English Grammar

Mo l Ve s
GENERAL ENGLISH · ENGLISH GRAMMAR

MODAL
VERBS 1 -
ABILITY

1 Modal verbs for ability

We use can, could, be able to, and managed to (+ infinitive without ‘to’) to say that somebody is able to
do something.

Use Examples

can / can’t to say that somebody has the ability I can speak English.
to do something in the present or Can you speak Japanese?
future I’m sorry, I can’t come to your party
tonight.

be able to to say that somebody has the ability
to do something
NOTE: can is more usual than be able
to in the present. However, can only
has a present and past form (could), so
sometimes it is necessary to use be able
to, for example in the present perfect or
infinitive.
Are you able to speak any foreign
languages?
I’m not able to come to the
meeting tomorrow.
I haven’t been able to sleep lately.
(present perfect)
He would like to be able to sing.
(infinitive)
MODAL VERBS 1 - ABILITY

Use Examples

could/ to say that somebody had the general
couldn’t ability to do something in the past.
Generalability means something
that you can do any time you want
after learning it, for example reading,
swimming, etc.
We often use could + see, hear, smell,
taste, feel, remember, understand
My cousin could play the piano
when she was five.
My grandfather couldn’t swim.
I couldn’t hear what she was
saying.
I could smell a fire.

was able to to say that somebody had the We were able to win the match.
couldn’t ability to do something in a specific I wasn’t able to open the door.
managed to situation, for example win a match, She couldn’t find you at the party.
escape from a dangerous situation, lift Did she manage to find you?
something, etc.

Dialogue
A: Can you speak Japanese?
B: I could speak it a few years ago. But since then,I haven’t been able to find a new teacher.

2 Practice 1 - Can/can’t or be able to

Complete the sentences with the verbs below. If you cannot use ‘can/can’t’, use ‘be able to’ in the
correct tense or form.

help meet play relax run sing speak wait

1. I’m sorry, I can’t speak French.

2. I you for lunch tomorrow. I’m free all day.
3. John for months. His new job is very stressful.
4. Usain Bolt really fast. He’s the Olympic champion.
5. I might you with your homework if you’re having problems.
6. He used to well, but now he sounds awful.
7. I any more. Tell me the big news.
8. She the piano since she broke her arm two months ago.
MODAL VERBS 1 - ABILITY

3 Practice 2 - General or specific ability

Complete the sentences below using ‘could/couldn’t’ or ‘was/were able to’ + the verbs in brackets.

1. Benjamin Franklin (speak) English and French.

2. I looked everywhere, but I (find) the right street.
3. (you/convince) her to go out with you?
4. Patricia used to be a professionaldancer. She (dance) really well.
5. We (contact) you. Was your phone switched off?
6. At the end of the long meeting, we (make) a decision.
7. (you/hear) me last night? I was trying to be quiet.
8. My laptop wasn’t working properly, but in the end I (fix) it.

In which of the sentences above can you use the structure ‘managed to’? Rewrite them.

4 Practice 3

Write or say some sentences about you. Write about something ...

1. you have always wanted to be able to do (e.g. "I have always wanted to be able to sing like a
professional singer.")
2. you have never been able to do
3. you willbe able to do well in the future
4. you didn’t manage to do last week
5. you could do wellin the past

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GENERAL ENGLISH · GRAMMAR PRACTICE

MODAL VERBS 2 -
OBLIGATION,
NECESSITY,
PROHIBITION, ADVICE

1 Modal verbs for necessity and advice

We use the modal verbs must, have to, need to, and should to say that something is necessary or to
give advice. The table below summarizes the main uses of the positive and negative forms:

Modalverb Use Examples

must to say that something is It’s getting late. I have to go now.

have to necessary or obligatory You must get up early if you want to get to work.
need to Joaquim isn’t ready for his exam. He needs to
study harder.
NOTE: must vs.have to In general, must refers
to an internal feeling whereas have to can also
refer to an externalobligation, e.g. a rule, a time
limit, etc.

don’t have to to say that something is I’m not working tomorrow so I don’t have to get
don’t need to not necessary up early.
You don’t need to give me your phone number. I
already have it.

mustn’t to say that something is You mustn’t smoke here. This is a non-smoking
prohibited or forbidden area.

should / to say that something is You should spend some time in England to
shouldn’t a good or bad idea improve your English.
You shouldn’t drink so quickly.
MODAL VERBS 2 - OBLIGATION,NECESSITY,PROHIBITION,ADVICE

A: It’s getting late. I should go home now.

