UNIT 6: MODALS AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS

I. The modal auxiliaries and similar expressions

can/could ≈ be able to
can/ could/may/ might ≈ be likely to
will/would ≈ be going to
should/ ought to ≈ be supposed to/ had better
must ≈ have to/ have got to/ be to
would ≈ used to
would rather ≈ prefer

* The modal auxiliaries: followed by the bare infinitives

Ex: + He can play football.

+ You should stay at home tonight.
+ We would rather die than be slaves.
+ “Coffee or tea?” “I would prefer tea, thanks.”
+ The donor prefers to remain anonymous.
+ I prefer playing in defense.

II. The usages of modal auxiliaries

1. Ability: Can/ could/ be able to

Form Similar Usages and Examples

s expressions
+ Ability in the present or the future
He can/ is able to speak four languages.
+ ST happening as we speak
Watch me, Mum; I can (am able to) stand on one leg.
can be able to
+ Before passives
CDs can now (are now able to) be copied easily.
+ The meaning “know how to”
Can you cook?/ (Are you able to) cook?
+ Ability in the past
She could/ was able to swim when she was 6.
+ In negative sentences
I tried to get up but I couldn't (wasn’t able to) move.
+ With verbs of the senses (feel, hear, see, smell, taste)
could be able to I could (was able to) smell something burning.
+ With verbs of 'thinking' (believe, decide, remember,
understand)
I could (was able to) remember the crash, but nothing after that.
+ After the phrases the only thing/ place/ time, and after all
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 when it means 'the only thing'
All we could (were able to) see were his feet.
+ With almost, hardly, just, nearly
I could (was able to) nearly touch the ceiling.
+ A single achievement in the past
She swam strongly and was able to (could) cross the river
easily, even though it was swollen by the heavy rain.

Note: We use can in the present tense, could in the past tense, and be able to in many tenses.
However, can is used more often in the present tense.
Ex:
Present simple They are able to talk.
Past simple They were able to talk.
Future They will be able to talk.
Present perfect They have been able to talk.

Practice 1: Underline the correct or more natural answer. If both answers are possible,
underline them both.
1. Valuables can/ are able to be left in the hotel safe. Please ask at the reception desk.
2. We could/ were able to finish the football match before it started snowing too heavily.
3. The rebels could/ were able to draw on the support of over 20,000 soldiers.
4. Could you/ Were you able to understand Professor Larsen’s lecture? I found it really
difficult.
5. 'Do you want a game?' 'Sorry, I can’t/ am not able to play chess.'
6. Look at me, I can/ am able to ride my bike without any help.
7. When the fire officers arrived, they could/ were able to put out the flames in a couple of
minutes.
8. The air was so polluted in the city center, I could hardly/ was hardly able to breathe.

Practice 2: Use the correct form of “can” and “be able to” to fill in each blank.
1. He ____________ swim 3 kilometers a day.
2. I _____________ not find my key this morning.
3. She has not ______________walk since the accident.
4. He _________________ speak to Ann before she left.
5. Will people ___________ live on the moon one day, do you think?

Practice 3: Complete the sentences using “can” or “be able to” and your own words.
1. George has traveled a lot. He _______________ languages.
2. I haven’t ___________________ well recently.
3. Sandra ________________ but she hasn’t got a car.
4. I can’t understand Martin. I’ve never _________________ him.
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5. I used to ____________________ my head but I can’t do it now.
6. I can’t see you on Friday but I _________________ on Saturday morning.
7. Ask Catharine about your problem. She might ________________ you.

Practice 4: In pairs, ask and answer what you and your partner can/ could do and can’t/
couldn’t do.

