Escola Secundária José Saramago

WORKSHEET ON MODAL VERBS

The verbs are can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, ought to , must. and need( not)

1. A modal verb always has the same form.( there's no -s ending, no -ing form and no -ed form. )
2. After a modal verb we use the infinitive without to .

Can, could:
1. Ability:They can speak chinese very well.
She could play cello when she was ten
2. Permission: You can go to the cinema
3. Possibility: You can go to Oporto by train, by car or by plane.
He could go by bike.
4.Request: Could / can you send me some money ?
Expressions used to replace this modal: to be able to, to have permission, to know how to, to be
allowed to.

must:

1. Obligation / necessity: You must do your homework

2. Logical conclusion: She must be sick; she is very pale.

mustn´t
Prohibition: Cars must not be parked here.
Expressions used to replace this modal: have to , to be prohibited./forbidden

may, might:
1. Permission: May I close the door?
2: Probability: It may rain this week.
He said it might rain.

Expressions used to replace this modal: to be allowed to , it`s probable that.

Will, would:
1: Requests: Will you do me a favour ?
Would you please help me ?
2. Preference: I would rather go to the cinema than to the theatre.
3. Invitations :Would you like to go to my party ?
4. Offers: Would you like some coffee ?
5. Promises: I will write, I promise.
6. Future: Juliet will be 20 next month.

Shall, should:
1. Advice: I think you should apologize.
2. Duty: You should listen to your parents.
3. Offering assistance : Shall I call you a doctor?
4. Promises: You shall have your new pullover tomorrow

Ought to:
1. Obligation: You ought to walk more. You're not fit.
2. Advice: I think you ought to talk to your parents about that.

needn´t
Absence of obligation: She needn't worry about the examinations. ( She's a very good student)
 Escola Secundária José Saramago

I. Put in a modal verb according to the function mentioned

1. He ........not talk when he was two years old. (Ability)

2. ................... I shut the window ? (Permission)

3. You .......... clean the room.( Duty)

4. You .........help your mother (Suggestion)

5. If he knew our address he .........come and see us (Probability)

6. She ...... . leave home at eight every morning at present (Obligation)

7. ............... You like to see a movie? (Invitation)

8. When the baby is six months old , he ........... to sit up ( Ability in the future)

9. You ......... smoke here ( Prohibition)

II.For each sentence , state the function of the modals, choosing one of the
options.

1. The teacher may not come today.

a) permission ; b) probability ; c) doubt; d) certainty

2. You must help the poor.

a) possibility; b) obligation; c) deduction; d) prohibition

3. Drivers must obey the traffic rules.

a) certainty; b) possibility; c) obligation ; d) prohibition

4. Shall I take a message?

a) offer; b) permission ; c) obligation ; d) advice

Escola Secundária José Saramago