2 BAC / ENGLISH MODALS

A Ability
In the PRESENT: In the PAST :
can + v / can’t + v could + v / couldn’t + v

- I can’t tell any funny jokes, but I can make people laugh - I could write funny jokes when I was a kid, but I
by impersonating celebrities. I’m a great impersonator. couldn’t tell them like a professional comedian would.
- A : Can you play the piano ? - A : Could you ride motorbikes when you were a kid ?
- B : No, I can’t, but I can play other instruments. - B : No, I couldn’t. I was too young for that.

B Advice
In the PRESENT: In the PAST :
should + v / need to + v / shouldn’t + v should have + past participle / shouldn’t have + pp

- Fan : Say, Echo, what does it take to be a successful
comedian like you ?
- Stand-up Comedian : Well, first you should believe in
yourself and talent. Second, you need to understand that
comedy isn’t just about making people laugh. Additionally,
You shouldn’t use your sense of humor or comedy to
offend other people.
- A : What’s the matter, friend ? You look awful today.
- B : My tooth. It gave me a terrible pain yesterday,
especially at work.
- A : And what did you do about it ?
- B : Nothing at all. I Just took some rest after work.
- A : Well, you should’ve seen a dentist. You shouldn’t
have gone to work in the first place.

C Obligation / Necessity or absence of it

In the PRESENT: In the PAST :
have to + v / must + v / needn’t + v / don’t have to +v had to + v / didn’t have to + v / didn’t need to + v

- You have to respect our rules and accept our conditions - I had to apply for a visa to visit a friend of mine in
to join our comedy club. the U.S.A last year.

- All baccalaureate candidates must turn off their phones - People had to stay indoors during the first days of
off before entering the exam room. coronavirus pandemic to limit the spread of the virus.

- You needn’t apply for a visa to visit Turkey; it’s a visa- - I didn’t have to apply for a visa to visit Tunisia last
free country. year. It’s one of those visa-free countries.

- You don’t have to speak all the languages if you want to - We didn’t need to speak any Chinese during our stay
travel the world. A good mastery of English is enough. in China. Our good English got us through.

D Prohibition
In the PRESENT:
mustn’t + v / can’t + v

-A : Sir,you mustn’t smoke here. Look .. a “no-smoking zone”! -C : You can’t park here,Miss. It’s for staff only.
-B : I’m sorry. I didn’t see the sign. -D : Oh. Really ? Sorry, I didn’t know that.

E Permission
In the PRESENT:
may + v / may not + v / can + v / can’t + v
- Student : Sir, may I go to the restroom ? - Son : Mom, my car is out of gas. Can I take my father’s car ?
- Teacher : Sure, you may go now. - Mom : No,you can’t. You can take mine, but please drive safely.
 F Possibility / Probability
In the PRESENT:
may (might) + v / could + v
- Salma : Are you coming to my birthday party tonight ?
- Kadim : Well, I’m not sure. I may come if I have time.
- Look ! There are clouds in the sky. It could rain any time.
In the PAST :
may (might) have + past participle / could’ve + p.p
-Boss : Where is my office key ? Have you seen it ?
-Assistant : No. You may have forgotten it at home.
-Boss : Probably .... Or I could’ve left it in the car.

G Logical Conclusion or Assumption

In the PRESENT: In the PAST :
must be + noun or adjective / can’t be + noun or adjective must have been + noun or adjective
-Jack : Unbelievable ! That man has just spent a thousand - Sara : Mr.Talbi didn’t show up for work yesterday.
dollars on a drink. I’m very surprised !
-Kyle : Really ? He must be a millionaire, then ! - Ali : I know. He’s a devoted and punctual teacher.
-Jack : He must be crazy, I assume ! He must have been sick or something.
-Kyle : I agree; he can’t be a normal person. - Sara : There must have been some good reason.

PRACTICE : Fill in each blank with the correct modal from the lists. Your score............. / 20

a mustn’t couldn’t may have have to must have must needn’t

1. you ....................................................................... bring your car tomorrow. My father is going to drive us there in his car.
2. I ……………………………………………….………. sleep last night because of the fever. I’m so exhausted right now.
3. As a Muslim, you .................................................................eat pork or drink alcohol. They’re strictly forbidden in Islam.
4. In Morocco, baccalaureate students ................................................................. get excellent grades to be accepted into medical school.
5. He’s got three fancy BMW cars and a private jet all to himself. His father .............................................................. be a millionaire.

b can’t might had to have to needn’t must could

6. Here , take this money. Who knows ? You ...................................................................... need it when you get there.
7. Layla wasn’t happy about yesterday’s test. It ......................................................................... have been too hard for her.
9. - A : I’m sorry, Miss , but you ...........................................................bring your dog inside the building.
- B : Why not ?
- A : It’s strictly against the company’s policy. No animals are allowed in.
10. I really didn’t .................................................................. study that much for the test last week. I knew It was going to be so easy.

c mustn’t can may had to needn’t must can’t

11. - A : Are you going to play football with us this afternoon ?
- B : No. I ........................................................................ I have sore muscles.
12. You............................................................. pack any warm clothes for the trip to Marrakech. It’s already pretty hot in there.
13. I ....................................................................... use a dictionary in order to understand the text I read yesterday. It was too difficult.
14. - A : Did you lock the door ?
- B : Oh! No ! I’m not sure really. I ………………………………………………………. have left it unlocked actually.
15. We ........................................................................... call his parents now. It’s an emergency !

d can’t need to may had to could mustn’t shouldn’t

16. - Brother :........................................................................ I use your computer ?
- Sister : Yes, but not now. I’m using it to type in my report.
17. When I was a child I ………………………………………………. sing like a real professional. Everyone liked my singing.
18. I think you ………………………..……… buy a brand new cellphone. This one is outdated, and it’s not functioning properly.
19. - A : I really want to watch some movies this weekend , but my DVD player is down. I need to have it fixed as soon as possible.
- B : You ....................................................................... borrow mine if you want. Just make sure you bring it back on Monday.
- A : Oh ! I surely will. Thanks a lot.
20. I …………………………………………… not go with you to Sam’s birthday party tomorrow. I have a lot of work to do.