Download English assignment

Norton University
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs
1. Introduction:
The modal verbs or modal auxiliary verbs generally express a speaker’s attitude, or mood.
They express ideas such as willingness and ability, permission and refusal, obligation and
prohibition, suggestion, necessity, promise and intention. All modal verbs can express
degrees of certainty, probability, or possibility. Each modal verb has more than one
meaning or use.
The modal auxiliary verbs in English are: can, could, had better, may,might, must, ought
to, shall, should, will, would, need.(need is not a modal verb, but used as a modal verb).
Modal verbs have several characteristics in common.
 There is no –s in the third person. Except “Need”
Examples: He can swim.
She needs to buy some flower.
She must go
 There is no do/does in the question.
Examples: May I ask you a question, please?
Shall we go?
 There is no don’t/doesn’t in the negative.
Exampes: You shouldn’t tell lies
You won’t believe this
 They are followed by an infinitive without to . The exception is ought to.
Examples: It might rain
They must do it
We ought to be on our way
Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses.
Examples: She musted study very hard. Not Correct
He will can go with us. Not Correct
Note:We have included some expressions which are not modal verbs including have to,
and have got to. These expressions are closely related to modals in meaning and are often
interchanged with them.The verbused tocan also be used like a modal verb.
2. Forms:
To make a positive sentence: Subject + modal verb + present verb/v1 + object.
Example: I/you/we/they/he/she/it could do it.
To make a negative sentence: Subject + modal verb + not + present verb/v1+ object.
Example: I/you/we/they/he/she/it must not be lazy.
Page 1
Norton University
Modal Verbs
The exception is “ought to”, to make negative: Subject + ought not to/oughtn’t to +
present verb/v1+ object.
Example: I/you/we/they/he/she/it ought not to/oughtn’t to have driven so fast
To make a question sentence: Modal verb + subject + present verb/v1+ object.
Example: May I/we ask you questions, please?
The exception is “ought to”, to make a question sentence: Ought + Subject + to +
present verb/v1+ object.
Example: Ought I/we to write to thank you? Not ‘Ought to I /we write to thank you?’
3. Uses:
3.1. Can used to express ability. The past is express by Could
Examples: I can speak three languages.
I could swim when I was three.
Note: Be able to can be used as a modal verb
Examples: I’ve never been able to understand her.
I love being able to drive.
You’ll be able to walk again soon.
To express a fulfilled ability on one particular occasion in the past, could is not used.
Instead, was able to or manage to.
Examples: She was able to survive by clinging onto the wrecked boat.
The prisoner managed to escape by climbing onto the roof.
Could +the perfect infinitivesis used to express an unrealized past ability. Someone
was able to do something in the past, but didn’t try to.
Examples: I could have gone to university, but I didn’t want.
I could have told you that Dara wouldn’t come, He hates parties.
Couldcan be used to criticize people for not doing things. We feel that they are not
doing their duty.
Examples: You could tell me if you’re going to be late.
You couldhave done something to help me instead of sitting here.
Could has a similar meaning to might.
Examples: You could be right. I am not sure.
The film could be worth seeing. It had a good review.
Couldn’t is not used toexpress a future possibility. The negative of could in this use is
might not.
Examples: You might not be right.
The film might not be any good.
Page 2
Norton University
Modal Verbs
Couldn’thas a similar meaning to can’t, only slightly weaker.
Example: She couldn’t havea ten-year-old daughter! She’s only 21 herself.
Can and Could are used to ask for or give permission
Examples: Can/Could I go home? I don’t feel well.
Can/Could I borrow your car tonight?
You can use a dictionary in this exam.
You can’t stay up till midnight. You’re only five.
You can’t smoke in here. It’s forbidden.
To talk about permission generally, or permission in the past, we use can, could, or be
allowed to.
Examples: children can/are allowed to do what they want these days.
I couldn’t/wasn’t allowed to go out on my own until I was sixteen.
3.2. May and Might
May expresses the possibility that an event will happen or is happening.
Examples: We may go to Greece this year. We haven’t decided yet.
Where’s Ann? She may be having a bath, I don’t know.
May used to ask for permission.
Examples: May I ask you a question?
May I use your phone?
May I sit here?
Might is more tentative and slightly less certain than may.
Examples: It might rain. Take your umbrella.
Where’s Peter? He might be upstairs. There a light on.
 Note:
May and Might do not have common negative contractions (equivalents to shan't, won't, can't,
couldn't etc.), although mightn't can occur in asking questions. ("Mightn't I come in if I took
my muddy boots off?" as a reply to "Don't come in here! You'll get the floor dirty!")
When used in the perfect aspect, "may have" is used to indicate a lack of knowledge about
events in the past, and "might have" is used for possibilities that did not occur but could have
in other circumstances.
Examples: She may have eaten cake (is used to indicate a lack of knowledge about
events in the past)
She might have eaten cakeif it wasn't a lie (used for possibilities).
