MODAL VERBS

a) I'm sure it isn't true.

b) I'm sure that he is exhausted after such a long flight.
c)

The book is optional. We can read it if we want to.

d) I think you worry too much.

e) It was impossible to do the job if you didn't speak German fluently.
f)

The PC isn't working. I think it has been damaged during the move.

g) I think the answer in the book is wrong.

h) It's not essential to be rich to be a success.
i)

Jim didn't hear the speaker. The crowd was shouting so loudly.

j)

To hold my breath for more than a minute is impossible for me.

k)

I can't stand all this. I 'm going to get out of here.

l)

I think taking along some cash would be a good idea.

m) To turn on the machine, press this switch.

n) I'm sure it isn't true.
o) I'm sure that he is exhausted after such a long flight.
p) The book is optional. We can read it if we want to.
q) I think you worry too much.
r)
s)

It was impossible to do the job if you didn't speak German fluently.

The PC isn't working. I think it has been damaged during the move.

t) I'm sure it isn't true.

u)

I'm sure that he is exhausted after such a long flight.

v)
The book is optional. We can read it if we want to.
REPHRASING MODALS
1.

Taking my computer without saying a word to me was the wrong thing to do.

2.

Its necessary to wear uniform to work with this firm.

3.

Perhaps Jane is in the garden now.

4.

It is idiot from her to take so much fat.

5.

It was obligatory for them to knock at the door before entering.

6.

Im sure she wont come to the meeting.

7.

I dont let my son stay out after 11.

8.

It is good for us to practice more exercise.

9.

Theres a tiny opportunity for her to get that job.

10. Why dont we talk about our last match?

11. It wasnt a good idea to leave the mobile on the table while she wasnt looking.
12. Were sure they will win the next election.
13. My friend learnt to play cricket when he was living in England.
14. It isnt obligatory to knock at the door before entering.
15. It is forbidden to ring play any loud music after 12 at night.
16. Its possible their parents lent them the money for their new house.
17. Its time for us to go home.
18. Laws dont allow young people to drive before they are 18.
19. Im sure that isnt Joe; hes much taller.
20. After several attempts we finally reached the top of the mountain.
REWRITE EXPRESSING THE SAME IDEA AS THE ORIGINAL SENTENCE AND USING MODALS
AND SEMI MODALS.
1.

It isnt necessary to phone before you visit me. (2 possibilities)

2.

Taking the book without permission was the wrong thing to do. (3)

3.

Perhaps John is at school now. (3)

4.

Chewing gum is forbidden in class. (1)

5.

I suggest you get a second opinion. (3)

6.

He isnt here. Perhaps he went home. (3)

7.

I expected him to pass his driving test, but he failed. (2)

8.

If you want my advice, see a doctor! (2)

9.

The teacher allows students to leave early on Fridays. (2)

10. Perhaps the post will arrive soon. (3)

11. A driving licence isnt necessary for that job. (2)
12. It was wrong of you not to wait for him. (2)
13. We expected him to win the prize, but he didnt. (2)
14. She hasnt called me. She probably didnt remember my number. (1)
15. I suppose he bought you a birthday gift. (1)
16. What a pity the boy didnt apply for a grant in advance. (2)
17. The flight has gone and they are still at the airport. (1)
18. It was stupid of me to try and push the car on my own. (2)
19. My bag has simply disappeared. Someone (1)
20. You made a big mistake leaving the car unlocked. (2)
21. It was stupid of Alan to be rude to his boss. (2)
22. Perhaps he telephoned, but I was out earlier. (3)
23. I found pieces of glass on the floor. Someone (1)
24. The flowers are dead. The gardener (1)
25. Its possible a bank loaned them the money. (3)

26. The student didnt take the job despite their offer. (1)
27. Even if the children are hungry I dont think its right for them to eat so many cream
cakes.
28. I dont think its very likely that John will win the race, but its just possible. (1)
29. If Peter goes to that school, they will insist on him learning to swim. (1)
30. Mary is not trying to slim. You saw her eating roast potatoes. (1)
31. There was probably some trouble at the football match. The crash barriers had been
broken down. (1)
32. You are sure they havent sold all the tickets for the Cup Final. (1)
33. Thats not the college sports ground. Its much too small. (1)
REPHRASING
1. You can leave him on his own: he's old enough.
There's no reason
why_______________________________________________________________
2. It was not necessary to go.
We
needn't___________________________________________________________________
_
3. I don't think he really meant to say that.
He
can't_____________________________________________________________________
__
4. You should have written to him earlier.
Why______________________________________________________________________
____
5. I suppose he missed his train.
He
must_____________________________________________________________________
__
6. I would prefer not to inform the staff about my departure, if you don't mind.
I'd
rather____________________________________________________________________
__
7. It is possible that Shakespeare wrote this play.
Shakespeare
may_______________________________________________________________
8. It wasn't necessary for you to buy that book.

