MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs with a great variety of communicative functions.

They are followed by:

an infinitive
His mother can cook very well.
have + past participle, if we are referring to a past action.
She could have invited you for dinner.
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Permission
Can
Can I come in?

May
May I read the text?
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Ability
Can
Mary can speak English fluently.

Could (ability in the past)

When he was younger he could swim for
hours.
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Possibility
Can
In Portugal we can learn two foreign languages.

Could
In the past children could play in the streets.

May
I may be singing in the school party.

Might
If they talked, they might become friends.
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Request
Can
Can you explain the exercise again, please?

Could
Could you give me a hand with these bags?

Would
Would you tell me the way to the station, please?
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Suggestion
Could
We could take up a sport.

Shall
Shall we go to the theatre?
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Obligation
Must
You must behave in the classroom.
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Deduction
Must
He has very good marks. He must study a
lot.
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Prohibition
Mustn’t
Passengers mustn’t talk to the driver.
(law, rule)

You mustn’t forget her birthday.

(opinion)
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Advice
Should
You should see this movie! It’s great!

They shouldn’t eat so much fast food.

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Prediction
Will
Tom will win the competition.

He won’t give up.

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Exercise 1
Choose the best option.
1. I’m sorry, I can / will / can’t remember your name.
2. My computer isn’t working. It should / can / must
have been damaged by the thunderstorm.
3. You shouldn’t / may not / won’t eat so quickly.
4. You couldn’t / wouldn’t / mustn’t drink and drive.
5. Excuse me. Might / Could / Shall you tell me the
way to the airport?
6. You may / would / might leave now if you wish.
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Exercise 1 - Answer
Choose the best option.
1. I’m sorry, I can / will / can’t remember your name.
2. My computer isn’t working. It should / can / must
have been damaged by the thunderstorm.
3. You shouldn’t / may not / won’t eat so quickly.
4. You couldn’t / wouldn’t / mustn’t drink and drive.
5. Excuse me. Might / Could / Shall you tell me the
way to the airport?
6. You may / would / might leave now if you wish.
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Exercise 2
Rewrite the sentences without changing their original
meaning. Use the modal verb in brackets.
1. Perhaps we’ll rent our house in summer. (may)
2. I am sure Jim is at home now. (must)
3. I advise you to lock the door. (should)
4. She is capable of doing many things at the same time. (can)
5. It was a mistake to sell our house for that price. (shouldn’t)
6. Let’s go to the shopping centre. (shall)
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Exercise 2 - Answer
1. We may rent our house in summer.
2. Jim must be at home now.
3. You should lock the door.
4. She can do many things at the same time.
5. We shouldn’t have sold our house for that price.
6. Shall we go to the shopping centre?
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