MODAL VERBS

VT
Belgrade, May
2013
Lecturer S. Savi
Introduction


The modal verbs include can, must, may, might,
will, would, should.

They are used with other verbs to express
ability, obligation, possibility...
Form
They do not change their form (spelling) and
they have no infinitive or participle
(past/present).

The modals must and can need substitute
verbs to express obligation or ability in the
different tenses.
Meaning
Modal Meaning Example
can to express ability I can speak a little Russian.
can to request permission Can I open the window?
may to express possibility I may be home late.
may to request permission May I sit down, please?
must to express obligation I must go now.
must to express strong belief She must be over 90 years old.
should to give advice You should stop smoking.
would to request or offer Would you like a cup of tea?
would in if-sentences If I were you, I would say sorry.
Exercise

1. There is plenty of tomatoes in the fridge. You ______ buy any.

2. It's a hospital. You _______ smoke.

3. He had been working for more than 11 hours. He _____ be tired after
such hard work. He ______ prefer to get some rest.

4.I _____ speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we lived in
Morocco. But after we moved back to Canada, I had very little exposure
to the language and forgot almost everything I knew as a child. Now,
I _____ just say a few things in the language.

5. The teacher said we _____ read this book for our own pleasure as it is
optional. But we _____ read it if we don't want to.
Exercise
6. ________ you stand on your head for more than a minute?
No, I ________. .
7. If you want to learn to speak English fluently, you ____to
work hard.
8. Take an umbrella. It ______ rain later.
9. You _______ leave small objects lying around . Such
objects ______ be swallowed by children.
10. People _______ walk on grass.
11. Drivers _____ stop when the traffic lights are red.
12. _____ I ask a question? Yes, of course.
13. You ______ take your umbrella. It is not raining.
14. ______ you speak Italian? No, I ________.
Links
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interact
ivemodal8.htm
http://www.learnenglish-
online.com/grammar/modals/tests/modaltest
2.html
http://usefulenglish.ru/grammar/modal-
verbs-exercise-eight