We •n~ve ...... to get up early tomorrow.

Rob: Why?
1
Mark: Have you forgotten? Annie ..... ... ...... .. ...... to move to a new flat tomorrow, and I promised we
would help her.
2
Rob: ... .. have to move out by a particular time?
3
Mark: No, there's no rush. She doesn't .. . leave her old flat before the afternoon, but there
4 5
are lots of things that .. ... ... .... .. ...... to pack, so we ........ . ..... get there fairly early.
6
Rob: Why .. ............... . ......... . have to move, by the way?
Mark: She said that I 7 ...... ........................ tell you because she wants to tell you herself, when she sees you
tomorrow.

95
 D We use must, can't, may and could with an We use can't to talk about impossibility:
infinitive (e.g. be, go, come, earn): The Browns both have part-time jobs; they
can't earn much money. (= We can guess that
the Browns do NOT earn a lot of money.)
A: There's someone at the door. I think
D CERTAINTY
it's William.
B: lt can't be William. He's in Australia.
She must be rich.
look at this example with must: D ....----------,
POSSIBILITY

jasmine got top marks in her exams. She must

be very clever.(= From what we know, we
can be certain that Jasmine is very clever.)

We use must to say we are certain:

The Greens have two houses and two cars. look at this example with may:
They must earn a lot of money. (= We can
A: Eve's not in her room. Where is she?
be sure that the Greens earn a lot of money.)
B: She may be in the garden.(= From what
A: There's someone outside in an orange car.
we know, perhaps she is in the garden.)
B: lt must be Lucy. She's the only person I
know with an orange car. We use may, might and could for something
D IMPOSSIBILITY
that is possible but not certain, now or in
the future:
She can't be poor.
My sister might come tomorrow. (= From
look at this example with can't what we know, perhaps she will come.)
Mark studied hard for his exams, but he got Now look at this example with may not:
poor marks; he can't be very clever.
A: I've phoned Charlotte, but there's
(= From what we know, we can guess
that Mark is not very clever.) no answer.
B: She may not be at home. (oR She might
not be ...) (= Perhaps she is not at home.)
Could not is NOT possible here.

Complete the sentences using must or can't and the verbs from the box.
ee belong ~ come spend have like live want remember

+ Anna lived in America for three years, so she m.L!_s~..spe~t . English.

+ Tom's brother doesn't know anything about medicine, so he can't be a doctor.
Jasmine has an incredible number of albums. She .................... _ ... music a lot.
2 Peter doesn't speak German, so he ...... .. .. .. .. from Germany.
3 This jacket _ to Jessica because it's not her size.
4 That man around here because he doesn't know any of the street names.
5 Jack a lot of clothes. He wears something different every day.
6 Sam's grandmother is almost 100 years old, so she . the Second World War.
7 You've got ten cat s already. You ........................ to get another one.
8 Lucy buys a new dress every day. She . .. .... . ......... a lot of money on clothes.

96
 Modal verbs

Someone has robbed a bank. The police are sure that the criminal is one of these men. Look
at the pictures and complete the sentences using can't be, could be or must be.

Rogers

+ A witness says that the robber had short hair. If that's true, then it ca.n't b~. . Drake or Rogers,
but it fQulc\..be. ........ Hall.
+ A witness says that the robber had glasses. If that's true, then it ca.n't..~~ ... ...... Brown or Drake.
lt .m ust be either Hall or Rogers or Smith.
1 A witness says that the robber had black hair. If that's true, then it . . ............... Hall, but it
.................. Brown.
2 A witness says that the robber had a moustache. If that's true, then it ....... ....... ... .. ..... Rogers but it
Drake or Brown.
3 A witness says that the robber didn't have a beard. If that's true, then it ........................ Drake or Brown
but it Hall or Smith.
4 A witness says that the robber had a moustache, but no beard. If that's true, then it .......... .
Drake or Rogers. it Hall.
5 A witness says that the robber had black hair and wore glasses. If that's true, then it
Rogers. lt ............ ........... Hall.
6 And if what everyone says is true, then it ................ Smith.

