MODAL VERBS (ĐỘNG TỪ KHUYẾT THIẾU)
A. Định nghĩa:
- Modal verbs (độ ng từ khuyết thiếu) là độ ng từ nhưng lạ i khô ng diễn tả hà nh độ ng mà nó chỉ giú p bổ nghĩa cho
độ ng từ chính.
- Nhữ ng độ ng từ khuyết thiếu nà y có thể dù ng cho tấ t cả cá c ngô i chủ ngữ và khô ng chia thì. Cá c độ ng từ đi theo
sau độ ng từ khuyết thiếu đượ c giữ nguyên.
B. Cách dùng:
MODAL
USAGES
VERBS
Diễn tả khả nă ng mộ t ngườ i có
thể là m đượ c gì, hoặ c mộ t sự
CAN
việc có thể xả y ra ở hiện tạ i hoặ c
tương lai.
Diễn tả khả nă ng mộ t ngườ i có
COULD thể là m đượ c gì, hoặ c mộ t sự
việc có thể xả y ra trong quá khứ .
Diễn tả khả nă ng mộ t việc có thể
MAY xả y ra ở hiện tạ i nhưng khô ng
chắ c.
Diễn tả khả nă ng mộ t việc có thể
xả y ra trong quá khứ .
 Trong trườ ng hợ p Might
khô ng đượ c dù ng như thể quá
MIGHT
khứ củ a May, lú c nà y Might
đượ c dù ng để diễn tả khả nă ng
xả y ra củ a sự việc nhưng thấ p
hơn May.
- Diễn tả sự cầ n thiết, bắ t buộ c ở
hiện tạ i hoặ c tương lai.
MUST - Đưa ra suy luậ n mang tính
chắ c chắ n, yêu cầ u đượ c nhấ n
mạ nh.
Diễn tả sự cầ n thiết phả i là m gì
HAVE TO đó nhưng là do khá ch quan (nộ i
quy, quy định, ...)
- Diễn đạ t, dự đoá n sự việc xả y
ra trong tương lai.
- Đưa ra mộ t quyết định tạ i thờ i
WILL
điểm nó i.
- Thể hiện ý muố n, đưa ra mộ t
lờ i hứ a
Diễn tả mộ t giả định xả y ra hoặ c
WOULD dự doá n sự việc có thể xả y ra
trong quá khứ .
- Dù ng trong câ u yêu cầ u hay
lờ i mờ i lịch sự .
SHALL
- Dù ng để xin ý kiến, lờ i khuyên
(Will đượ c sử dụ ng nhiều hơn)
- Chỉ sự bắ t buộ c hay bổ n phậ n
nhưng ở mứ c độ nhẹ hơn Must.
- Đưa ra ý kiến, lờ i khuyên.
SHOULD
- Dù ng để suy đoá n
OUGHT Chỉ sự bắ t buộ c. Mạ nh hơn
TO Should nhưng chưa bằ ng Must.
NEED a. Độ ng từ thườ ng need:
EXAMPLES
- I can speak some French.
- It can rain.
- I couldn’t speak English
when I was six.
- It may take two hours.
- She may not leave until he
says so.
- It might rain.
- She might not be at school.
- I must be here before 8a.m.
- It must be hot outside, I can
feel it.
- I have to wear a helmet
while driving a motorbike.
- I will graduate soon.
- Tim will always be late!
- Will you marry me?
- I will never leave Hanoi.
- She said she would send me
a letter soon.
- Shall we dance?
- Where shall we eat tonight?
- People should not litter.
- You should talk to your
teachers when you get
pressure from schoolwork.
- I think it should stay sunny
all afternoon.
- You ought not to eat candy
at night.
- She needs to see you.
NOTES
Can và Could cò n đượ c
dù ng trong câu hỏi đề
nghị, xin phép, yêu cầu.
Ex:
- Could you please wait a
moment?
- Can I sit here?
May và Might dù ng để xin
phép nhưng có tính trang
trọ ng hơn can/could.
Nhưng might ít đượ c dù ng
khô ng vă n nó i, chủ yếu
trong câ u giá n tiếp.
Ex:
- May I sit here?
- I wondered if he might go
there alone.
Mustn’t – chỉ sự cấm
đoán
Ex: You mustn’t smoke
here.
Don’t have to = Don’t
need to = needn’t
- chỉ sự không cần thiết
Will và Would đượ c dù ng
trong câ u đề nghị, yêu cầ u,
và lờ i mờ i.
Ex:
- Will you give me her
address?
- Would you go and wait
outside for a bit?
Chỉ dù ng cho ngô i I và We
Had better = Should
 S + need (thì) + to-inf - You needn’t work so hard.
b. Need là modal verbs:
S + need + V-inf
 PRACTICE: MODAL VERBS
Task 1: Choose the correct answer:
1. All students wear uniforms at school because it is a rule.
A should B. have to C. ought to D. must
2. You finish your homework before you go to bed.
A. must B. can C. should D. ought to
3. This drink isn’t beneficial for health. You drink it too much.
A. needn’t B. ought to not C. ought not to D. mustn’t
4. This warning sign indicates that you step on the grass.
A. shouldn’t B. mustn’t C. don’t have to D. ought not to
5. I think you do exercise regularly in order to keep your body in good shape.
A. must B. should C. ought to D. Both B and C
6. I will lend you some money, but you pay it back to me next week.
A. should B. have to C. must D. mustn’t
7. Hoa feed the cats because her mother has done it already.
A. can’t B. doesn’t have to C. mustn’t D. doesn’t need
8. Those audiences show their tickets before entering the concert hall.
A. have to B. must C. ought to D. could
9. The children spend too much time playing computer games.
A. mustn’t B. ought to not C. shouldn’t D. couldn’t
10. In case you're suffered from the injury, you see the doctor today.
A. should B. must C. ought D. may
11. Water park is free for kids under 6 years old, so you pay money for your son.
A. mightn’t B. mustn’t C. needn’t to D. don’t have to
12. You look totally exhausted. You take a rest instead of working overtime.
A. should B. ought C. must D. can
13. Anyone have a passport, even a visa when travelling all around the world.
A. ought to B. must C. should D. has to
14. In the peak season, travellers book their accommodation in advance.
A. have to B. must C. should D. ought
15. My car broke down yesterday, so I catch a taxi to the office.
A. could B. would C. had to D. might
16. We eat as much fruit as possible in order to get enough vitamins for our bodies.
A. had better B. should C. ought to D. All are correct
17. You tell anyone what I've revealed to you. It's still a secret.
A. mustn’t B. needn’t C. ought not to D. don’t have to
18. If you still want to maintain this relationship, you behave improperly like that.
A. ought to not B. ought not to C. mustn’t D. don’t have to
19. When playing or swimming in the pool, children be accompanied by their parents.
A. should B. must C. will D. need
20. We go to work by car. Sky train is a wise choice during rush hour.
A. ought to B. mustn’t C. shouldn’t D. have to
21. He anything because he’s driving.
A. don’t have to drink B. mightn’t drink C. shouldn’t drink D. can’t drink
22. “Are you coming to Jeff’s party?” – “I’m not sure. I go to the concert instead.”
A. must B. would C. should D. may
23. Although nobody can prevent you from spending your own money, you save for a rainy day.
A. must B. shall C. had better D. ought
24. “Will you stay for lunch?” – “Sorry, I . My brother is coming to see me.”
A. mustn’t B. can’t C. needn’t D. won’t
25. You 17 to get a driving license in the UK.
A. must be B. should be C. have to be D. ought to be
26. The fire spread through the hotel very quickly but everyone get out.
A. might B. would C. could D. was able to
27. Johnny, you play with the knife, you hurt yourself.
A. won’t / can’t B. mustn’t / may C. shouldn’t / must D. can’t / shouldn’t
28. When he was there, he go to that coffee shop at the corner after work every day.
A. would B. should C. could D. might
29. Sir, you be sitting in this waiting room. It is for women and children only.
A. oughtn’t to B. can’t C. won’t D. needn’t
30. You to come if you are tired.
A. mustn’t B. can’t C. don’t have D. may not

