MODAL VERBS 11 Ano

Ano letivo 2011/2012

1.

Modal verbs are auxiliaries used to express some particular intention or meaning. The following verbs are modals: could, may, might, will, would, shall, must, ought.

a)

They have no infinitive or participle forms:

Must, can, shall, etc b) They take no s in the 3rd person singular:

She should study more. c) They form the negative and interrogative forms without do:

Can I give you a lift? d) They are followed by an infinitive without to:

You must buy a new coat You ought to accept the present.

2.

They express:

Ability can could

Permission can could may might

Deduction must cant

Intention will

Prohibition cant mustnt

Request can could

Make offers shall (I) can (I) will

Possibility could may

Probability might

Suggestion shall (we)

Obligation should/ ought must

Advice should ought

PRACTICE: A. Fill in the gaps with can, cant, must, mustnt, have to or neednt/dont have to. 1. You ________ park the car in this area. 2. You ________ fasten your seat-belt.

3. My mother will ________ work till late. well.

4. My father ________ play tennis very

5. Tomorrow is Saturday, so we ________ go to school. 6. You ________ buy me a present. 7. Do you ________ call your parents? weekend? 9. Peter ________ swim but his little sister,________ you a lift. 10.You ________ go by taxi. Ill give 8. ________ I go camping with you this

B. Match the functions with the modal verbs in the sentences below: 1. suggestion 10 2. request 3. ability 4. prohibition 5. seeking permission . 6. possibility 7. duty 8. obligation 9. advice . 10. probability j. Will you help me with the homework? . f. Mum might give us some money for the party. g. John can speak French quite well. h. You must deliver your homework by tomorrow. i. Parents should play with their children. . . b. Can I open the window, Jane? c. Shall we go to the concert?. d. No, you mustnt run in the corridors. . . . a. The weather forecast says it may rain today.

e. You should care more about your health, Tom.

C. Choose the right modal verb to fit in the sentence.

1- Oh dear! I __________ understand his handwriting. a. can; b. cant; c. may; d. should

2- Im sorry but you __________ speak loud in the library. a. mustnt; b. shall; c. can; d. may

3- I __________ play football today. I twisted my ankle in the gym class.

a. will;

b. shouldnt;

c. cant; d. mightnt

4- __________ you pass me the sugar, please? a. Shall; b. Should; c. Will; d. Cant

5- John __________ be very proud of his marks. He had five As. a. cant; b. must; c. shall; d. may

6- When I was a child I __________ run for hours without a break. a. should; b. could; c. cant; d. might

D. Rephrase the following sentences using modal verbs. Refer to the italicised expressions and make all necessary changes

1. You had better reserve a table at the restaurant. You should reserve a table at the restaurant. 2. Why dont we go to the cinema tonight? _________________________________________________________ 3. When she won the lottery she was able at last to buy her dream house. __________________________________________________________ 4. You arent allowed to smoke here. __________________________________________________________ 5. It is likely that she is on holiday __________________________________________________________ 6. Ann has no ability to play any musical instruments. __________________________________________________________ 7. Everybody is obliged to behave well in class. __________________________________________________________ 8. It is likely that the weather will change in the afternoon. __________________________________________________________

Good work!