Booklet p.103-p.

108
 MODAL VERBS

• are verbs, such as 'can', 'might' and 'must', that are

used with another verb to express an idea like ability,
possibility, probability, logical assumptions,
permissions, requests, offer, suggestions, advice,
criticism, obligation, prohibition or necessity which
are not expressed by the main verb of a sentence.
advice

Can
Could
will
 A - S TU D Y TH E F O L L O WI N G S E N TE N C E S TH E N C L A S S I F Y E A C H
S E N TE N C E A C C O R D I N G TO I TS P U R P O S E :

6-Roger must have exerted a lot of effort.

1-You should look for a new job.
He is still sleeping.
2-You should have done your 7-You must clean your room right now.
homework yesterday. It’s extremely dirty.
3-I can do this job very well. 8-Dad may have come early yesterday. I
4-David must be at home by now. didn’t see him as I slept early.
He left 2 hours ago. 9-I could run faster than that when I was
5-I can’t have seen Jenny yesterday. young.
She is abroad. 10-The students can’t be at school today.
It’s a national holiday.
 Uses Structure of Modal
1-I am sure the action happened in the past. 6 must +have +p.p
2-The sentence expresses ability in the past. 9 could +inf.

3-The sentence expresses a piece of advice in the present. should +inf.

1
4-I am sure that the action doesn’t happen in the present. can’t be
10
5- Present positive deduction. 4 must be
6-The sentence expresses ability in the present. 3 can + inf.
7- Blaming and criticism. 2
8-Expressing strong obligation. 7 must + inf.
9-Being sure that something didn’t happen in the past. 5 can’t +have +p.p
10-Expressing the possibility of the action in the past. 8 may +have +p.p
 B - TFH i lE
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e c o rAr eBcAN
t mKo dRa O l vBeBr bE:RY T H IS MO R N ING
tAN
h e rD e w T aHsEaPbOaL nk ICEr o bObFe rFyICt hER
is m MRo r n. iJnO gN aEnd S WAS
the po SlEi cNeT
o f f i c eTr O m r.
INjVE
o n eSsTw IGa sATE
s e n. tHt E
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n vR e sEt P
i gOa RTt e . ING
h e i sHrISeporting
h i sCcOoN nc lus
CL i on t N
USIO o tThO e T
c hHi e
Ef Co Hf tIE
h eFpO oF l i cTeH.c EoPmOpL l eIC
t e Ew. h a t
he says. C O MP L ET E W H AT H E S AY S .

• “Well sir, it 1) ………………………………………………

must have been (be) a professional
gang because it was a very clever job. They 2) …………………………………
must have known
(know) exactly what they were doing because they didn’t leave even one clue
can’t have been
behind them. It definitely 3) …………………………………… (be) Thomas
Henry and his gang because they are in prison. I thought it 4)
…………………………………
might have been (be) Harry but he was in hospital at the time of
can’t have been
the robbery, so it 5) ………………………… (be) him either. I 6) ……………
am not
might be
(be) sure, but it 7) ………………………… (be) Sly Steve’s gang because they
are the only suspects who don’t have an alibi; they 8) ………………………
might have committed
(commit) the robbery. 9) …………………………
Shall I bring (I/bring) them in for
questioning, sir?”
 C- CORRECT THE M ODAL VERB :

1-There are plenty of tomatoes in the fridge. You can’t buy any. needn’t buy/ don’t
2-It's a hospital. You don’t have to smoke. mustn’t need to / don’t have to

3-Andy slept for about 10 hours yesterday. He could be tired after his long flight.
must have been

4-I spoke to Maria so rudely. I can’t have spoken to her like that. She is now upset from
me. shouldn’t have spoken
should have taken
5-You could take your umbrella. It was raining heavily and you caught cold.