B: Really? But you don’t have to work tomorrow.
A: Yes, I know. But I must get some sleep. My doctor says I need to relax more.

2 Practice 1 - Must or have to

Claire is a architect. She has just started her new job. Complete the sentences below using must or
have to in the correct form, positive, or negative.

1. She has to work 8 hours every day.

2. She smoke at work. The building is a non-smoking area.
3. She wear very formalclothes. The office has a relaxed dress code.
4. She wear a hard hat when visiting a building site, according to safety regulations.
5. She meet clients every day. Her work involves a lot of meetings.
6. She work hard if she wants a promotion. Her boss is very demanding.
7. She get up early every day. She can work flexible hours.
8. She park her car near the building entrance. That space is reserved for the
director.

3 Practice 2 - Should or shouldn’t

Give your friend advice using should or shouldn’t and one of the phrases below.

be so careless eat so much cake go to bed earlier have an eye test

quit your job take up a new hobby try to relax more use your phone all day

1. "I am always tired during the day."

You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. "I need to lose weight."
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. "I’m very stressed these days."
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. "I feelbored."
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. "My purse was stolen again!"
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. "I can’t see very well."
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. "My boss is driving me crazy!"
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8. "My phone billis really expensive."
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MODAL VERBS 2 - OBLIGATION,NECESSITY,PROHIBITION,ADVICE

4 Practice 3

Rewrite each sentence using an appropriate modal verb from Page 1. More than one answer may be
possible.

1. It is very important that you do not forget to call me tomorrow.

You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. It is not necessary for them to wait for me.
They . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. It is obligatory for us to check out of the hotel before midday.
We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. It is a good idea for him to study hard if he wants to pass his exam.
He . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. I feelit is very important that you try to go to bed early tonight.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. It isn’t a good idea to believe everything you read on the internet.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. It is obligatory to drive on the right side of the road in the US.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8. It is forbidden to cross the border without a passport.
You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9. It is not necessary for his present to be expensive.
His present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Talk about your country. What advice would you give a visitor. Make some sentences using the modal
verbs from this lesson, for example:

You have to drive on the right. You should use the formal ‘you’ when you don’t know someone.

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GENERAL ENGLISH · GRAMMAR PRACTICE

MODAL VERBS 3 -
POSSIBILITY AND
EXPECTATION

1 Modal verbs for possibility,certainty and expectation

We use the modal verbs may, could, might, can’t, and must to talk about things that are possible or
certain.

Modalverb Use Examples

must to say that you are certain You haven’t eaten allday. You must be
that something is true hungry.
You must be joking if you expect me to
cook for you again.

can’t to say that you are certain "Is Anne at home?" "No, she can’t be at
that something is not true home. She’s working today."
They can’t have the same exam results.

could to say that it is possible Anne may be at work, but I’m not sure.
may / may not that something is true or "Who’s that at the door?" "It could be the
not true mailman."

might / might not to say that it is possible You might like to know that we are having
(but not very likely) that a meeting tomorrow evening.
something is true or not It might not be a good idea to callJohn.
true He usually prefers email.

should / shouldn’t to say that we expect or The price should be $10,not $20.
don’t expect something to If we leave now,we should get there on
happen or to be different time.
MODAL VERBS 3 - POSSIBILITY AND EXPECTATION

A: Where is David?
B: He should be at work.
A: He can’t be at work. He has the day off today.
B: He might be at home then.

2 Practice - must or can’t

Complete the sentences below with must or can’t:

1. Sandra’s new boyfriend be very popular. Everybody seems to know him.

2. Phillip be on Facebook. Everybody is these days.
3. You know your grammar really well. This exercise be difficult for you.
4. Running a marathon be really difficult if you don’t run every week.
5. It be Hector at the door. He left the party an hour ago.
6. You’ve been working in the garden all day. You be really tired now.
7. The dog be hungry. Feed her!
8. It be easy living in an extremely cold climate like in Siberia.