Task 2: Choose the correct option a, b or c to complete the sentences.

1. _________ sit here, or do you want me to sit somewhere else?
a. Could you b. Shall I c. Why don’t we
2. I don’t think you’ve understood this. _________ look at Unit 12 again.
a. If I were you b. You shouldn’t c. I think you should
3. We need to talk about our presentation. _________ meet after school tomorrow?
a. Why don’t we b. How about c. Do we have to
4. That’s not very nice way to talk to other people. _________ speak like that.
a. Is it all right if I b. Would you mind c. I don’t think you should
5. Mrs. Allan is leaving at the end of term. _________ buy her a present.
a. Let’s b. We don’t have to c. Why not
6. I don’t think I can do this on my own. _________ helping me?
a. Would you like b. I think you should c. Do you mind
7. Parking in this street is prohibited. _________ park here.
a. I think you should b. You mustn’t c. You don’t have to
8. I’m sorry I haven’t got my homework. _________ forget it again?
a. Do you mind if I b. Shall I c. Why don’t we

Task 3: Rewrite the sentences without changing its meaning, using given modal verbs in the brackets:
1. Perhaps Peter has her phone number. (may)

2. It’s possible that Jane is in England now. (may)

3. May father is able to speak 3 languages fluently. (can)

4. It isn’t necessary for you to take care of all the things in this office. (need)

5. Is it possible for me to borrow your books when you finish reading it? (can)

6. You are obliged to show your ID card when you enter this place. (must)

7. We expected that he would visit us but he didn’t. (should)

8. The best thing for you to do now is to take a short nap. (should)

9. You are not allowed to pick the flowers and plants here. (must)

10. He hasn’t replied to my email. It's possible he didn't get you message. (might)

11. It’s impolite of them to wear hats in the pagoda. (should)

12. Is it necessary for me to tip in a coffee shop? (have to)

13. It’s really important to remove your shoes when entering a temple. (must)

14. If I were you, I’d ask them about their customs. (should)

15. Photography is not allowed at some sacred places. (must)