ABILITY / DISABILITY:

CAN/CAN’T I can ski. I can’t cook.

Past: COULD/COULDN’T
Future: WILL/WON’T BE ABLE TO

PERMISSION / POLITE REQUEST:

CAN/COULD (among friends) Can I borrow your pen? Yes, you can.
MAY/MIGHT (formal) May I leave the class ? No, you may not.
Past: WAS/WERE ALLOWED TO
Future: WILL/WON’T BE ALLOWED TO

POSSIBILITY / IMPOSSIBILITY:
CAN/CAN’T // COULD/COULDN’T You can get hurt. I couldn’t be wrong.
MAY/MAY NOT // MIGHT/MIGHT NOT You may be right. They might not come.
Past: IT WAS/WASN’T POSSIBLE
Future: IT WILL/WON’T BE POSSIBLE

OBLIGATION / PROHIBITION:
MUST/MUSTN’T I must stop at this ‘stop’ sign.
HAVE TO I have to clean my room every weekend.
Past: HAD TO
Future: WILL HAVE TO

NO NECESSITY:
NEEDN’T You needn’t go to school today because its holiday.
DON’T HAVE TO I don’t have to clean my room every day.
Past: DIDN’T HAVE TO
Future: WON’T HAVE TO

ADVICE:
SHOULD/OUGHT TO You should / ought to study more. You shouldn’t smoke.

SUGGESTION:
SHALL we have a party? LET’S have a party. WHY DON’T WE have a party?

OFFER:
WOULD you like some tea? CAN/COULD/SHALL I help you?
Underline the correct answer.
1. You mustn’t/shouldn’t have any problems with Jack. He’s such a good baby.
2. You don’t have to/mustn’t use cream in this sauce, but it makes it much tastier.
3. I couldn’t/wouldn’t watch my favourite TV programme because Sue rang up for a long chat.
4. Timmy’s so stubborn. He just can’t/won’t do what he’ told.
5. I’m afraid Cannot/may not come to your wedding as I’m on holiday in Australia.
6. I was able to/ could get 10% of the marked price by paying in cash.
7. I should have gone/had to go to visit Uncle Tom in hospital after work, but I was too tired.
8. You don’t have to/mustn’t say a word about this to your mother. It’s a surprise.

Will should can ought to could must may have to might

1. You _______________ get your hair cut. It’s much too long.
2. ______________ I ask you a questions?
3. Young children_______________ be carried on this escalator.
4. You ______________never get a seat on this train. It’s always packed.
5. I ________________be studying Mandarin Chinese next year.
6. I ________________already speak five languages fluently.
7. You’ll_______________ work much harder if you want to pass.
8. It’s Saturday night. There _______________be something good on TV.
9. You ______________leave your valuables in the hotel safe.
10.You_______________be over 1m 60 cm tall to be an air hostess.

Deductions about the present and past

Complete the sentences, putting the verbs in brackets into the correct form

1. “I wonder how the thief got into our apartment.” “He______________________(could/use) the fire
escape or he _________________ (might/climb up) that tree.”
2. “I saw Harry waving someone off in a taxi.” “That ____________________________ (would/be) is cousin
from Australia.”
3. “Bill told me that he’d spent L50, ooo on a birthday present for is girlfriend, but
he__________________(may/joke).He________________(can’t/spend) that much.” “I think you
______________________________(must/mishear) him.
4. “It’s five past eleven. Ken and Cathy’s plane _________________________________
___________________________(should/touch down) in Kennedy Airport right now . “Your watch
__________________________(must/be) slow. It’s nearly half past. Their plane
________________________already ___________________(will/land) .
5. “Bring very warm clothes. It_______________________ (could/snow) when we arrive. It
____________________(can/snow) in the mountains even in summer.?
6. What are all those people doing with those lights and cameras? They ______________(must/make) a film

USING THE CORRECT FORM OF THE MODAL VERB IN CAPITALS REWRITE THE SENTENCES SO THAT THE MEANING IS
ALMOST IDENTICAL

1. You are not allowed to walk on the grass

_______________________________________________________________MAY
2. Please stop talking
______________________________________________________________COULD
3. Do you have to leave soon?
_______________________________________________________________MUST
4. I don’t believe it’s ten o’clock
________________________________________________________________CAN
5. You’d better call the police
______________________________________________________________SHOULD
6. Perhaps he lost the address
_______________________________________________________________MIGHT
7. Why don’t you go to the library?
_______________________________________________________________COULD
8. Please sit down
_________________________________________________________________WILL
9. He apologised, but it wasn’t necessary
_________________________________________________________________NEED
10. I was wrong to say it was your fault
_______________________________________________________________SHOULD
11. He wasn’t able to lift the piano
________________________________________________________________COULD
12. It’s forbidden to enter the building
___________________________________________________________________CAN
13. It’s just possible that the phone is out of order
_________________________________________________________________MIGHT
14. He used to smoke his pipe in the evenings
_________________________________________________________________WOULD
15. She doesn’t work hard enough
__________________________________________________________________OUGHT
16. We didn’t call the doctor because it wasn’t necessary
___________________________________________________________________NEED
17. Do you know how to make an omelette?
___________________________________________________________________CAN
18. Why don’t we go for a walk?
__________________________________________________________________SHALL
19. Perhaps there has been an accident
__________________________________________________________________COULD
20. You’re not allowed to look
____________________________________________________________________MUST
21. It’s possible that she’s visiting her parents
___________________________________________________________________MAY
22. You can tell he’s making a lot of money
_____________________________________________________________________MUST

Which on the words in the box will fit the sentences?

