Download Modal verbs

Modal verbs
Modal verbs
Test it ✔
Test it again ✔
1 Find the incorrect sentences.
1 Choose the best option.
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
I think you should work harder.
Do you can speak Japanese?
Mary thinks it may rain later.
The twins must tidy their bedroom.
Sally musts go to the dentist soon.
I’m sorry but we must to go now.
That can’t be the postman. It’s much too early.
The dog didn’t should steal food from the fridge.
We maying go to France in September.
Could you lend me your dictionary?
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
2 Use a suitable modal to complete the sentences. Use some modals more than
once. Sometimes there is more than one correct answer.
can
a
can’t
could
must
mustn’t
may
might
b It’s a bad idea for you to go.
You
c
It
It’s possible it’ll rain tomorrow.
d Do you have the ability to swim?
Do not park here.
f
Is it OK if I use your phone?
a
I want a glass of water.
you pass me the salt,
please?
e
2 Write new sentences with similar meanings, using modals. More than one
answer may be possible.
shouldn’t
I want the salt, please.
Jeff may not/can’t/might not ride a bicycle. He never learnt to do it.
I’m sure you can’t/couldn’t/must be tired. You were awake all night.
It might/can/must be a nice weekend. If it is, we’ll go to the beach.
May/Should/Could you close the window? I’m cold.
Mobile phones can/must/might be switched off during the flight.
You really should/could/might stop smoking.
That can/should/can’t be a spider. It’s only got six legs.
Tom isn’t here. He can/may/shouldn’t be at home.
You shouldn’t/couldn’t/mustn’t forget your passport this time!
Drivers can/may/should go more slowly. There are too many accidents.
b Lock the door, please.
go.
rain tomorrow.
c
Do you want me to help you?
you swim?
You
park here.
d No smoking in the library.
I use your phone?
g That isn’t a bird. It’s impossible!
That
h It’s important that you stop smoking.
You
i
It’s possible I’ll ask you to help me.
I
j
Fred is unable to sing.
Fred
be a bird!
e
It’s possible that you’re right.
stop smoking.
ask you to help me.
3 Find and correct five mistakes in the dialogue.
sing.
Jo:
Nick:
Jo:
Nick:
Jo:
Nick:
Bill musts be here soon. He left hours ago!
I think you should call him on the mobile. He must to have it with him.
I can’t. My battery is flat. Must I borrow yours?
Yes, sure. Here you are.
No answer. Now what do I should do?
You should stop worrying. I’m sure he won’t be long. He mays arrive
any moment.
20
GO to page 64
62
20
and check your answers.
TEST IT FIX IT ENGLISH VERBS AND TENSES INTERMEDIATE
© Oxford University Press www.oup.com/elt
TEST IT FIX IT ENGLISH VERBS AND TENSES INTERMEDIATE
© Oxford University Press www.oup.com/elt
63
TEST IT FIX IT ENGLISH VERBS AND TENSES INTERMEDIATE
© Oxford University Press www.oup.com/elt
TEST IT FIX IT ENGLISH VERBS AND TENSES INTERMEDIATE
© Oxford University Press www.oup.com/elt
Fix it
Modal verbs
Fix it notes
Answers to Test it
Check your answers. Wrong answer?
Read the right Fix it note to find out why.
1 a correct
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
Do you can
correct
correct
musts
must to go
correct
didn’t should
maying
correct
Can you
must
must go
shouldn’t
may
2 a Can/Could
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
shouldn’t
may/might
Can
mustn’t
Can/Could/May
can’t
must
may/might/could
can’t
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F
D
G
I
A
B
H
D
C
E
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E
F
G
E
I
E
H
I
G
E
Now go to page 63. Test yourself again.
Answers to Test it again
1 a can’t
b
c
d
e
must
might
Could
must
f
g
h
i
j
should
can’t
may
mustn’t
should
2 a Can/Could/May I have a glass of
b
c
d
e
water?
Can/Could you lock the door?
Can I help you?
You mustn’t smoke in the library.
You may/might/could be right.
3 musts
must to have
Must I?
do I should do
mays
64
must
must have
Can/Could/May I?
should I do
may
A
Never put s on the third person
singular form of modal verbs.
B
Use the base form of the verb (not the
to infinitive) after modal verbs.
i
Review
Modal verbs
•
You never put s on the third person singular form of modal verbs.
He can do it! NOT He cans do it!
It might rain. NOT It mights rain.
•
You use the base form of the verb, not the to infinitive, after modal verbs.
I must go to the bank. NOT I must to go to the bank.
Jo can’t come tonight. NOT Jo can’t to come tonight.
C
Modal verbs haven’t got infinitives or
participles.
Note that modal verbs haven’t got infinitives or participles. You can’t say ‘to
should’ or ‘maying’ or ‘musted’.
D
Make modal questions and negative
sentences without do.
•
You make modal questions and negative sentences without do.
Can I help you?
NOT Do can I help you?
He shouldn’t say that. NOT He don’t should say that.
E
Use can/can’t to talk about ability. Use
can, could or may to ask for or give
permission. Use can/could you to make
a request.
•
You use can/can’t to talk about ability.
I can swim. He can’t read.
•
You use can, could or may to ask for or give permission. Note that may is more
formal and less common than can or could. You also use can to ask for things.
Can I stay up late tonight?
Could we go out?
May I borrow your car?
Can I have a drink?
•
You use can/could you to make a request.
Can you shut the door?
Could you pass me the salt?
•
You use should/shouldn’t to ask for or give someone advice.
What should I say to Mum?
You should apologize.
You shouldn’t do that.
H
Use must and can’t to make logical
deductions.
•
You use may, might and could to talk about possibilities.
It may rain during the night.
Jack might be at home by now.
The keys could be in the car.
I
Use must and mustn’t to talk about
obligations.
•
You use must and can’t to make logical deductions. Usually the deduction is
based on something you know now.
You must be hungry. I know you haven’t eaten anything.
That can’t be an insect. It’s got too many legs.
•
You use must and mustn’t to talk about obligations.
Passengers must switch off their mobile phones.
You mustn’t park here.
F
Use should/shouldn’t to ask for or give
someone advice.
G
Use may, might and could to talk about
possibilities.
For more information, see the
Review page opposite.
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