Complete the dialogues with must, can't or might and the phrases from the box.
cost a lot of money se a selelier work long hours go to Portugal
come this weekend take much interest also be at the shops be at the gym

• Ruth:
James:
I think Anna's brother is in the army.
He ca.n'[Link] a. ~pldier . ; he's only 15.

Rob: What are you going to do next summer?

Lucy: I don't know. We .. , but it's not certain yet.

2 Jacob: Mike's new flat is all electric- kitchen, heating, everything.

Peter: That ........ in electricity bills.

3 Sa m: Is Mary coming to see us this week?

Ellie: lt depends on her work. She ....... .. if she finishes the project that
she's doing.

4 Laura: Have Noah and Kim got any children?

Tom: Yes, they have two children, but they .... ... .. . ... . in them, because they
never ta lk about them.

5 An drew: Do you see your new neighbours very much?

Sarah: No, they _.................................................................... because they are hardly ever at home.

6 Paul: Jacob's gone out, hasn't he? Where has he gone?

Anna: I don't know. He ........................................................................... or he ..... ................................................................. .

97
 't

D We use should with an infinitive (do, go, etc.): D We use the question form Should 1/we ...? to
ask for advice:

D The negative form is shouldn't:

What should I say to He/en?
You shouldn't sit in the sun all day.
I need a new passport. Where should I go?
They shouldn't spend so much money.
D We use I should or we should to say what ·
D We can say I think we should, I don't think
______you should, etc. to give an opinion:
is a good thing for us to do:
I should go home. lt's midnight.
We should invite them for a meal.

We use 1/we shouldn't to say that something is

a bad thing for us to do:
I shouldn't spend so much money.
I don't think you should believe everything
We use you should/shouldn't to give advice: he says.
You should look for a better job. We do not usually say:
You shouldn't drive so fast. I tHink yatt sMatt!tirt't ...
Should is not as strong as must or B We can use do you think I should ...? to ask
have to. Compare: for advice:
You should eat more fruit. {lt's a good idea.) He hasn't replied to my email. Do you think I
'You must eat more fruit,' said the doctor. should phone him?
(lt's very important.) What do you think I should give Tom for his
birthday?

Complete the sentences using the words in brackets ()and should or shouldn't.
+ You shouldn'[Link] (You/ work) so hard. Have a holiday.
+ I enjoyed that film. We ?hq_t,J,Id go . (We/go) to the cinema more often.
1 .. (You/park) here. it's not allowed.
2 What ...... (1/cook) for dinner tonight?
3 (You/wear) a coat. it's cold outside.
4 (You/smoke). it's bad for you.
5 (We/arrive) at the airport two hours before the flight.
6 (1/pay) now or later?
7 Do you think ... ... .. .. .. ..... . (1/apply) for this job?
8 What do you think ..... ..... . .. ... . ... ...... (1/write) in this space on the form?
9 ....... .. .. ... . ......... .. . (1/eat) any more cake. I've already eaten too much.
10 This food is terrible. ................................................................... (We/complain) to the manager.
11 Which shirt do you think .......................-............................ ............ ....... (1/buy)?

98
 Modal verbs

Henry is cooking a meal. Give him some useful advice. Use the advice from the box and you
should or you shouldn't.
DeA't le(ll,'e l:~e A'leal: iA t~e e·,·eA fer A'leFe l:~aA eAe ~eur.
Cut the onions as small as possible.
Use fresh herbs and fresh vegetables.
Don't put in too much salt and pepper.
Wait until the water boils before you put the vegetables into it.
Heat the oven before you put the meat in.

+ '(o,u shouldn't lt:;pv~.......................... the meat in the oven for more than one hour.
1 . .. .. .... ................................................... the onions as small as possible.
2 ....................................................................... fresh herbs and fresh vegetables.
3 .. ...... . . ... .. .... ..... . .. ... . in too much salt and pepper.
4 .................................... _.. - .... until the water boils before you put the vegetables into it.
5 .................................................................. the oven before you put the meat in.
6 the meat into four equal slices.

