MODAL VERBS

⦁ CAN, COULD

Express: Examples:
s ability …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s possibility …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s permission …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s deduction / …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s impossibility …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s ability in the past …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s polite request

⦁ MAY, MIGHT
Express: Examples:
s permission …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s permission (formal) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s probability …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

⦁ MUST
Express: Examples:
s obligation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s certainty / deductionz …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s necessity …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

⦁ MUSTN’T
Express: Examples:
s prohibition …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

⦁ SHOULD
Express: Examples:
s advice …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s moral duty …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

⦁ SHALL
Express: Examples:
s invitation / suggestion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
s offering to do s’g …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
⦁ WILL
Express: Examples:
s future ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
s conditional sentences type 1 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
s request ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
s offer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
s determination ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
s espontaneous decision ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

⦁ WOULD
Express: Examples:
s conditional sentences type 2 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
s request ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
s offers ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
s past habit ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

EXERCISES:

A) Rewrite the sentences using a modal verb.

1. It was impossible for him to finish the project yesterday.

2. If I were you, I would concentrate in class.

3. It is forbidden to eat in the library.

4. Let’s organise a party tonight.

5. She knows how to play the piano.

6. She was able to read when she was four.

7. It is improbable that it will rain.

8. It’s your duty to clean up this mess.

B) Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use three to five words, including
the word in bold.
1. Perhaps we missed the correct turning. MIGHT
We ................................... the correct turning.
2. He couldn't swim until he was in his twenties. ABLE
He .......................................... until he was in his twenties.
3. We got a table at the restaurant without a reservation. NEED
We ........................................................ book a table at the restaurant.
4. I’m sure he’s not Michael Jackson. He died a few years ago! BE
He ........................................................ because he died a few years ago.
5. Perhaps Filip is from the Czech Republic – he speaks Czech very well. COULD
Filip ……………………………………… the Czech Republic because his Czech is very good.
6. He looks so pale that I’m sure he has seen a ghost. MUST
He …………………………………………………… ghost because now he looks very pale.