Modal verbs

Test it C
1 Find and correct the mistakes in the sentences.
Chris cans play the trombone. can
a I think you should work harder. thinks
b Do you can speak Japanese? Can you
c Mary thinks it may rain later. might
d The twins must tidy their bedroom. should
e Sally musts go to the dentist soon. must
f I’m sorry but we must to go now. Must go now

g That can’t be the postman. It’s much too early. It’s too early
h The dog didn’t should steal food from the fridge. Shouldn’t
i We maying go to France in September. may
j Could you lend me your dictionary? can

2 Use a suitable modal to complete the sentences. Use some modals more than once.
Sometimes there is more than one correct answer.
can can’t could must mustn’t shouldn’t may might
You haven’t slept for two days. You must t be tired.

a I want the salt, please. could you pass me the salt,

please?
b It’s a bad idea for you to go. You shouldn’t go.
c It’s possible it’ll rain tomorrow. It might rain tomorrow.
d Do you have the ability to swim? can you swim?
e Do not park here. You can’t park here.
f Is it OK if I use your phone? can I use your phone?
g That isn’t a bird. It’s impossible! That can’t be a bird!
h It’s important that you stop smoking. You must stop smoking.
i It’s possible I’ll ask you to help me. I may ask you to help me.
j Fred is unable to sing. Fred can’t sing.

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GO to page 64 and check your answers.

© Oxford University Press

62

© Oxford University Press

 Modal verbs

Test it again C
1 Circle the best option.
If you like thrillers, you can/should/might see Madrid Central X.
a Jeff may not/can’t/might not ride a bicycle. He never learnt to do it.
b I’m sure you can’t/couldn’t/must be tired. You were awake all night.
c It might/can/must be a nice weekend. If it is, we’ll go to the beach.
d May/Should/Could you close the window? I’m cold.
e Mobile phones can/must/might be switched off during the flight.
f You really should/could/might stop smoking.
g That can/should/can’t be a spider. It’s only got six legs.
h Tom isn’t here. He can/may/shouldn’t be at home.
i You shouldn’t/couldn’t/mustn’t forget your passport this time!
j Drivers can/may/should go more slowly. There are too many accidents.

2 Write new sentences or questions with similar meanings, using modals.

More than one answer may be possible.
Luke isn’t guilty – it’s impossible. Luke can’t be guiltty.
a I want a glass of water. Can you give a glass of water please?
b Lock the door, please. Could you close the door ?
Could you do something for me ?
c Do you want me to help you?
You can’t smokingin the library or schools
d No smoking in the library.
Maybe you could be right
e It’s possible that you’re right.

3 Find and correct five mistakes in the dialogue.

JO Where can Bill to be? He musts be here soon. He left Be
hours ago!
must
NICK I think you should call him on the mobile. He must to must have
have it with him.
JO I can’t. My battery is flat. Must I borrow yours? can
NICK Yes, sure. Here you are.
JO No answer. Now what do I should do?
NICK You should stop worrying. I’m sure he won’t be long.
He mays arrive any moment. may

20

63
 Fix it
Answers to Test it 64 mays may
Check your answers. Wrong answer?
Read the right Fix it note to find out
why.
1 ● cans can ³ A
a correct ³ F
b Do you can Can you ³
D c correct ³
G
d correct ³ I
e musts must ³
A f must to go must go ³
B g correct ³
H
h didn’t should shouldn’t ³ D
i maying may ³
C
j correct ³ E
2 ● must ³ H
a Can/Could ³ E
b shouldn’t ³ F
c may/might ³ G
d Can ³ E
e mustn’t ³ I
f Can/Could/May ³ E
g can’t ³ H
h must ³ I
i may/might/could ³ G
j can’t ³ E

Now go to page 63. Test yourself

again.

Answers to Test it again

1 a can’t f should
b must g can’t
c might h may
d Could i mustn’t
e must j should
2 a Can/Could/May I have a glass of
water?
b Can/Could you lock the door?
c Can I help you?
d You mustn’t smoke in the library.
e You may/might/could be right.
3 musts must
must to have must have
Must I? Can/Could/May
I? do I should do should I do
 Fix it notes Use can, could or may to ask for or
give permission. Use can/could you to
A make a request.
Never put s on the third person
singular form of modal verbs. F
Use should/shouldn’t to ask for or give
B someone advice.
Use the base form of the verb (not the
to infinitive) after modal verbs. G
Use may, might and could to talk about
C possibilities.
Modal verbs haven’t got infinitives
or participles. H
Use must and can’t to make
D logical deductions.
Make modal questions and
negative sentences without do. I
Use must and mustn’t to talk about
E obligations.
Use can/can’t to talk about ability.
© Oxford University Press

For more information, see the

Review page opposite.
 Modal verbs
Modal verbs
i Review • You never put s
on the third
person singular
form of modal
verbs.
H
e

c
a
n

d
o

i
t
!

N
O
T
H

i
t
!

I
t

m
i
g
h
t

r
a
i
n
.

N
O
T

I
 t t
o
m
i g
g o
h
t t
s o

r t
a h
i e
n
.
b
a
• You use the
n
base form of
the verb, not k
the to .
infinitive, after
modal verbs. J
I o

m c
u a
s n
t ’
t
g
o c
o
t m
o e

t t
h o
e n
i
g
b
h
a
t
n
.
k
. J
NOT
o
I

c
m
a
u
n
s
’
t
t
 t e
o s
t
i
c o
o n
m s
e
a
n
t
d
o
n
n
i e
g g
h a
t t
. i
v
Note e
that
modal s
verbs e
haven’ n
t
t got e
infinitiv n
es or c
partici e
ples. s
You
can’t w
say ‘to i
t
should
h
’ or o
‘mayin u
g’ or t
‘muste
d’. d
o
• Y .
o
u C
a
m n
a
k I
e
h
m e
o l
d p
a
l y
o
q u
u ?
NOT
D we go
o out?
borrow
c your car?
a
Can I
n
have a
I drink?

• You use
h
can/could you to
e
make a request.
l
Can you shut
p
the door?
you pass me
y the salt?
o
u
• You use
?
should/shouldn
He shouldn’t ’t to ask for or
say that. NOT give someone
He don’t advice.
should say What should I
that. say to Mum?

• You use apologize.

can/can’t to shouldn’t do
talk about that.
ability.
I can swim. He • You use may,
can’t read. might and
could to talk
• You use about
can, possibilities.
could or I
may to t
ask for or
give m
permissi a
on. Note y
that may
is more r
formal a
and less i
common n
than can
or could. d
You also u
use can r
to ask for i
things. n
Can I g
stay up
late
t
tonight?
h
Could
e
 a
n r
i .
g
h • You
use
t
must
. and
Jack might be can’t to
a make
t logical
deducti
ons.
h Usuall
o y the
m deducti
e on is
based
on
b somet
y hing
you
n know
now.
o
Y
w
o
.
u

T
m
h
u
e
s
t
k
e
b
y
e
s

h
c
u
o
n
u
g
l
r
d
y
.
b
e
I

i
k
n
n
o
t w
h
e
y
o
c u
 t
h ’
a s
v
e g
n o
’ t
t
t
e o
a o
t
e m
n a
n
a y
n
y l
t e
h g
i s
n .
g
. • You use must
and mustn’t to
talk about
T
obligations.
h Passengers
a must switch off
t their mobile
phones.
mustn’t park
c
here.
a
n
’
t
65
b © Oxford University
e Press

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n

i
n
s
e
c
t
.