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Modal Verbs

Instructions:

You are given a block of text which explains the theory of this concept.

Once you have read the theory, do the exercises given below to test how well you have understood the ideas.

 

How to do the Exercises:

 

You are given a set of words.

You are also given some sentences with input boxes, and you are required to use the words to complete the sentences correctly.

 

You can put your chosen word into the input box by first clicking on the word and then in the input box.

 

The word will appear in the input box.

 

If it is correct, it will go green, and if not, it will go red.

 

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Modal Verbs

Theory:

Most English sentences have two verbs.

I can play tennis

I don't like fish.


The second verb is a normal verb like PLAY and LIKE, but the first verb is a special verb which can either be an AUXILLIARY VERB like DO or DOES. or a MODAL VERB like CAN. Here's a list of some common MODAL VERBS:

can, could, would, may, might ,must, shall, will, should, ought to, have to,


Modal verbs are used for different fuctions IN FCE sentence transformations:

To show ABILITY

I CAN speak French.


To request PERMISSION

CAN I open the window?

May I read your newspaper?

WOULD YOU mind if I read your newspaper?


To express POSSIBILITY

I MAY call.


To express OBLIGATION

I MUST go.

I HAVE TO go.


Notice that usually MUST is an obligation imposed by someone else and HAVE TO is an obligation you impose on yourself.


To express STRONG BELIEF

He MUST be Chinese.


To give ADVICE, of which there are several ways:

You SHOULD call your mother.

You OUGHT TO cal your mother.

Why don't you call your mother.

You HAD BETTER call your mother.

I would call your mother if I were you.


To REQUEST or OFFER

WOULD you like a biscuit?

Shall I get you a cup of tea?

WOULD you like me to get you a cup of tea?


In conditional sentences:

If I were you, I WOULD do my homework.


To express PROHIBITION

It's prohibited to take dogs into the restaurant.

You CANNOT take dogs into the restaurant.


To express NECESSITY

I NEED TO take my medicine.


The situations described in the present can also be described in the past by using modal verbs with the PRESENT PERFECT.


To express CERTAINTY

He CAN'T HAVE GONE.

HE MUST HAVE called


To express POSSIBILITY

HE MAY HAVE

YOU COULD HAVE


For past events that didn't happen

YOU SHOULD HAVE called me.

Read more

TYPICAL FCE SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS USING MODAL VERBS


  • UNABLE
  • SING
  • BEING
  • TO

Sally couldn't sing or dance.

UNABLE

Besides (1) Sally couldn't dance either.


  • DIFFICULT
  • COULD
  • FOR
  • BE

We might not find it easy to book a seat at the last minute.

COULD

It (2) us to book a seat at the last minute.


  • TO
  • YOUR
  • REQUIRED
  • ARE
  • SHOW

You must show your student card as you enter the library.

REQUIRED

You (3) student card as you enter the library.


  • BETTER
  • SOON
  • I
  • HAD
  • LEAVE

I have an interview tomorrow, so I ought to leave soon.

BETTER

I have an interview tomorrow, so (4) .


  • HAVE
  • OUGHT
  • LOCKED
  • TO

It was careless of you to leave without locking the door.

OUGHT

You (5) the door before you left.


  • OUGHT
  • ASKED
  • TO
  • HAVE

It was wrong of you to borrow my jacket without asking.

OUGHT

You (6) before you borrowed my jacket.


  • ARE
  • REPLY
  • TO
  • WE
  • SUPPOSED

It says here that we should we reply to this invitation.

SUPPOSED

It says here that (7) to this invitation.


  • THAT
  • TIME
  • WERE
  • TAXES
  • IS

I think taxes should be increased.

TIME

It (8) increased.


  • YOU
  • SOONER
  • CAME

It will be better for you to come alone.

SOONER

I would (9) on your own.


  • WAS
  • FOR
  • IT
  • NECESSARY

Sam knew that his sister had to leave by 5 o'clock.

NECESSARY

Sam knew that (10) his sister to leave by 5 o'clock.


  • HAVE
  • I
  • MY
  • LEFT
  • MUST

I haven't got my wallet. It must be at home.

LEFT

(11) wallet at home.


  • HAVE
  • MIGHT
  • FORGOTTEN
  • FORGOT

Maybe Paul forgot that we changed the time of the meeting.

MIGHT

Paul (12) that we changed the time of the meeting.