Modal Verbs

Have to/ Has to

The verb “have to/has to” is used to express:
External Obligation
Example:
You have to take off your shoes before you
get into the mosque.

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Modal Verbs
Should
The verb “should” is used to express:
Advice Recommending action
Example: Example:
You should visit your You really should go to the
dentist at least twice a new museum on Main
year. Street.
Uncertain prediction
Logical deduction
Example:
Example:
I posted the cheque
I’ve revised so I should be
yesterday so
ready for the test.
it should arrive this week.

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Modal Verbs

Ought to
The verb “ought to” is used to express:
Advice
Logical deduction
Example:
Example:
You ought to have come to the
30$ ought to be enough for the
meeting. It was interesting.
taxi.

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Modal Verbs
Will
The verb “will” is used to express:
Promise Instant decision
Example: Example:
Don’t worry, I will be here. I will take these books with me.
Certain prediction
Invitation/Offer
Example:
Example:
John Smith will be the next
Will you give me a chance?
President.
Future tense auxiliary
Example:
Tomorrow I will be in New York.

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Modal Verbs

Might
The verb “might” is used to express:
Slight possibility Past form of “may” in reported
Example: speech
It looks nice, but it might be very Example:
expensive. The President said he might come.

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Modal Verbs

Must
The verb “must” is used to express
Obligation/ Necessity Deduction
Example: Example:
I must memorize all of these rules She lied to the police. She must be
about tenses. the murderer.

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Modal Verbs

Would
The verb “would” is used to express:
Asking for permission
Request
Example:
Example:
Would you mind if I opened the
Would you make dinner?
window?
Invitation Preferences
Example: Example:
Would you like to go out Would you prefer the window seat
sometime? or the aisle?

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Modal Verbs

May
The verb “may” is used to express:
Possibility Ask for permission
Example: Example:
Richard may be coming to May I borrow your
see us tomorrow. dictionary?

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Modal Verbs
Could
The verb “could” is used to express:
Suggestion
Request
Example:
Example:
Could you say it again more
Could I borrow your dictionary?
slowly?
Ability in the past
Asking for permission
Example:
Example:
I think we could have another Gulf
Could I open the window?
War.

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Modal Verbs

Don’t/ Doesn’t have to

“Don’t/Doesn’t have to” is used to express:
Is not necessary
Example:
You don’t have to do all the exercises, only the first one.

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Modal Verbs

Mustn’t
The verb “musn’t” (must not) is used to express:
Prohibition
Example:
You mustn’t smoke in this restaurant. It’s forbidden.

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Modal Verbs

Shall
The verb “shall” is used to express:
Asking what to do Offer
Example: Example:
Shall I get the phone? Or will you? Shall I call a cab?
Suggestion
Example:
Shall I call again on Thursday?

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Modal Verbs
▪ Mustn’t ▪ Will
▪ May ▪ Shall
▪ Might ▪ Would
▪ Can ▪ Should
▪ Could ▪ Ought to
▪ Have to/ Has to ▪ Must
▪ Don’t/ Doesn’t have
to
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Choose the correct Modal Verb

…………….. I come with you?

• Can
• Will
• Would

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Choose the correct Modal Verb

………………. you help me with the

housework, please? (Polite
request)
• Could
• Will
• Should

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Choose the correct Modal Verb

My grandmother is eighty-five, but

she ……………… still read and write
without glasses. (Ability)
• can
• could
• may

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Choose the correct Modal Verb

There was a time when I …………..

stay up very late. (Past ability)
• would
• could
• can.

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Choose the correct Modal Verb

You …………….. not lose any more

weight. You are already slim.
(Necessity)
• may
• need
• should

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Choose the correct Modal Verb

It is snowing outside so I ……………

stay at home. (Intention)
• may
• will
• can

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Choose the correct Modal Verb

I ………………. get you a shawl from

Kashmir. (Promise)
• will
• would
• can
• may

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Choose the correct Modal Verb

…………….. you mind if I borrowed your

car? (Permission)
• Will
• Would
• Should

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Choose the correct Modal Verb

……………. you take care of my dog for

a day? (Polite request)
• Will
• Shall
• Should

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Choose the correct Modal Verb

Our country ………………. become a

super power by 2025. (possibility)
• may
• might
• will
• should

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Choose the correct Modal Verb

We …………… make the first

move. (Prohibition)
• must not
• will not
• cannot

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 Choose the correct Modal Verb

She …………… sell her home because she needs

money. (weak possibility)
• may
• might
• could

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