Write this conversation between Noah and Joseph using the words in brackets ( ). Use do or
should where required.
Noah: (I want to buy a motorbike. What/you/think/1/do?)
•[Link]. :!fQ .!?.lrlY a m.ot9rl?.i~§. . [Link]..floyou think I shoul.d do,?
Joseph: (You/look/at the advertisements in the papers.)
•..You shoJ,Jk~ lo.o.k. ~:[Link]:..~dvt:.rti~~.[Link]~. Qnline. ... . .. .. ......
Noah: (Which website/1/use?)

Joseph: (I think/you/go on/the 'What Bike?' website.)

2

Noah: (What/you/think/lido/before I buy a bike?)

3

Joseph: (1/not/think/you/decide/too quickly.)

4

(You/check/the condition of the bike.)

s

(You/ask/somebody who knows about bikes to look at the bike for you.)
6

(You/not/buy/one simply because it looks nice!)

7

(You/be/very careful.)
8

99
 D We use should, ought to and had better with D We can also use had better to give advice, to
an infinitive (e.g. be, go, ask, wait): say what is the best thing to do:

#should JO.
You ought to aslc.
We had htter wait.

D We use both should and ought to to ask for or

to give advice, to say what is the correct or best
thing to do:
A: I've got toothache. What should I do?
(=What is the best thing for me to do?) There'// be a lot of traffic tomorrow. We had
B: You should go to the dentist's. (oR We'd) better leave early.
(= The best thing for you to do is to go I had (oR I'd) better ask the doctor about the
to the dentist's.) pain in my stomach.

When we are talking about a duty or a law, Note that had is a past form, but it does not
we usually use ought to: refer to past t ime here; we use it to talk about
A: I saw a robbery. What should I do? present or future time.
B: You ought to report it to the police. We only use had better to give advice about a
(= lt is a person's duty to report it.) particular thing; when we give general advice,
we use should or ought to:
On the other hand, when we are giving a
personal opinion, we usually use should: When people are in trouble, they should go to
the police. (NOT .. . they had better go ttJ the
B: I think you should forget about it. polire.)
We use should much more than ought to in
The negative is had better not:
negatives and questions:
They had better not be late.
I shouldn't go. (oR I ought not to go.)
Should I go? (oR Ought I to go?)

Complete the sentences using the phrases from the box and should or shouldn't.
call an ambulance report it to tl:le police move the person yourself
drive home in her car touch anything eo aA~tAiA§ abo~t it
Eleciae fer Flerself give you a new cup make him do lots of sport
borrow money leave everything where it is ask someone to take her
let him eat so much

+ A: There is a house near my home where I often hear strange noises.

B: You .[Link]~[Link].t it tP th~ pql_ice...
+ A: My daughter wants to marry a man I don't like. What should I do about it?
B: In my opinion, you .shoul~n't do anything apout it ..
Your daughter should ~[Link],~.for her,self
A: If someone has a serious accident, what's the right thing to do?
B: Well, you ...................................................................................... . it 's not a good idea to move an injured person.
Instead, you .......................... ........... ..... .......... .................... ............ ........ to take the person to hospital.

100
 '

Modal verbs

2 A: Last Saturday I bought some coffee cups but one of the handles was broken.
What can I expect the shop to do?
B: They
3 A: My son is 12 years old and he's overweight.
B: Well, it's important not to eat too much, so you
Also, you .............. _...............
4 A: If you come home and see that you've been robbed, what's the best thing to do?
B: Well, you .......................... · .............................. ·- . .· You .. ..... .......................... ..
and call the police.
5 A: Mary can't work because she's feeling sick. How can she get home?
B: Well, she . .
She home.
6 People if they can't pay it back.