6-Drivers should stop when the traffic lights are red. must stop
might/could read
7-The teacher said we have to read this book for our own pleasure as it is optional.
 D-CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER:

1. He (can't be - must be – ought to - should be) French. His French is terrible.

2. The kids are calm today. They (should be - must be - ought to - have to)
tired.
3. Although Leila was very hungry, she didn't eat very much. She (could have
- couldn't have liked - must like - must have liked) the food.
4. The phone is ringing. It (can’t be - has to - must have been - must be) Mary.
She promised she would call.
5. John had a terrible accident. He (has to stop - had to stop - should stop -
didn’t have to stop) when the traffic lights were red.
6-I don't know why she got so many bad grades. She (might be - may be -
might have been - had to be) lazy studying.
7-I didn't know you needed help. You (should have told - should tell - has to
tell - must tell) me.
8-I am so tired. I need some rest. I think I (should take - should have taken -
could have taken - must have taken) a week off.
9-He (could run - can run - should run - ought to) so fast when he was
young.
10-Nancy (must have gone - could go - shouldn’t go - can't have gone) on
holiday. I have just met her in the street.
E- Rewrit e t h e f ollowing sent ences usin g a m od al au xiliary verb .

1. Probably she isn’t John’s sister.

• …………………………………………………………………………
might not be
• 2. Perhaps we will go on a pilgrimage next month.
• …………………………………………………………………………
might
• 3. She was able to read when she was two.
• …………………………………………………………………………
could read
• 4. It is not necessary for you to pay the bill.
You don’t have to / needn’t pay
• …………………………………………………………………………
5-I am certain that they have already left.
• …………………………………………………………………………
must have left
6-It is probable that he will pass his driving test easily.
• …………………………………………………………………………
might / may
7-Perhaps he forgot to bring the book.
• …………………………………………………………………………
might have forgotten
8-Nobody answered the phone; perhaps they have gone out.
• …………………………………………………………………………
might have
9 I am certain that he is over sixty.
• …………………………………………………………………………
must be
F- Complete the sentences with a modal verb from the box below. Sometimes more than one answer is
possible. CAN’T - COULD – MIGHT - MUST - MUSTN’T – NEED – NEEDN’T - SHOULD – WILL
- WOULD

1. You mustn’t touch that dog. It looks dangerous!

2. You need to feed the cat at least twice a day.
3. The bus should/must be here by now. That’s what the schedule says.
4. When I was six, I could play violin but I haven’t practiced since then so I can’t
play anymore.
5. Judith needn’t go to school on Saturdays. She has a five-day week.
6. I would rather stay at home than go out and have dinner in a restaurant.
7. My fingernails need cutting. They’re so long.
8. She must study harder if she wants to pass the exam.
9. I’m tired. I must/should go to bed early tonight.
10.You’ve just had a huge breakfast. You can’t be hungry anymore.
11. Do you need to pay taxes as a resident of a foreign country?
12.You needn’t wear a uniform to the ceremony. It’s not necessary.
13. Passengers mustn’t speak to the driver when he’s on duty.
14. Ask Henry. He might/could know the answer but I’m not sure.
15. When I was younger I could/would climb to the top of the
mountain without being out of breath.
16. I should/would have gone to the doctor, but it got better after
a few days.
17. If you speak to her, she will probably tell you the truth.
18. The company boss must be extremely rich if he owns several
sports cars.
19. I needn’t have got up so early, but it was a sunny day and I
was planning a lot.
20. Jack didn’t need to explain the situation. Everyone know what
was happening.
G- Complete the sentences with a modal verb from the box below. Sometimes more than one answer
is possible. CAN'T - CAN'T HAVE – COULD - DON'T NEED TO - MIGHT - MIGHT NOT - MUST
- MUST HAVE – MUSTN'T – SHOULD - SHOULDN'T

