Search >   Other topics | Club

Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #108430: Can/could/may... Must/have to...

> Other English exercises on the same topics: Speaking | Modals | Politeness [Change theme]

Can/could/may... Must/have to...

After studying and making a difference between the modals expressing the uncertainty of an action test, we are now
going to study other nuances of the modal auxiliaries concerning the freedom of action of a subject.
 

                                   

1) CAPACITY and FREEDOM the SUBJECT has to ACT (or not):

* Physical or intellectual Capacity (in the present or in the past); CAN is the modal auxiliary expressing physical and
intellectual capacity; in the negative, CAN'T expresses  physical and intellectual incapacity. 
ex: The robot can move its lips in time with the words (physical capacity) and it can speak six different foreign
languages ...(intellectual capacity).  

ex: Melissa couldn't speak about her dilemma to anyone. (= incapacity in the past)

2) PERMISSION (may/can): THE FREEDOM OF ACTION (to act, or not to act) is expressed with 'MAY', and refusal will be
built with CAN'T. 

   Can I borrow your book, please? is less polite than 'May I borrow ... ?' or 'Could I borrow ...?'
ex: Yes, Kevin, you may leave the table now, but you can't leave the house!

3) OBLIGATION or INTERDICTION: in both cases, the FREEDOM of ACTION is denied. 

*  MUST indicates an obligation felt by the speaker:

ex: I must go now, as I still have a lot of homework to do.

* HAVE TO insists on pure facts and regulations:

ex: You have to leave now ! No visits after six ! 

* The absence of necessity  minimizes the restriction of freedom. It can be expressed in three different, but
equivalent, ways:  

ex: You needn't bring your own book!( = IN THE PRESENT)

ex: You didn't need to bring your own book! (in another tense than the present) OR You didn't have to bring your own
book! 
 

                                                                            

Now, you're ready for the test !     Go for it ! 

By using our site,you are giving your consent to the use of cookies for stats & content adapted to your interests. Learn more/Manage OK
 Twitter Share
English exercise "Can/could/may... Must/have to..." created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises
from here4u]
Click here to see the current stats of this English test

Please log in to save your progress.

- 'Oh Mom, should I stay here while you go to the doctor's?'

- 'Of course you must , Elsa ... Don't you remember that you couldn't have a shot (une piqûre) today?
If I mustn't , I would take you to watch a film instead, but I can't !
If you don't have it today, you 'll have to get it tomorrow ... Really, can't to procrastinate!
- 'Procras' what? ' Must you repeat, please, Mom?'
- 'Procrastinate' ! It's a word you may not learn ! It means : 'delay, or postpone'!'
- 'Come on, Mom ! You needn't to use learned words just to make me go to the doctor's... I know I have to go ...
Don't worry! I'll go! You needn't to pretend I'm a baby... I'm a big girl!'

CHECK MY TEST>>

PRINT THIS TEST

End of the free exercise to learn English: Can/could/may... Must/have to...

A free English exercise to learn English.
Other English exercises on the same topics : Speaking | Modals | Politeness | All our lessons and exercises

Home   /  Club   /  Placement tests  /  Guide  /  Best worksheets  /  Most popular  /  Other topics

1 free lesson by email per week
Copyright Laurent Camus (Do not copy or translate - site protected by an international copyright)  -  Learn more / Help / Contact / Legal
notices / Terms of use / Cookies

By using our site,you are giving your consent to the use of cookies for stats & content adapted to your interests. Learn more/Manage OK