2. Possibility

Forms Similar Usages and Examples

expressions
can + ST is possible and actually happens.
could It can/ could be expensive to keep a cat. (= it can be, and it
may sometimes is.)
might
+ The theoretical possibility of ST happening
It could/ can be expensive to keep a cat. (= if we had one, it
could or it may not be expensive.)
+ A very real possibility of a future event happening.
We can/ could stay with Jim in Oslo. (= we will be able to stay.)
+ ST is less likely or that there is some doubt about it.
We could/ can stay with Jim in Oslo. (= it’s possible; if he’s
there.)
+ ST is theoretically or actually impossible
There can't/ couldn’t be many people in the world who haven't
be likely watched television.
The doctor can't/ couldn’t see you this morning; he's busy at the
hospital.
+ In academic or formal language
The seeds from the plant may grow up to 20 centimeters in
length.
+ In speech to say what we will possibly do in the future or in
the past
I might paint the kitchen purple.
During the war, the police might arrest you for criticizing the
king.
+ Questions about the possibility of something happening
Are you likely to be (May you be) in Spain again this summer?
Could (May) it be that you don't want to leave?

Forms Usages and Examples

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 + Expressing Degrees of Certainty at the Present Time (Positive)
T: “Why isn’t Ms. Lan in class today?”
St 1: “She is sick.” (100% sure)
St 2: “She must be sick.” (95% sure)
can St 3: “She can/ may/ might/could be sick.” (<50 % sure)
could + Expressing Degrees of Certainty at the Present Time (Negative)
may T: “Why doesn't Ann have lunch with us?”
might St 1: “She is not hungry.” (100% sure)
must St 2: “She must not be hungry.” (95% sure)
St 3: “She may not be/ might not be hungry.” (<50% sure)
St 1: “I am very hungry.”
St 2: “You have just had a big lunch. You can’t be/ couldn’t be hungry.” (99%
sure)

Forms Usages and Examples

+ Expressing Degrees of Certainty in the Past (Positive)
T: “Why didn't Tom go to class yesterday?”
St 1: “He was sick.” (100% sure)
St 2: “He must have been sick.” (95% sure)
St 3: He may/ might/ could have been sick.” (<50 % sure)

can + Expressing Degrees of Certainty in the Past (Negative)

could T: “I rang Lan’s home phone many times last night, but no one answered
may the phone.”
might St 1: “She wasn’t at home.” (100% sure)
must St 2: “She mustn’t have been at home.” (95% sure)
St 3: “She might not have been at home.” (50% sure)

H: “Where did you go yesterday afternoon?”

W: “I stayed at home all the afternoon.” (100% sure)
H “You can’t/ couldn’t have stayed at home all the afternoon. I rang home
hundreds of times, but no one answered the phone.” (99% sure)

Forms Usages and Examples

can + The past form of could: “could have + past participle”: offering hindsight
could possibilities.
may St 1: “I sold my motorbike last month to pay for my school fee. I have to go to
might school on foot now.”
must St 2: “Why did you do so? You could have asked me to lend you some money.”

Practice 1: Complete the sentences with either may or might, whichever is more likely. If
neither is possible, suggest an alternative completion.

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1. We ______________ go to Majorca for our holiday this summer.
2. The planet Venus _______________ be seen clearly in the night sky during this month.
3. ________________ you see Becky this weekend?
4. I feel really sore after playing tennis. I think I ______________ have a bath.
5. “Someone's left their coat.” “_______________ it be Ken's?”
6. Exceeding the stated dose ________________ cause drowsiness.

Practice 2: Complete the sentences with may or might followed by one of the following
forms of the verb in brackets: “be + past participle”, “have + past participle”, “be + -ing”,
“have been + -ing”. If both may and might are possible, indicate this.

1. There's a man lying down on the pavement over there. Do you think he ____________
himself? (hurt)
2. I ____________ you this before. I can't remember. (tell)
3. Is that John's car that just stopped? He ___________________ for us. (wait)
4. In the early 19th century a person ______________ to Australia for stealing as little as a loaf of
bread. (send)
5. “Ann looks exhausted.” “I suppose she _________________. (run)
6. I've heard that the newsagent's is losing a lot of money and it _____________ down. (close)
7. Real Madrid started well and ________________ an early lead when Figo hit the post, but
Barcelona scored first after 20 minutes. (take)
8. As little as 50 years ago a worker still ___________________ for being ill. (dismiss)
9. “When will the painting be ready?” “Well, I _______________ it by this evening.” (finish)
10. The race had to be stopped because the oil on the track ____________ an accident. (cause)

Practice 3: Complete these sentences in any appropriate way.

