We use the modal verbs to ask permission, ask something in a polite way, talk about
abilities or make a request.
CAN COULD MAY
MIGHT SHOULD WOULD
MUST OUGHT TO HAVE TO
Can / abilities, inabilities, ask for permission, give or deny it.
• I can drive a car.
• Mario can’t cook.
• Can I go to the party tonight? No, you can’t go.
• Can you help me with my homework, please?
Could / ask in a polite form, talk about abilities in the past.
• When I was a child, I could run long distances.
• Cristian broke his leg two months ago; he couldn’t walk properly.
• Martha, could you please tell me, what time is it?
May / talk about possibilities in the future, give permission or instructions.
• If we don’t feel tired, we may go to the cinema tonight.
• You may leave if you like.
• You may use your cellphones right now.
Might / talk about possibilities
• If I finish my homework on time, I might go with you.
• I will bring an umbrella it might rain later.
Should / give advices, suggestions
• If you feel bad you should go to the doctor.
• We want to go out later we should finish cleaning our room.
Would / ask in a polite form, desire
• Would you help me with my essay?
• Would you like some coffee?
• I would like to travel to New York one day.
Must / obligation
• If you want to be a good citizen, you must respect the law.
• You mustn’t throw the trash in the street.
Ought to / give advices, suggestions or suppositions
• You ought to study more.
• Lisa ought to stay at home
Have to / external obligation
• When you drive a car, you have to use the seatbelt.
Choose the correct modal verb for the sentences below.
1. You must / should / shouldn’t be 18 before you can drive in Spain.
2. We may / must / should take a rest before going to work.
3. You don’t have to / mustn’t / shouldn’t go to bed so late. It’s not good for you.
4. You don’t have to / mustn’t / shouldn’t wear a school uniform in most English state
schools.
5. Miriam could / can / might / go to the party tonight; she is not sure about it.
6. May / Can / Could I come in?
7. Students don’t have to / shouldn’t / mustn’t copy during exams.
8. You don’t have to / shouldn’t / mustn’t be very tall to play football.
9. Could / Can / Would you like some coffee?
10. Terry can’t / couldn’t / shouldn’t play the guitar but now he can.
Complete the sentences with must or have to in positive or negative forms.
1. Brilliant! I __________________________
have not to study tonight because I’ve finished my
exams.
2. You __________________________
must not use a mobile phone on a plane.
3. You can go out, but you __________________________
must be home by midnight.
4. Joan __________________________
does not have to go to school by bus. She lives nearby.
5. We __________________________
don’t have to cook tonight. We can get a pizza.
6. She __________________________
have to get up early. She’s on holiday.
7. You __________________________
must study harder or you are going to fail.
8. You __________________________
must not drive faster than 120 km/h on the motorway.
Choose the correct modal verb.
1. I can / can’t /might go out tonight. I’m too busy.
2. I haven’t studied enough. I may / may not / might pass my exams.
3. I could / couldn’t / might be there next weekend.
4. They say it can / could not / might snow tomorrow.
5. She can / might not / should help us. She’s not available.
6. Can / May / Might you come to my party?
7. We should run or we could / might / must miss the bus.
8. I don’t know, but I can / couldn’t / may be late.
9. Alice and I must / would / have to like to go to the cinema.
10. Paris should / must / could take a pill if he feels sick.
Fill in the blanks with a modal verb.
1. ____________________ I borrow your rubber, please? Yes, of course you ________.
2. My friend is getting married today, she ____________________ feel very nervous.
3. Next year I think you ____________________ to translate any report into your own
language.
4. Don’t touch that wire because it ____________________ be dangerous.
5. I ____________________ swim quite well when I was five years old.
6. Sonia ____________________ practice so much if she wants to take part in the
marathon.
7. You ____________________ cook those vegetables because they have already
cooked.
8. The girl ____________________ go to the studio for an audition.
9. That diamond bracelet is very elegant but it ____________________ have cost a
fortune.
10. If you are interested in human life, you ____________________ study biology.
11. He is applying for a job at the university. He ____________________ get it.
12. That house was really important in her life so she ____________________ sell it.
13. I’m not sure but perhaps Robert ____________________ leave for Australia soon.
14. You ____________________ have shouted at Thomas yesterday. He is very sorry.
15. Look it has stopped raining. We ____________________ go for a walk in the
country.
16. The old woman ____________________ fall on the street and break a leg. She
____________________ carry a stick.
17. Sheila didn’t go to work yesterday. She ____________________ be ill in bed.
18. Last Christmas party was fabulous, you ____________________ have to come with
me.
19. I’ve lost my keys. I ____________________ have dropped them when I went
shopping.
20. It’s prohibited to go into that building. You ____________________ go in.
21. Patricia is driving a new car. She ____________________ have bought it.
22. My dictionary isn’t in my schoolbag. I ____________________ have left it at home.
23. The boy ____________________ help his parents in the farm during the summer
holidays.
24. Look! The lights are off so the library ____________________ be closed.
