What does can't in You can't be serious express: ability, deduction or prohibition?
Which modals can be used to express suggestions, offers and requests?
What is the difference in usage between can and may for permission?
What is the difference in usage between used to and would for past habits?
Can will be used to refer to past time?
Exercises: modals
Modals - Exercise 1
Match the sentences with the meanings of modals.
Can you tell me the way to the nearest ATM?
Can you swim?
Can I help you?
You must not use a dictionary during the exam.
She must have been feeling lonely.
You must tell me the truth.
Shall we order something?
You should've asked me first.
They might be taking a nap.
We needn't have hurried after all.
ability
criticism
deduction
necessity
obligation
offer
possibility
prohibition
request
suggestion
Modals - Exercise 2
Match the sentences which have a similar meaning.
It wasn't a good idea for her to buy that car.
It would be a good idea for her to buy that car.
I'm sure she bought that car.
It's possible that she bought that car.
It wasn't necessary for her to buy that car, but she did.
It isn't necessary for her to buy that car.
Her plan is to buy that car.
She has enough money to buy that car.
She had enough money but she didn't buy that car.
It's possible that she won't buy that car.
She can buy that car.
She could have bought that car.
She is going to buy that car.
She may have bought that car.
She might not buy that car.
She must have bought that car.
She needn't buy that car.
She needn't have bought that car.
She should buy that car.
She shouldn't have bought that car.
Modals - Exercise 3
Choose the best answer for each of the following sentences.
You ... so much fast food! It's very unhealthy.
needn't eat
shouldn't eat
don't have to eat
I'm not sure, but I think I ... in the garden when the postman came.
may have been weeding
can have been weeding
must have been weeding
... a bit louder? It's very noisy in here.
Need you talk
Must you talk
Would you talk
You ... in this part of the restaurant. There's a No Smoking sign!
mustn't smoke
needn't smoke
don't have to smoke
Oliver left early last night and we ... in touch with him since.
couldn't get
weren't able to get
haven't been able to get
... the wrong number?
Could I have dialled
Must I have dialled
Need I have dialled
Sorry, I'm late. I ... some shopping.
must have done
had to do
need to do
You ... me you were not coming. I was expecting you. Why didn't you call?
might have told
must have told
had to tell
You ... lost! Next time take a map with you.
could have got
may have got
should have got
That was a long journey. You ... exhausted!
have to be
must be
can be
Modals - Exercise 4
Complete each sentence with one of the following modals and the appropriate form of the verb in brackets.
can, could, had better, have to, may, need, used to, will
Isabella ... here for very long. She only speaks a few words of Hungarian. (NOT LIVE)
Look at all the leftover sandwiches! We ... so much food for the party. (NOT PREPARE)
Can you see that turn left sign? It means we ... left here. (TURN)
It was a great time, and I ... happier. (NOT BE)
You ... packing if you want to catch the 3.30 plane. (START)
I ... much when I was in secondary school, but now I do. (NOT READ)
... you ... this for me, please? (HOLD)
Pupils ... in the corridor. It's a school rule. (NOT RUN)
We ... more often, don't you think? (GO OUT)
... I ... you something to drink? (GET)
Modals - Exercise 5
Complete the questions with the modals below and then discuss them with your partner. Ask for more information.
be able to, be allowed to, be going to, can, could, have to, should, used to, will, would
... you play a musical instrument?
... you swim when you were 6 years old?
... you like to ... speak five languages?
Did you ... wear a uniform when you were at school?
Do you think you ... study harder?
... you stay out late when you were a teenager?
Do you think you should ... use your mobile during an exam?
Is there any food that you ... like but you don't like now?
What ... you ... do after this lesson?
Do you think you ... ever speak perfect English?
Answer key: modals
Answer key - Modals - Exercise 1
Can you tell me the way to the nearest ATM? (9) request
Can you swim? (1) ability
Can I help you? (6) offer
You must not use a dictionary during the exam. (8) prohibition
She must have been feeling lonely. (3) deduction
You must tell me the truth. (5) obligation
Shall we order something? (10) suggestion
You should've asked me first. (2) criticism
They might be taking a nap. (7) possibility
We needn't have hurried after all. (4) necessity
Answer key - Modals - Exercise 2
It wasn't a good idea for her to buy that car. (10) She shouldn't have bought that car.
It would be a good idea for her to buy that car. (9) She should buy that car.
I'm sure she bought that car. (6) She must have bought that car.
It's possible that she bought that car. (4) She may have bought that car.
It wasn't necessary for her to buy that car, but she did. (8) She needn't have bought that car.
It isn't necessary for her to buy that car. (7) She needn't buy that car.
Her plan is to buy that car. (3) She is going to buy that car.
She has enough money to buy that car. (1) She can buy that car.
She had enough money but she didn't buy that car. (2) She could have bought that car.
It's possible that she won't buy that car. (5) She might not buy that car.
Answer key - Modals - Exercise 3
You ... so much fast food! It's very unhealthy. (2) shouldn't eat
I'm not sure, but I think I ... in the garden when the postman came. (1) may have been weeding
... a bit louder? It's very noisy in here. (3) Would you talk
You ... in this part of the restaurant. There's a No Smoking sign! (1) mustn't smoke
Oliver left early last night and we ... in touch with him since. (3) haven't been able to get
... the wrong number? (1) Could I have dialled
Sorry, I'm late. I ... some shopping. (2) had to do
You ... me you were not coming. I was expecting you. Why didn't you call? (1) might have told
You ... lost! Next time take a map with you. (1) could have got
That was a long journey. You ... exhausted! (2) must be