Often there is more than one possibility.

MODALS REWRITE
1. It’s a good idea to take warn clothes with you if you go climbing
2. It’s necessary for deep sea divers to use oxygen tanks
3. It is prohibited to surf here, it’s dangerous
4. Alex has the ability to run marathon
5. It’s not a good idea to do bare jumping if you are scared of heights
6. It’s unnecessary for you to come if you don’t want to
7. Karen had the ability to swim from an early age
8. It wasn’t a good idea for you to walk home late last night
9. It was unnecessary for Gary to clean the house
10. I didn’t have the ability to drive until I had lessons last year
11. It was unnecessary for Ann to go to the lecture this morning
12. It’s possible that they missed the plane
13. I’m sure that Jack didn’t win the race, he’s very unfit
14. Perhaps you left your wallet at home
15. I’m certain that he hurt himself when he feel
16. It’s impossible that you saw Helen. She’s in Paris
 17. I’m sure that you dropped your ticket
18. I’m sure that they didn’t liken the music. They didn’t dance all night
19. I’m sure the cat is in the flat somewhere
20. Maybe Mark left his book on the desk
21. I’ certain that they have gone home early
22. Perhaps she’s the new dance teacher
23. I’m sure that Jim hasn’t got the front door key
24. It’s impossible that you spent all the money yesterday
25. It’s possible that they over slept
26. I’m certain that Dave passed his exam
27. If you want my advice, get a good lawyer
28. A university degree isn’t necessary for that job
29. Perhaps my father will pick you up
30. It is necessary to make an appointment at the hairdresser’s
31. Eating is forbidden in class
32. The boss allows the workers to have one afternoon free
33. Don’t take the record without my permission
34. She hasn’t phone. Perhaps she is abroad
35. Perhaps Mike will be too busy to see us
36. I suggest you go and see the doctor
37. The was silly of Bob to be rude to his teacher
38. Maybe the concert was cancelled because nobody bought the tickets
39. The lawyer was expected to win the case, but he didn’t
40. Their plane probably crashed over the jungle
41. Jill is not playing. I’m sure she is tired
42. Pam passed the exam but she cheated
BE POSSIBLE
43. We expected him to pass his exam but the didn’t
44. There is no possibility that Mark was involved in the crime
45. I’m sure that Helen feels really lonely
46. It would be a very good idea if Harry took a holiday
47. I’m sure that Brenda isn’t over 30
48. Do I need a different driving licence for a motorbike?
49. What would you advise me to do?
50. Mary knows how to stand on her head
51. You needn’t come with me if you don’t want to
52. It’s possible for anyone to break into this house
53. The dentist will see you again soon. I don’t think he’ll be long
54. It was a mistake to park out side the police station
55. It was unnecessary for you to clean the floor
56. I’m sure that Liz hasn’t met Harry before
57. Ann possibly hasn’t left yet
58. I’m sure they haven’t eaten all the food, it’s not possible
59. Jack is supposed to have arrived an hour ago
60. Perhaps Pam and Tim decided not to come

REWRITE USING THE MODAL IN BRACKETS

1. I expect we will get there by 500 if there isn’t too much traffic (SHOULD)
2. Is it necessary for me to bring my passport? (HAVE)
3. I’m sure the cat is In somewhere in the house (MUST)
4. An aerial is not required with this radio (HAVE)
5. I’m sure that Jim isn’t the thief (CAN’T)
6. All students should report to the main hall at 900 (HAVE)
7. I thought you would the answer (OUGHT)

REWRITE USING THE CORRECT FORM OF THESE MODALS

CAN------COULD------MUST------HAVE TO------SHOULD

1. You aren’t allowed to park here

2. It would be a good idea if harry took a holiday
3. I’m sure that Brenda is over 30
4. Do I need a different driving licence?
5. What would you advise me to do?
6. Mary knows how to stand on her head
7. You needn’t come wit me if you don’t want to
8. It’s possible for every one to break into this house

MIGHT------MIGHT NOT------MUST------MUSTN’T-----CAN-----CAN’T
1. She says she’s stuck in the traffic and she ………………………..be late
2. You really …………………start spending more time on your work
3. Tell Peter he……………………stay the night if he wants
4. That’s a really stupid idea, you …………………..be serious
5. You ……………….realise it, but this is very important to me
6. Don’t be silly, you ………..expect me to believe you
7. Me learnt to fly!!! You ……………be joking
8. Bill cooked the lunch so you ……………….expect anything special

MIGHT HAVE----MUST HAVE----CAN’T HAVE

1. It’s possible that they missed the bus

________________________________________________________________________

2. I’M sure that Jack didn’t win the race

_________________________________________________________________________
3. Perhaps you left the wallet at home
________________________________________________________________________
4. I’m certain that he hurt himself when he fell
________________________________________________________________________
5. It’s impossible that you saw Helen at the party
______________________________________________________________ _________

6. I’m sure that you dropped your ticket

________________________________________________________________________
7. Maybe Chris decided not to come
________________________________________________________________________

8. I’m sure that they didn’t like the music, they didn’t dance
_______________________________________________________________________

9. There’s a possibility that Jake has turned off his mobile

_____________________________________________________________________ _

10. I’m sure that David wasn’t at the library this morning
_______________________________________________________________________
11. It’s impossible that you saw Ann with Rachel’s boyfriend
_______________________________________________________________________