1. He may not be the best singer in the world, but ____________________________________
2. Hugh's old car might not be terribly comfortable, but ______________________________
3. Her English grammar may not be very accurate, but _______________________________

Now expand these notes to complete the sentences.

sound/ exciting agree/ him express/ feelings openly work/ quickly

4.He may/might not work very quickly , but at least he's very reliable.
5. __________________________ , but his opinions on architecture certainly make you think.
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6. ______________________________, but the new museum of fishing is actually very good.
7. ______________________________ , but she is really very fond of you.

Practice 4: Express Degrees of Certainty to answer these questions, using the words given.
1. Why does Alice always get the best grades in the class? – (intelligent) % sure

“She ___________________________.” 100

“She ___________________________.” 95
“She ____________________________.” <50

2. Why is Hong wearing a wedding ring? - (married)

....................................................................
....................................................................
....................................................................
3. What kind of watch did he buy? - (sport watch)
....................................................................
....................................................................
....................................................................

Practice 5: Use your own words to answer these questions.

1. Why is Lan yawning?
2. Why is Hoa sneezing and coughing?
3. What do you think I have in my briefcase?
4. Why doesn’t Diep buy that car?
5. Why didn’t Hoang come to my party yesterday?
6. There is a restaurant in town that is always packed (full). Why?

3. Permission

Forms Similar expressions Usages and Examples

can + Ask for permission

could May/ can/ I come in?
may Could I possibly stay at your flat?
might Would you mind if I sit here?
Note: Could/ may is more polite than can. Might is used
would you mind if ... less frequently.
be allowed to
+ Give permission
You may/ can/ are allowed to go out if you finish your
homework.
Although he didn't have a ticket, Ken was allowed to/
could come in. (permission for one particular past action)

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 Note: May is more formal.

+ In negative sentences
We couldn't/ weren't allowed to open the presents until
Christmas morning.

Practice 1: Identify which one is asking for permission and which one is giving permission.

1. Can/ may I use your phone?

2. Could you please give me your email address?
3. Would you mind if we come to your house on the first day of
Tet?
4. Students can go home early if they finish their homework.
5. Staff may take their break between noon and 1p.m.

6. You are allowed to see films until 10p.m.

………………………………………….

Practice 2: Make a polite permission for the given situations.

1. You want to ask your teacher a question.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
2. You are at your friend’s apartment. You want to use the phone.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
3. You want to leave class early.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
4. You knock on your professor’s half-open door. He’s sitting at his desk. You want to come
in.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
5. You want to make an appointment to see Dr. North. You are speaking to her secretary.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Prohibition/ Restriction

Forms Similar Usages and Examples

expressions
must not + Express prohibition or restriction
may not I don’t allow you to tell her my current situation, so you mustn’t/
cannot are not allowed to tell her anything.
You cannot/ may not go into that restaurant without a tie.
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 You mustn’t/ are not allowed to smoke here.
be allowed to You cannot/ may not get up until you are better.
You cannot drive in Canada without a valid driver’s license.

Note: The difference between “must not” and “don’t have to”.
You mustn’t/ are not allowed to be absent in the meeting.
You don’t have to hand in your paper now. You can give it to me
next Monday. (= It’s not necessary to hand in your paper now.
You can give it to me next Monday.)
Practice 1: Fill in the blanks with must not/ may not/ cannot/ be not allowed to and “don’t
have to”.

1. We don’t allow you to tell them our current address, so you _________ tell them
anything.
2. You ______________ join the meeting without wearing a tie.
3. Students _____________ use their mobile phones in the examination room.
4. You ______________ to walk on the grass.
5. You _________________ go home until you have an X-ray test.
………………………………………….

6. You ____________ be absent in the meeting. It’s a must.

7. The secretary ____________ hand in the report now. She can give it to her boss next
Monday.

Practice 2: Underline the mistakes in these sentences, then correct them.