Use the sentences in brackets ( ) to write a reply with had better in the following dialogues.
+ A: I've got a headache.
B: (You should go and lie down.) You'd better go and lie down.
1 A: The children want to play in the kitchen.
B: (Well, they should clear everything away when they finish.)
Well, . when they finish.
2 A: I think it's going to rain.
B: (Yes, we ought to take our umbrellas.) Yes,
3 A: I'm going to go to bed now. We have to get up very early tomorrow.
B: (Yes, I should go to bed early too.) Yes,

Complete the dialogues using the correct form of the words in brackets ( ).
Use to or not if necessary.
+ A: Should Henry stay in bed?
B: No, the doctor said he shouldn't . (should) stay in bed.

A: Can we move that cupboard?

B: No, it 's very delicate, so you __ .. . _ (ought) leave it where it is.
2 A: Should we change these notices?
B: No, the show is still on, so we (should) change them until next week.
3 A: You'd better tell the boss about the accident immediately.
B: No, she's in a bad mod. I (had better) tell her until tomorrow.
4 A: Does the doctor say it's all right for Mrs Bradley to work?
B: Yes, but she must be careful. She (ought) lift anything heavy, for example.
5 A: Can they come before dinner?
B: No, we haven't got enough food, so they (had better) come after dinner.

101
- - - - - -- - - ---
 Need, needn't, needn't have

D We use the verb need to talk about things that

we must do. We use to + infinitive (e.g. to do,
to go) after need:
You needn't go

to the dentist's. (oR You don't need to

MGry needn~t buy Gny pa~nt.
After he/she/it we use needs: doan~ need to
Mary/She needs to buy some white paint.
We make negatives, questions and short We cannot use needn't before an object
answers with a form of do: (e.g. your coat); we must use don't need:
You don't need to go to the doctor's. You don't need your coat. lt's not cold outside.
· (NOT ¥8~:~ 11eed11't yo~:~r t6at.)
Mary doesn't need to buy any green paint.
A: Do you need to go to the dentist's? D We can use needed to for past time:
B: Yes, I do./No, I don't. They needed to clean everything before they
A: Does Mary need to buy any brushes? started to paint.
B: Yes, she does./No, she doesn't. The negative past simple form is didn't need to:
D We can also use need to talk about things that The room wasn't dirty so they didn't need to
we must get. Here we use an object after need: clean it before they started to paint it.
(= lt was not necessary to clean the room so
they didn't clean it.)
Mary needs some white paint.
We use needn't have + past participle to talk
I don't need a new car. about something that was done although it
Does Peter need wasn't necessary:
We needn't have lit the fire, because it was a
D To talk about what we do not need to do, we warm evening.(= We lit the fire, but it was
can use needn't. We use an infinitive not necessary to light it.)
(e.g. go, buy) after needn't. Needn't has the You needn't have bought any bread, )ames.
same meaning as don't/doesn't need to: There is plenty in the cupboard. (= You
bought some bread, but it was not
necessary.)

Use the statements in brackets ( ) to make questions and short answers.

+ (Tom needs to take [Link] clothes.)
Does Torn need to take some warm [Link] ? - Yes, he do~s
+ (She doesn't need to study hard.)
Does she need to study hard ? - No, she doesn't
(Jacob needs a ladder.)
? -Yes,
2 (We don't need to go to the shops.)
? - No,
3 (John doesn't need to leave before lunch.)
? - No,
4 (They need to check the train times.)
? - Yes,

102
 Modal verbs

Change each sentence in brackets ( ) into a negative sentence using needn't where possible.
If not possible, write a negative sentence with doesn't/don't need.
+ (Jasmine needs to pay James today.) J~!?J!li!1§..n~~dn'[Link]!Y J~rne..~ today, .
+ (The car needs new tyres.) The c;:ar dpesn't need new tyres.
1 (We need a lot of red paper.) ... .. .. . ........ .
2 (Mark needs to get everything ready today.) .. ................................ .
3 (Mary needs to leave at six o'clock.) ......
4 (Anna needs a new bag.) ..