1. That pizza was gigantic. I'm sure Mary can't have eaten it all.
2. Nobody was able to tell the police who that man was, so he can't
be someone from here.
3. Be careful when you walk across that old wooden bridge. It
might not be very safe.
4. I see you haven't finished your homework yet. It must be very
difficult, then.
5. You mustn't/shouldn't touch the oven. It's very hot and you
might hurt yourself.
6. They are putting the suspect into the police car. The police must
have arrested him.
7. I don't know where he is. Take a look in the garage. He might be
there.
8. You shouldn't do any more training today. You look so tried. Take
a break!
9. I can't see very well but that must be Claire over there. At least,
she looks like Claire.
10. Everyone scored over 95% in the first test, so it can't have been
so difficult.
11. You don't need to drive me to the airport. I can take the bus.
12. You should always wear suitable clothes when you go skiing.
13. Pupils must not go out between the various parts of the
exam. It's against the school rules.
14. Danny could swim when he was four. Now he's part of the
town's swimming team.
15. You don't need to buy any food. The fridge is full.
16. John must have taken a wrong turn somewhere.
Otherwise, he'd be here by now.
17. There are signs all over the area, so you shouldn't/ can’t
have any trouble getting there.
18. This can't be the house they advertised in the newspaper.
It's much too big.
19. Mike can't have left the house. His cell phone is still here,
and he never leaves without it.
20. Leaving the house today without an umbrella might not be
such a good idea. It looks like it's going to rain in the afternoon.
 H- CORRECT THE SENTENCES
must have been
1. It shouldn’t be Yuko’s birthday yesterday. There were cards and presents on her desk.

2. Can you swim when you were younger? could

3. That must be her car over there. It’s not even the same colour. can’t be

4. They said on TV it can rain tomorrow. will/ might

5. You can’t have smoked in grandma’s room. It caused her to breathe heavily. shouldn’t

6. Might you speak English, please? could

7. I can’t have chosen these subjects. They are too difficult to understand.
shouldn’t
 I- UNDERLINE THE CORRECT F ORM :

1. That (may – must – could have) be John’s calculator but I am not sure.
2. She (should be – may have been – must have been) Italian because of the perfect accent she
has.
3. There’s still no answer so they (have to – must be – can’t be) out for evening dinner.
4. The information (could be – might have been – can’t have been) right. But still I had to
check on the internet.
5. He has been working on the book 14 hours a day for a month. He (could be – must be –
might have been) exhausted.
6. He (can be – must be – can’t be) from Australia. He doesn’t speak German.
7. This (might be – can’t have been – must be) the right answer. I am sure.
8. His watch (must have cost – might have cost – could have cost) him a fortune. It’s made of
gold.
 J - F I N D TH E M I S TA K E S I N E A C H O F TH E F O L L O WI N G S E N TE N C E S TH E N
WR I TE TH E M C O R R E C TLY:

1. I needn't buy this furniture yesterday. It was really unnecessary. needn’t have bought

2. He could take a taxi, but he preferred to walk home yesterday could have taken

3. You have to do your homework today. You can do it tomorrow. don’t have to

4. You must leave now. You may finish this work first. can’t

5. She must take a taxi yesterday as it was raining heavily. must have taken

6. I might wash my hands before eating. It's very important. must

7. I wonder if you must do the shopping for me. can

managed
8. It was snowing heavily. The roads were slippery. At last we encouraged to reach home.
K- Complete the sentences with a modal verb from the box below. Sometimes more than one answer is
possible. CAN - CAN'T – CAN'T HAVE - COULD – COULD HAVE - DON'T HAVE – HAD BETTER
– MIGHT - MUST – MUST HAVE - MUSTN'T – NEED - OUGHT – SHOULDN'T

1. You must be exhausted after your long trip. Come in and have a drink.

2. John can't have taken your car keys. He hasn't even left the house.

3. I won't go out this afternoon because the weather forecast is not very good,

and I could get wet.

4. You don't have to apply for the job yet. You can do it later this week.

5. I must have left my wallet in the car. I can't find it anywhere.

6. That can't be Jake. It's impossible. He said he was going to Spain.

7. You mustn't/can't step into the headmaster's office without permission.

8. Tell your sister she can stay the night here if she wants to.

9. You have already drunken a glass of wine. You had better not drive. Let

me.

10. You must see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre when you go to Paris.
11. I don't have to take orders from you. You're not my boss!
12. When I was younger, I could run very fast.
13. Your cold is getting worse, and you have a runny nose. You
ought to see the doctor.
14. My husband is preparing dinner. He's not a good cook so you
shouldn't expect anything special.
15. Don't leave your window open at night. Someone might/
could climb in.
16. Brenda can't be over thirty. She graduated a year after me and
I'm only 26.
17. You don't have to come with me. I can manage on my own.
18. She must have got lost. Otherwise, she'd be here by now.
19. You must be more careful. You could have been killed crossing
the street without looking.
20. I didn't need to buy more groceries. We already had enough.