1. You mustn’t come to the meeting but it would help us all if you’re there.
2. Students don’t have to cheat during tests.
3. You don’t have to smoke in public place.
4. Students in elementary school mustn’t pay tuition.

Practice 3: Complete the sentences with your own words

Examples: Students don’t have to…………………………………………………
Possible response: Students in elementary school don’t have to pay tuition.
Example: Students must not…………………………………………………………
Possible response: Students must not cheat during tests
1. Children must not…………………………………………………………………
2. Children don’t have to ……………………………………………………………
3. Drivers must not……………………………………………………………………
4. Drivers don’t have to………………………………………………………………
5. We don’t have to………………………………………………………………….

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 6. We must not………………………………………………………………………
7. (……) doesn’t have to……………………………………………………………
8. (……) must not……………………………………………………………………
9. Waiters must not……………………………………………………………………
10. Waiters don’t have to……………………………………………………………
11. I don’t have to……………………………………………………………………
12. I must not…………………………………………………………………………

Practice 4: Tell three things which your partners are not allowed to do and three things
which are not necessary for them to do.

Practice 5: Make sentences with these pictures.

5. Obligation

Forms Similar Usages and Examples

expressions
must + Must = have to
- Show speaker’s own opinion (say what you think is necessary, or
recommend someone to do something)
It’s later than I thought. We must/ have to leave now.
I haven’t spoken to Sue for ages. I must/ have to phone her. (= I say
this is necessary.)
Mark is a really nice person. You must/ have to meet him. (= I
recommend this.)
have to
have got to + Must
- Express a strong obligation or necessity (The obligation comes from
the speaker or the authority that wrote the sentence.)
I must phone my dad. It's his birthday today.
You must hand in your homework on Tuesday or you will lose ten

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 per cent of your mark. (Teacher to student)
- Be used in written rules and regulations, instructions, and warnings
Applications for the job must be received by 18 May.
Seat belts must be worn (by all passengers). (sign on a plane)
All visitors must report to reception.
Bookings must be made at least seven days before departure.

+ Have to
- Be used to say what someone is obliged to do (a fact, not speaker’s
own opinion, or the obligation coming from outside the speaker)
I have to/ must work from 8.30 to 5.30 every day.
Jane has to/ must travel a lot for her work.
We have to wear uniform when we're working in reception.
When do we have to hand in our homework? (Student to teacher)
Al has to work tomorrow, so he can't come.
You can’t turn right here. You have to turn left. (because of the
traffic law)
- Be used in many tenses
I have to wear glasses for reading. (present)
Last week Tu broke her arm and had to/ must go to hospital. (past)
I will have to get up at six o’clock tomorrow. (future)
I haven’t had to go to the doctor for ages. (present perfect)
- Be used in questions and negative sentences with “do, does, did”
(for the present and past simple)
Do you have to wear a tie for school? (asking about school rules)
What do I have to do to get a new driving license? (not What have I
to do?)
Karen doesn’t have to work Saturdays. (not Karen hasn’t to)
‘Did you have to wait a long time for a bus?’ ‘No, only ten minutes.’
When did you have to/ When had you got to give it back?
We didn't have to/ hadn’t got to wait too long for an answer.
- Be used with frequency adverbs such as always, never, normally,
rarely, sometimes, etc.
I often have to/ have got to work at the weekend to get everything
done.
- Be used with other model verbs (will, be going to, might, may, …)
Employees will have to/ will have got to accept the new conditions
or be dismissed.
We might have to change our plans/ We may have to change …
(= it’s possible that we will have to change them)

+ Have got to = have to

I’ve got to/ have to work tomorrow.
The experiment has failed twice before, so it's got to/ it’s to work
this time.
When has Helen got to go? / When does Helen have to go?

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 Note:
+ Imply a criticism in questions
Do you have to/ Must you play your trumpet here? It's deafening me!
+ Hope for or expect a negative answer in questions
Do we have to/ Have we got to/ Must we answer all the questions?