When there are exams or competitions at Brightside School, the school provides certain
things for all the students, but there are other things that the school does not provide. Use
the information in the table to write sentences with need to bring or needn't bring.
Examinations The school provides: The school doesn't provide:
art exams paint brushes
maths exams rubbers pens and pencils
drawing exams paper rulers and pencils
tennis competitions balls racquets
football competitions shirts shorts and boots

+ (art exams/paint) For art exams. students needn't bring paint.

+ (tennis competitions/rackets) F.'ortennis competitions, stwdent~ need to bring ra~kets.
1 (maths exams/pens and pencils) ....
2 (football competitions/shirts)
3 (drawing exams/paper)
4 (art exams/brushes)
5 (tennis competitions/balls)
6 (football competitions/shorts and boots)
7 (maths exams/rubbers)
8 (drawing exams/rulers and pencils)

Rewrite the sentences using didn't need or needn't have and the correct form.
+ The programmes didn't cost us anything. We didn't pay for them.
We didn't have to pay for the programmes.
+ You took your umbrella yesterday but it didn't rain.
You needn't have taken your umbrella yesterday.
Charlotte paid for her holiday in advance, but it wasn't necessary.
Charlotte for her holiday in advance.
2 My sister spoke to Ellie yesterday, so I didn't phone her.
I . Ellie because my sister had spoken to her.
3 We bought extra food but now John and Mary can't come.
We extra food because John and Mary can't come.
4 Why did you work during the weekend? We don't have to finish until next week.
You during the weekend.
5 I didn't take my passport with me because an identity card was enough.
I my passport with me.

103
 - -
D Look at this example: D Now consider this situation:

Grace's job inclddes WDf'kinl on 5aturday. Last

5atullllly she was ilL so the didn't work:
Gn~ce Mtoultlltmle,.,..
but she was rll. So she
to....,. ltlst Sclturday,
at home.

We use should have (done/gone, etc.) to say

that something which did not happen was the
jasmine had to wait an hour f or a bus. correct or best action. We can also use should
have to criticize someone. Look at this example:
Had to wait means that Jasmine waited
because no bus came for an hour.
..._.._. . worker,didn'td~[Link] the
We use had to to talk about something that cows .,c into the wrons field:
someone did because it was necessary. Peter sfteuld have closed the te
If someone did not do something because it We use shouldn't have (done/gone, etc.) to say
was not necessary, we use didn't have to: that something which did happen was not the
I didn't have to work last Saturday. (= I didn't correct action:
work because it was not necessary.) I shouldn't have got angry with jasmine.
(= I got angry with Jasmine, but it was not a
The question form is did ... have to: good thing to do.)
Did you have to work last Saturday? Peter shouldn't have left the gate open.

Complete the dialogues with the words in brackets ( ) and had to or did . .. have to.
+ James: When you had that stom ach tro uble, did you have to (you) go into hospital?
Megan: No, I didn't have to (not) go into hospital, but I had to
stay in bed for a week.

Oliver: Was t here a translat ion in the exam?

Jasmine: No, we (not) t ranslate anything, but we
write three essays.

2 Anna: I was very busy yesterday.

William: What (you) do?
Anna: I prepare everything for today's meeting.

3 Nathan: (you) wear unifo rm w hen you were at school?

Abigail: Yes, and we make sure it was always neat and tidy.

4 Tom: What (you) do to get your international d riving licence?

Tin a: I show the po lice my national driving licence,
but I (not) take another d riving test.

5 Mark: Our children enjoyed t heir holiday at t he summer camp.

Mary: (they) help at mealt imes?
Mark: Well, they (not) make t he food, but they
.. (help) with the washing-up.

