MODAL VERBS

Modals are special verbs which behave very irregularly in English. They have no
‘s’ in third person of singular except for ‘have to’ or ‘need’. They do not take
auxiliaries to make interrogative or negative, except for ‘have to’ or ‘need’.

Here are some COMMON EXPRESSIONS that can be

exchanged with modal verbs:
It’s necessary: need
It’s an obligation, compulsory, I’m obliged to: must
Formal request: could, may
It’s possible, it’s probably, perhaps, maybe, I’m not sure: may, might
Subject + is capable of: can (in present), could (in past), be able to
(other tenses)
It’s forbidden, banned, it’s a prohibition: mustn’t
It’s impossible: can’t
I’m sure, it’s certain: must
If I were you, my advice, you had better: should, ought to
Petition: can, could, may
Not allowed to: can’t, couldn’t, not be able to
Lack of obligation, it’s not necessary: needn’t, don’t have to

REWRITE THE FOLLOWING EXPRESSIONS USING A MODAL VERB

INSTEAD:
1. You were not capable of playing the piano when you were five years old
2. You are not allowed to take your father’s car
3. I’m sure Peter is working now
4. It’s impossible that you are hungry. You have just had lunch
5. It’s forbidden to smoke here
6. Make a formal request asking for help
7. It’s necessary that you call me later
8. You had better study for the exam tomorrow
9. It’s not necesarry for you to do the washing up.
10. Ask your mother to go to the cinema
11. It’s probably that John comes today
12. It’s your obligation to study
13. I’m not sure but I think the film is on today.