Practice 1: Complete the sentences with the correct form of “must or have to”.
1. It’s later than I thought. I must/have to go now.
2. Jack left before the end of the meeting. He had to go home early.
3. In Britain many children ………………… wear uniform when they go to school.
4. When you come to London again, you ………………… come and see us.
5. Last night Don became ill suddenly. We ………………… call a doctor.
6. You really ………………… work harder if you want to pass the exam.
7. I’m afraid I can’t come tomorrow. I ………………… work late.
8. I’m sorry I couldn’t come yesterday. I ………………… work late.
9. Paul doesn’t like his new job. Sometimes he ………………… work at weekend.
10. Caroline may ………………… go away next week.
11. We couldn’t repair the car ourselves. We ………………… take it to a garage.
12. Julia wears glasses. She ………………… wear glasses since she was very young.

Practice 2: Complete these sentences with one of these forms: must have + past participle;
must + bare infinitive; must be + -ing; or must have (had) to. Use the verbs given.
1. When I left my laptop on the train, I thought I'd never see it again. But someone
_______________ it and handed it in to the lost property office. (find)
2. Jasmine owns a big car and a yacht. She ___________________ incredibly rich. (be)
3. “Everyone's going into the hall.” “The meeting ________________ soon. Let's go.” (start)
4. Without things like washing machines and dishwashers our grandparents _______________
much harder in the kitchen than we do today. (work)
5. “Where’s the camera?” “If it's not in the cupboard, Ken __________________ it. He said he
was going to take some photos of the city center today.” (use)
6. The children are putting balloons outside their house. They ______________ a party. (have)
7. I didn't think Bob was coming to the meeting. He __________________ his mind. (change)
8. “I wonder how you get permission to go into the building.” “I suppose you _____________
some form of identification.” (show)
9. “I thought Paul would be home.” “He ________________ Jenny to work. He said he would.”
(take)
10. Look at all those birds. There _____________________ at least a thousand of them. (be)

Practice 3: Write new sentences with a similar meaning. Use have/has got to where it is
possible or preferable; otherwise use have/has to.
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1. It is necessary to do all of this photocopying before lunchtime.
All of this photocopying has got to be done/ has to be done before lunchtime.
2. It is rarely necessary to ask Suzanne to tidy her room.
Suzanne __________________________________________________________________
3. Is it necessary for us to hand in the homework tomorrow?
Have _____________________________________________________________________
4. It wasn't necessary for me to go to the hospital after all.
I ________________________________________________________________________
5. Was it necessary for Ben to go alone?
Did _____________________________________________________________________
6. It is sometimes necessary for Don to start work at 6.30.
Don _____________________________________________________________________
7. It is necessary to extend the college to accommodate the growing number of students.
The college _______________________________________________________________
8. It may be necessary for us to cancel our holiday because my mother is ill.
We ______________________________________________________________________

Practice 4: Where necessary, make corrections in the underlined parts of this email
message.

Hello Marge

Sony I haven't been in touch for a while. You (1) must have been wondering what's been
happening. Well, I must admit I've had a pretty awful week. When I got home from work last
Monday, the front door was wide open. The door’s very stiff, and I (2) always have got to pull it
very hard to shut it. My neighbor’s always saying, "(3) Have you to bang the door so hard?"
When I went in I found that the house had been burgled. They (4) must have climbed over the
fence in the back garden. None of the windows and doors were damaged, so someone very small
(5) must have to squeeze through the tiny window in the kitchen. I suppose I (6) must leave it
open, but I didn't expect anyone to be able to get in. Then they (7) must have come through the
house and opened the front door for the others. Of course, the first thing I did was to call the
police and I (8) mustn't wait very long for them to get here. Fortunately, the only thing that was
taken was my television. I think the burglars (9) must be disturbed, perhaps when the postman
came. So now (10) I’ve to get a new lock for the front door and replace the television, and I (11)
must put some locks on the windows. I suppose I (12) may must get a burglar alarm, too. I must
say I've never really wanted one, but needs must!