104
 Modal verbs

Complete the sentences with should have or shouldn't have for these situations.
• SITUATION: Raphael didn't take his medicine. Later he got very ill.
Raphael .!?.[Link] have tq_k~tl .. his medicine.
• SITUATION: Sara drove her car when she was tired and she had an accident.
Sara shouldn't haye clrivet:J. her car when she was tired.
SITUATION: Anthony didn't buy any sugar so he couldn't make a cake.
Anthony ... ... . .. ....... ... .. .. . . .. ... ... .. some sugar.
2 SITUATION: Ellie had a cold but she still went to the cinema. Later she had to stay in bed.
Ellie to the cinema.
3 SITUATION: Edward ate a lot of apples. Later he had stomach ache.
Edward . . ... ........ so many apples.
4 SITUATION: Lucy didn't lock the door to her flat when she went to buy a newspaper. While she was
away, someone stole her television.
Lucy ... the door when she went out.
5 SITUATION: Mary borrowed Tom's camera without asking him.
Mary . Tom's camera without asking him.

Some of the staff at the Information Office did not go to work last weekend because
they were ill. Look at the work timetable and complete the sentences using the words in
brackets ( ) and had to, didn't have to, or should have.
SATURDAY SUNDAY
Ondutl Comments Ondutl Comments
Jenny ./ Matt ./
Noah ill Mary ./
Jasmine ill lewis ill
Daniel ./ Laura ill

• (Jenny/Saturday) J~n1;1y h.;:~~ [Link]::k. on.$E!tur:-d.:;~y...

• (Matt/Saturday) M~.:tt .[Link]]"t; h.:w~ t9. work. OI'J $at!,Jr::day.
• (Laura/Sunday) [Link] . ;;houl~ h~ye Vo.'Qrke.~ 9n_$ynd,ay . but she was ill.
(Matt/Sun day) . . . ........... .
2 (Jasmine/Sunday) ...........
3 (Lewis/Sunday) ................ . . but he was ill.
4 (Mary/Saturday) . ..... . .....
5 (Noah/Saturday) ..•.... but he was ill.
6 (Daniel/Saturday) . ... .. ... . . ... .. . ... .....
7 (Jasmine/Saturday) .......................... ... .. but she was ill.
8 (Lewis/Saturday) ...... .......... ......... ....... . .... .•. . .......... .

105
 Chris is going to Carstairs College in Scotland. Miranda is already studying there. Cross out
the incorrect modal verb forms to complete their conversation.
Chris: •can I I Do I can ask you a few questions about Carstairs?
Miranda: Of course. 1You should I You ought to get as much information as possible before you go.
Chris: Do 2 1must I I have to wear a uniform?
Miranda: No, but 3 you must I you have dress smartly. You can't wear jeans.
4
Chris: Should I I Had I take my laptop with me?
Miranda: No, 5you don't ought I you don't need to! You have to write all your essays by hand!
Chris: What? Will 6 1be possible I I be able to use email?
Miranda: No, I'm afraid not. Carstairs is very old-fashioned. Anyway, when are you leaving?
7
Chris: 1managed I I cou ld to get a ticket for the train this evening. 8 1should I I must have reserved a
seat, though. 9 1can I I may have to stand all the way to Scotland.
10
Miranda: Should I better I Had I better give you a ring later and see how things are going?
Chris: Sure. Can I use my phone at college?
Miranda: Yes, don't worry. But 11you need I you must switch it off during the school day.
Chris: OK. Can you give me any more advice?
Miranda: Yes. 12You must I You ought visit the lake near the college. it's beautiful!

Olivia is emailing Sarah. The numbered words in the box are missing from the text. Put one
number only in the text at the right place.
1
able 2
have ~o 4
~ 5
managed 6
needn't 7
ought 8
couldn't 9
had

t
I've had a terrible day! I • have got up early, but I couldn't get out of bed! lt was

too late to go by bus, so I to get a taxi. Luckily, I to find one quite quickly. Of course,

when we arrived outside the office, I didn't have any money, so I pay the driver.