3 Practice - should or shouldn’t

In each of the pictures below, something is wrong or not expected.Complete each person’s thought
using should or shouldn’t and a suitable infinitive:

1. "The bill so expensive."

2. "My food here by now."
3. "I feeling so ill after taking the medicine."
4. "There allthese spelling mistakes."
5. "She how to use a printer."
6. "They here. The meeting is about to start."

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MODAL VERBS 3 - POSSIBILITY AND EXPECTATION

4 Practice

Rewrite the sentences below using a suitable modal verb from page 1. More than one answer is
possible in some cases.

1. There is a chance that Jean is at home.

Jean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. I expect that it won’t be difficult to finish this task on time.
This task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. It is possible that Patrick isn’t playing footballwith his friends.
Patrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. It is possible that the criminal is dangerous.
The criminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. Alison doesn’t speak Italian (this is unexpected because her mother is Italian).
Alison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. I don’t know the score, but I am certain Spain is winning the match.
I don’t know the score, but Spain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. I don’t expect that we will have any problems on our journey.
We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8. You can ask Alan, but it’s possible that he doesn’t know.
You can ask Alan, but . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9. It’s impossible that Shenzhen is in India. It sounds more like a Chinese city.
Shenzhen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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 GENERAL ENGLISH · GRAMMAR PRACTICE

MODAL VERBS 4 -
REQUESTS, OFFERS,
PERMISSION AND
INVITATIONS

1 Presentation

We use the modal verbs can, could, may, would, and will for requests, offers, invitations, and permission.
Study the table below.

Use Examples

can to ask somebody to do something Can you help me?

to ask for or give permission Can I have another chocolate?
to offer to do something Yes, you can use my laptop.
No, you you can’t use my laptop.
Can I help you with your bags?

could to ask somebody to do something Could you callme a taxi?

to ask for permission Could I come to work a little
(more polite) later?
Do you think I could borrow your
phone?

may to ask for or give permission May I speak to you for a second?
(polite) Yes, you may use my laptop.
No, you may not use my laptop.
MODAL VERBS 4 - REQUESTS,OFFERS,PERMISSION AND INVITATIONS

Use Examples

would you like to make an offer or invitation Would you like another
chocolate?
Would you like to go out?

will to ask somebody to do something Peter, will you come here for a
minute?

would to ask somebody to do something Would you carry my bags for me,
(very polite) please?

Dialogue
A: Would you like to go for a walk in the park?
B: Sure. Can we go after lunch?
A: Of course. Could you meet me outside my building?
B: No problem.

2 Practice 1 - Requests and offers

Audio
Listen to a dialogue between a host and guest.Complete the four requests/offers and replies below.

1. A: you something to drink?

B: Yes, please. A coffee nice.
2. A: lunch now?
B: No thanks, I’m .
3. A: one of those muffins over there? They look very tasty.
B: Yes, of course. .
4. A: my email from your computer? I’m expecting an important message.
B: the internet isn’t working at the moment.

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MODAL VERBS 4 - REQUESTS,OFFERS,PERMISSION AND INVITATIONS

3 Practice 2

What would you say the situations below? Use the modal verbs on page 1. More than one answer
may be possible.

1. You need to take a short break from your work. Ask your boss for permission. Be polite.
... . . .. .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . . .... . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . . ... . . .... . . . .. . . . . ..
2. You are organizing a party. Invite your friend Ross.
... . . .. .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . . .... . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . . ... . . .... . . . .. . . . . ..
3. You are at a clothes store. You see a shirt that you really like. Ask the store assistant to show it to
you.
... . . .. .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . . .... . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . . ... . . .... . . . .. . . . . ..
4. You see an old lady trying to carry some heavy bags. Offer to help her.
... . . .. .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . . .... . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . . ... . . .... . . . .. . . . . ..
5. You have arranged to have lunch with a friend at 2 pm.Ask her if she can meet you at 1 pm instead.
... . . .. .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . . .... . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . . ... . . .... . . . .. . . . . ..
6. A stranger asks for permission to smoke in your building. You refuse.
... . . .. .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . . .... . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . . ... . . .... . . . .. . . . . ..
7. You need to mail a letter urgently, but you have no time. Your neighbor is going out. Ask him/her
to do it for you. Be polite.
... . . .. .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . . .... . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . . ... . . .... . . . .. . . . . ..

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