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Anyway, (13) I've to go. Hope the family is well. Julie (14) must get ready to go back to
university. And you (15) must be busy with the new school year just about to start. When you
have time, we (16) have to get together for a weekend.

All the best for now,

Wendy

 Can you find three other common expressions with must?

6. Advisability

Forms Similar Usages and Examples

expressions
had better + Give advice to SO or say what we consider is right
You should/ ought to visit your dentist twice a year for a check-
up.
should + Imply a warning or a threat of possible bad consequences
ought to You had better not drive home now. You are still drunk.
+ Give hindsight advice or express what was good to do, but not
done in the past
A: “I took a taxi to the airport yesterday. It cost $25.”
B: “You should/ ought to have taken a bus. It is much cheaper.”

Practice 1: Give advice in the following situations by using should, ought to, or had better.
1. I’m writing a composition, and there is a word I don’t know how to spell.
………………………………………………………………………………………
2. I don’t feel good. I think I’m catching a cold.
………………………………………………………………………………………
3. I can’t see the blackboard when I sit in the back row.
………………………………………………………………………………………
4. I’m cold.
………………………………………………………………………………………
5. I need to improve my English.
………………………………………………………………………………………
6. I can’t stop yawning.
………………………………………………………………………………………
7. There’s no food in my house, and some guests are coming to dinner tonight.
………………………………………………………………………………………
8. I have a toothache.
………………………………………………………………………………………
9. My friend is arriving at the airport this evening. I’m supposed to pick him up, but I have
forgotten what time his plane gets in.
………………………………………………………………………………………
10. I have the hiccups.
………………………………………………………………………………………
11. I have only twenty-five cents in my pocket, but I need some money to go out tonight.

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 ………………………………………………………………………………………
12. My roommate snores and I can’t (get to) sleep.
………………………………………………………………………………………
13. My library book is due today.
………………………………………………………………………………………
14. I’m about to leave on a trip, but the gas gauge in my car is on empty.
………………………………………………………………………………………

Practice 2: Complete these sentences with should/ ought to + infinitive (active), should/ ought
to be + past participle (passive), or should/ ought to have + past participle using each of these
verbs once only.
answer arrive be go put remove resign send take visit wear win

1. He is running so well at the moment that Thomas _________ the 800 metres easily.
2. Where __________ I __________ the cheese? In the fridge?
3. The tickets __________ a couple of weeks before we go on holiday.
4. Payment for the full amount _____________ with this application form.
5. You really _________ the exhibition before it doses. There are some wonderful paintings.
6. Don told us not to rake this road. We ___________ his advice.
7. All packaging ___________ before switching on the printer for the first time.
8. It's important to look smart at the interview. You __________ a suit.
9. There are many people who think the President ______________ years ago.
10. ___________ we __________ the questions in English or in French?
11. If you want my advice, I ___________ by train rather than car.
12. I can't imagine what's happened to Kathy. She __________ here by now.

In which sentences can you use should or must and in which can you only use must? Where
both are possible, consider the difference between should and must.
1. A timetable ____________ be set for withdrawing the army.
2. Les isn't home yet. He ___________ have been held up at work.
3. “I wonder how old Mike is?” “Well, he went to school with my mother, so he ________ be
well over 50.”
4. If you smell gas, you ____________ phone the emergency number.
5. You __________ try to visit Nepal - it's a beautiful country.
6. 'I know I'm always complaining that my house is small, but it's very convenient for work.'
'Yes, it ___________ be handy living so close to your office.'

Where necessary correct these sentences using should/ought to, must, shall, or had better, or
write V.
1. Cyclists had better not be allowed to ride on pavements, even where roads are very busy.

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2. “There's something wrong with David's computer yet again.” “He should wish he'd never
bought it.”
3. The concert starts at 7.45. I'd better make a note of that.
4. I shall take my library books back today, but I don't think I'll have time.
5. “The children from next door have been throwing Stones at our windows.” “Well, they
shouldn't do it again, otherwise I'll call the police.”
6. “I'm freezing.” “You 'd better have worn a thicker coat.”
7. We have to be in Bristol by 4.00. I think we'd better get started.
8. I should phone Gary this evening, but it will probably be too late by the time I get home.
9. “I've looked all over the house and can't find the car keys.” “Well, if they're not here, they must
still be in the car.”
10. We believe that parents had better pay grandparents to look after their children.