You
needn't___________________________________________________________________
_
9. The thieves very probably had an accomplice in the bank.
The thieves
must________________________________________________________________
10. The train will probably be late.
The train
is_____________________________________________________________________
11. I don't think dinosaurs were right to go on smoking.
Dinosaurs
shouldn't______________________________________________________________
12. You should stop smoking!
If I were
you____________________________________________________________________
13. Maybe the cartoonist overestimated the public's sense of humour.
The
cartoonist_________________________________________________________________
_
14. In the past he visited his grandparents every Sunday.
He________________________________________________________________________
____
15. I prefer dogs to cats.
I would
rather__________________________________________________________________
16. Why didn't you have a rest?
You
should____________________________________________________________________
_
17. It was wrong of you not to have done your homework.
You_______________________________________________________________________
____
18. Susan would prefer to go to Scotland next summer.
__________________________________________________________________________
____
19. "Will you have lunch here or in a restaurant?"
I'd
rather____________________________________________________________________
__
20. I'd prefer to live in a house rather than in a flat.
Id________________________________________________________________________
____
21. The weather's awful: you'd better stay at home!
If
I_________________________________________________________________________
___

22. For the next holidays I prefer the Mediterranean coast to the mountains.
For the next holidays I'd
rather_____________________________________________________
23. You may do it only if you get special permission.
You aren'
t_____________________________________________________________________
24. Perhaps you forgot your pen in the other room.
You_______________________________________________________________________
____
25. You should read this text seriously.
You'd
better____________________________________________________________________
26. I would prefer not to be here when he comes.
I'd
rather____________________________________________________________________
__
27. Perhaps he phoned while we were out.
He
may______________________________________________________________________
__
28. You needn't come if you don't want to.
You _________________________________________________________ if you don't
want to.
29. Tell him we'd prefer to go fishing.
Tell him we____________________________________________________________go
fishing.
30. I'm certain they ran away through a tunnel.
They____________________________________________________________through a
tunnel.
Rewrite the following sentences using the modal or the modal perfect form of the verb in
brackets. You may need to form the negative.
1. He didn't have to come so early; nobody is here yet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Is it possible that he spoke to her this morning?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Perhaps they're working outside in the garden.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------4. She intended to go to the cinema if she had had the time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------5. I'm sure she isn't ill; she was fine when I saw her last night.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. You were wrong to shout at your brother.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------7. It's been impossible for me to find the time to write.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. The pupils in this school are required to wear a uniform.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------9. It's possible that the plane has already left.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------10. I'm sure the cake has been eaten.
------------------------------------------------------------------------TENSES AND MODALS
1. If you want my advice, get a good lawyer.
2. I havent smoked since 2002.
3. Perhaps my father will pick us up.
4. I cancelled my membership at the sports centre some years ago.
5. It isnt necessary to make any appointment at this hairdressers.
6. The boss allows the workers to have an afternoon off a week.
7. She started going out with my brother last year.
8. Dont take that CD without permission. You
9. Its forbidden to talk during tests.
10. That CD isnt mine. That CD
11. It would be nice to buy a present for the speakers in the conference.
12. John isnt excited about the trip. The trip
13. During the speech, the speaker started to cough.
14. Im sure he didnt break the window.
15. It is obligatory for him to arrive before his boss.
16. According to the fossils, scientist say dinosaurs were 5 meters long. Dinosaurs
17. Lisa and Tim plan to get married next year.
18. Is it necessary to shout all the time? Do
19. This is the second time we meet this morning. We

20. It was very easy for us to find the hidden treasure.

Modal & Modal Perfect. (Rewriting)
1. Perhaps we'll rent our house in summer.
_____________________________________________________________________
2. It's absolutely necessary that we finish the article today
_____________________________________________________________________
3. It wasn't necessary for him to behave like that.
He___________________________________________________________________
4. You cannot smoke in the underground; it's forbidden
You__________________________________________________________________
5. It's quite possible that they went away last weekend.
They_________________________________________________________________
6. I'm sure Ann didn't send that letter.
Ann__________________________________________________________________
7. It was a mistake not to accept his offer. I wish I had.
I ____________________________________________________________________
8. It is essential that we talk before the meeting starts
We__________________________________________________________________
9. I don't think Ann robbed the money. It's impossible.
Ann_________________________________________________________________
10. Why don't we go on a camping trip?
____________________________________________________________________
11. If I were you I'd do some more exercises
You________________________________________________________________
12. It was wrong of you not to invite her.
You________________________________________________________________
13. I regret not studying chemistry.
___________________________________________________________________
14. Its not possible that youve seen this film before.
___________________________________________________________________
15. Perhaps there was a traffic jam.
___________________________________________________________________
16. I wouldnt have been able to do it myself.
___________________________________________________________________
17. Im sure he forgot the appointment.
He_________________________________________________________________
18. Its possible that she didnt have time to do it.
She________________________________________________________________
19. She had the opportunity to become a concert pianist.
___________________________________________________________________
20. Perhaps the parcel didnt get there. (may)
___________________________________________________________________
21. There was a possibility that he would be killed.

_____________________________________________________________________
22. Im sure they thought you were mad.
They_________________________________________________________________
23. It was not possible for him to guess what would happen.
_____________________________________________________________________
24. It was possible for you to telephone me.
You__________________________________________________________________
25. It was wrong of you to believe me.
You__________________________________________________________________
26. She made a mistake when she married him.
She__________________________________________________________________
27. Its not possible that he has finished already.
He___________________________________________________________________
28. I ran the risk of losing my job.
I_____________________________________________________________________