Anyway, I was to borrow some from the receptionist. I've paid her back already,

but do you think I to give her a present as well? My boss was waiting for me in her

office. I should arrived at nine o'clock, and I was half an hour late. I have taken a taxi

at all, though! She told me the company was closing, so I had find a new job!

Mr and Mrs Buck are deciding what to take with them on holiday. Rewrite the sentences
using the word in brackets ( ).
Mrs Buck: lt's not necessary to take the tent. (need)
•w.e..~QI'JJ. ne~d. :tq_:ta~e the _t;t;::nt.
We're not going camping again!
Mr Buck: The hotels will be full, possibly. (might)
1
The ............................................................................................................................ ............. ....... .................. .................... .

Mrs Buck: Then it w ill be necessary to sleep in t he car. (have)

2
Then we ........................................................................................................................................................................................ . ......... .. ........ . .... .

106
 Modal verbs

Mr Buck: Well, I think we've got everything we need. What's in that paper bag?
Mrs Buck: I'm sure it's the sun cream we got in Brighton. (must)
3
lt .... . .... ... ... . . ... . ...... ........ ....... ................................................................. - ........................................

Mr Buck: lt wasn't necessary to buy it. (needn't)

4
We .......... .............. ......-............ .......................
Mrs Buck: Is it a good idea to take it with us this time? (Should)
s 7
- .. .... . .......... ....... .. ....... .. .. ....... ······ ... ········· .......................... ··~· ·· ·· ·· · ............ .... .. ...... ····"········.
Mrs Buck: it's not possible for us to make the sun shine. (can't)
6
We .................................................... ....... _ ........... _ ...............................................................................................?
Mr Buck: The sun's always shining when you're with me, Maddie!
Mrs Buck: Are you feeling OK, George? Maybe you should have a rest. (better)
7

Michael is about to give a presentation. Use the words from the box to complete
what he's saying.
don't need to should have better start could you pass
mustn't forget might not should really Do I need to use got to finish

,. C~n yoiJ ......... .... ........... hear me at the back of the hall? . _. .... ...... .......... .......... .. . the
1

microphone? Oh dear, it isn't working! You 2 .. . ... . . .. move to the front if

3
you can. Excuse me, .. .................... ... ........ this information around? Thank you. Have
I brought enough copies? I haven't? I'm so sorry. Sir, I can see you don't have a seat,
but you 4 .. .. ....... ..... . .......... write anything in my presentation. I'll put everything

on my website. I 5.. ..... .. .... ... ... to give you the address at the end. Now, I've
6 7
. .. . ....... ..... .. in 30 minutes, so we'd ............. _ ............... . I'm sorry, Madam,
8
but you ..... _ ......... ..... . . .. ... .. be able to see the screen unless you move forward.
9
Anyway, 1 ............................................ started five minutes ago. Right, where are my notes?'

Four friends are in a cafe. If the underlined modal verb forms are wrong, correct them. If they
are right, put a tick (.1).
Tim: Is that your phone ringing, John?
John: Yes. lt can be • [Link] P,e Dave. He said he would ring about now. No, wait a
moment, it can't be • .t.. Dave. That's not his number. I wonder who it is.
Phi I: You'll have to 1 answer it if you want to know! Who's that by the window,
Tim? Is it Alice?
Tim: lt needn't be 2 .............· She's in New York. She must 3 ..... go there
on business last Monday.
Phi I: Then it must be 4 ... .. her sister or something.
John: That was someone called Louise on the phone. I don't know her ...
Phi I: But she should have 5 your number!
John: ... and she says she's in the cafe with us. By the window.
Tim: Really? Well, she could be 6 ........ . .. ......... ................... the girl who looks like AI ice.
7
John: Shall I .-......... .... ... .. ................ speak to her?
Phi I: You don't ought 8........................ ... .. .. ..... to, because she's coming over now.
Louise: Hi, John. I'm AI ice's cousin. She gave me your number.
9
John: Have a seat. Can 1 ........ ... ......................................... get you a coffee?

107