7. Polite requests

Form Similar expressions Usages and Examples

s
+ Ask SO to do ST
can Can/ could/ will/ would you help me with my translation?
could would you mind + Would you mind opening the door?
will Ving
would Note: “Could you”, “would you” and “would you mind +
Ving” are more polite and formal than “will you” and “can
you”.

Practice 1: Make a polite request for each given situation below

1. You’re speaking on the phone to your brother. You want him to pick you up at the airport
when you arrive.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
2. You are at a gas station. You want the attendant to check the oil.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
3. You are in your chemistry class. You don’t understand a formula on page 100. You want
your professor to explain this formula to you.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
4. You want to see your friend’s dictionary for a minute.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
5. You want a stranger in an airport to keep an eye on your luggage while you get a drink of
water.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

8. Offers

Form Similar Usages and Examples

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 s expressions
shall + Offer to do ST for SO
will Shall/ will/ can/ could/ I help you with that suitcase?
can would you like Would you like me to help you with that suitcase?
could
would + Offer ST to SO
Would you like a cup of tea?

9. Suggestions

Form Similar expressions Usages and Examples

s
+ Suggest ST to SO
How about + Ving Shall/ can/ could/ we go out tonight?
shall
What about + Ving How about/ what about going out tonight?
can
Why don’t Why don’t we go out tonight?
could
Let’s Let’s we go out tonight?

Practice 1: Use “could” to make a suggestion or “should” to give strong, definite advice.
Example: I need to get to the airport. Any suggestions?
Possible response: A: You could take a taxi or the airport bus. Or I could take you if I can borrow
my brother’s car.
Possible response: B: In my opinion, you should take the airport bus.

1. I don’t have any plans for this weekend. I need some suggestions.
………………………………………………………………………………………
2. I went to a restaurant for dinner last night, but the food was terrible. Do you have any
suggestions?
………………………………………………………………………………………
3. I need to get a car, but it can be very expensive. Any suggestions?
………………………………………………………………………………………
4. I’m hungry, but I’m too tired to cook. Any suggestions?
………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Ted doesn’t feel good. He had a bad stomachache. Any suggestions?
………………………………………………………………………………………

Note: Past forms of modal auxiliaries

Would/ could/ should/ may/ might/ must + have + past participle

 Would + have + past participle: used in third conditional sentences

Example
+ If I had come to the party last night, I would have met my old friends.

 Could + have + past participle: lẽ ra đã có thể (ability, suggestion)

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 Examples
+ Last month, I intended to buy that house but I didn’t have enough money. I
could have bought the house if I had had enough money (ability-third condition)
+ I failed my math class. You could have asked Ann to help you (suggestion).

 Should + have + past participle: lẽ ra nên (advice)

Example
+ You came home very late last night. We were worried about you. You should
have called us.

 May/ might/ could/ must + have + past participle: có lẽ đã, chắc là đã,
ắt hẳn đã (possibilities)
Example
+ He didn’t come yesterday. There may/ might/ could/ must have been something
wrong with him.

Practice 1: Complete the following sentences by using would/ should/ might + have + past
participle form of the verbs in bracket.

1. If I had gone to the sales, I’m sure I………………………something. (buy)

2. Clare was very upset because you didn’t go to her birthday party. You
……………………… (go)
3. No one’s answering the phone. They………………………out. (go)
4. The light are out. They………………………to sleep. (go)
5. We………………………Dave to the party if we had known he was in town. (invite)
6. You………………………at Samantha. She’ll never forgive you. (shout - negative)
7. I………………………to have done some acting when I was younger. (love)
8. You………………………to the pub on Saturday. We had a great time. (come)
9. She………………………her mind. I’m not sure. (change)
10. You ………………………so much money on CDs. You’ll have problems getting to the
end of the month now. (spend - negative)
11. She told me she………………………you if you had given her your address. (email)
12. She’s really shy. You………………………her you liked her. (tell)
13. She………………………yes to a date. You never know. (say)
14. You………………………her weight. She was very upset. (mention - negative)

Practice 2: Choose the correct completion.

Example: Peter…C……rather sleep on a mattress than on the floor.
A. shall B. could C. would D. must
1. Al painted his bedroom black. It looks dark and dreary. He…………a different color.
A. had to choose C. must have chosen
B. should have chosen D. could have been choosing
2. Tom is sitting at his desk. He’s reading his chemistry text because he has a test tomorrow.
He…………
A. could study C. will study
B. should be studying D. must be studying
3. When Mr. Lee was younger, he…………work in the garden for hours, but now he has to take
frequent rests because he has emphysema.
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A. has got to C. should be able to
B. can D. could
4. Whenever my parents went out in the evening, I…………the job of taking care of my younger
brother.
A. would get C. must have gotten
B. should get D. had better get
5. Yesterday I…………to a furniture store. I bought a new lamp there.
A. could go C. could have gone
B. went D. ought to have gone
6. Tom wasn’t at the party last night. He must not…………a ride. I know he wanted to come, but
he didn’t have a ride.
A. be able to have gotten C. have been able to get
B. to have been able to get D. be able to get
7. Robert has a new car. He…….it for a good price. He paid 30 percent less than the regular retail
cost.
A. could buy C. was supposed to buy
B. has to buy D. was able to buy
8. “Did you enjoy the picnic?”
“It was okay, but I’d rather ……. to a movie.”
A. go B. be going C. have gone D. went
9. “Why are you so sure that Ann didn’t commit the crime she’s been accused of committing?”
“She ……… that crime because I was with her, and we were out of town that day.”
A. may not have committed C. committed
B. wasn’t supposed to commit D. couldn’t have committed
10. “Since we have to be there in a hurry, we……. take a taxi.”
“I agree.”
A. had better C. have been used to
B. may D. are able to
11. “It ………. rain this evening. Why don’t you take an umbrella?”
“That’s a good idea. May I borrow yours?”
A. had better B. could be C. must D. might
12. “……. you hand me that pair of scissors, please?”
“Certainly.”
A. May B. Shall C. Will D. Should
13. Larry drove all night to get here for his sister’s wedding. He………exhausted by the time he
arrived.
A. ought to be C. must have been
B. could be D. will have been
14. “What are you doing here now? You……….be here for another three hours.”
“I know. We got an early start, and it took less time that we expected. I hoped you don’t mind.”
A. couldn’t C. had better not
B. might not D. aren’t supposed to
15. “…………. taking me downtown on your way to work this morning?”
“Not at all.”
A. Can you C. Would you mind
B. Why don’t you D. Could you please
16. “I locked myself out of my apartment. I didn’t know what to do.”
“You…………. your roommate.”
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A. could have called C. would have called
B. may have called D. must have called
17. “You haven’t eaten anything since yesterday afternoon. You………….be really hungry!”
A. may B. will C. can D. must
18. “How long have you been married?”
“We…………. have been married for twenty-years on our next anniversary.”
A. must B. should C. will D. could
19. “I…………there at 6 P.M. for the meeting, but my car doesn’t start. Could you please give
me a lift in your car?”
“Sure. Are you ready to go now?”
A. will be B. may be C. supposed to be D. have got to be
20. “I left a cookie on the table, but now it’s gone. What happened to it?”
“I don’t know. One of the children…………it.”
A. may have eaten C. had to eat
B. could eat D. should have eaten

Practice 3: Look at these sentences and find out the usages of model auxiliaries.
1. My brother could swim when he was two.
2. I don’t know where Jaime is. He could be at home.
3. May I sit here?
4. You can’t get up until you’re better.
5. All visitors must report to reception on arrival.
6. She should go out more often.
7. Could you help me with my translation?
8. Can I help you with that suitcase?
9. Shall we go out tonight?

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