May is also used to express irrelevance in spite of certain or likely truth: "He may be taller than
I am, but he is certainly not stronger" may mean roughly, "While it is true that he is taller than I
am, that does not make a difference, as he is certainly not stronger." (However, it may also
Page 3
Norton University
Modal Verbs
mean, "I am not sure whether he is taller than I am, but I am sure that he is not stronger.") This
is the meaning in the phrase "Be that as it may." Mightcan be used in this sense as well.
May or mightcan be used in the first person to express that future actions are being considered.
"I may/might go to the mall later" means that the speaker is thinking about going to the mall; as
such it means the same thing as maybe will.
3.3. Will and would
Will and won’tare used to predict a future action. The truth or certainty of what is
asserted in more or less taken for granted.
Examples: I’ll see you later .
His latest bookwill beout next month.
Will and won’t are also used to express what we believe or guess to be true about the
present. They indicate an assumption based on our knowledge of people and thing,
their routines, character, and qualities.
Examples: you’ve got a letter from Canada. It’ll be from my aunt Freda.
Leave the meat in the oven. It won’t be cooked yet.
‘I wonder what Sarah’s doing’ ‘well, it’s Monday morning, so I guess that
right now she’ll be taking the children to school.
Will is also used as offers and requests.
Examples: I’ll take you to the airport.
(Offer)
I’ll post that letter for you.
(Offer)
Will you buy me an ice cream, Mum?
(Request)
Will you (please) pass the salt?
(Request)
Wouldcan be used in some forms that are viewed as more formal or polite.
For example: I would like a glass of water
Wouldcan be used for polite request.
For examples: Would you get me a glass of water?
Would you mind waiting a moment?
Would you pass the salt please?
Wouldcan be used as polite requests with would you mind to ask for permission.
For examples: Would you mind if I closed the window?
Would you mind if I used the phone?
Would you mindused to ask someone to do something as a polite request.
For examples: Would you mindclosing the window?
Excuse me? Would you mindrepeating that?
Would you mind mailing this letter for me?
Page 4
Norton University
Modal Verbs
Would can be used to shift the time of perspective of a future event from the present to
the past
For examples: In 1982 I knew that in 1986 I would graduate from college.

Note:
The meaning of the negated "would" form depends on the particular usage of "would".
In its conditional usage, the main verb is negated: "I would not go even if I could"
means "I would not-go..." = "I would refrain from going...." However, in the future-ofthe-past form, "In 1982 I knew that I would not graduate in 1986" means "...I notwould graduate..." = "...It is not that I would graduate...." Likewise, in the past habitual
form, "Back then I would not eat early" does not mean "...I would not-eat early" = "...I
would fast early" but rather means "...I not-would eat early" = "...it is not that I would
eat early...." In the latter two examples either the modal or the entire verb phrase is
being negated.
It is also used to make past predictions or a prediction about a possible situation.
Past: Sarah worked all night. She would be tired the next day.
Possible:
Shall we go to Keri Keri for Easter? That would be nice.
 Would used to express a repeated action in the past.
Would can be used to express an action that was repeated regularly in the past. When
would is used to express this idea, it has the same meaning as used to (habitual past).
For examples: when I was a child, my father would read me a story at night before
bed.
When I was a child, my father used to read me a story me a story at
night before bed.
These two examples above have the same meaning.
 Note: used toused to express a situation that existed in the past, would may not be used as
an alternative. Would is used only for regularly repeated actions in the past.
 Expressing preference: Would rather
Page 5
Norton University
Modal Verbs
(a) I would rather go to a movie tonight than
study grammar.
(b) I’d rather study history than (study) biology.
Would rather expressespreference.
In (a): notice that the simple form of a verb
follows both would rather and than
In (b): if the verb is the same, it does not have
to be repeated after than.
How much do you weigh?
(c) I’d rather not tell you.
Contraction: I would =I’d
Negative form:would rather + not
(d) The movie was okay, but I would rather have
gone to the concert last night.
The past form:would rather have + past
participle. Usual pronunciation: “I’d rather
of”
Progressive form: would rather + be+ -ing.
(e) I’d rather be lying on a beach in Florida than
(be) sitting in class right now.
3.4. Must
Must expresses strong obligation. Other verb forms are provided by have to
For examples: You must try harder!
You mustn’t hit your baby brother.
What time do youhave to start work?
I had to work hard to pass my exams.
You’ll have to do this exercise again.
We might have to make some economies.
I hate having to get up early.
Must expresses the opinion of the speaker.
For examples:
I must get my hair cut. (I am telling my self)
You must do this again. (teacher to student)
Must is associated with a more forma, written style.
For examples:
Candidates must answer three questions. (On an exam paper)
Books must be returned by the end of the week. (Instructions in a
library)
Must is also used to assert what we infer or conclude to be the most logical or rational
interpretation of a situation. We do not have all the facts, so it less certain than will.
For examples: You say he walked across the Sahara desert! He must be mad!
You must be joking! I simply don’t believe you.
Have to expresses a general obligation based a law or rule, or based on the authority of
another person.
For examples:
Children have to go to school until they’re sixteen. (It’s the law)
Mum says you have to tidy your room.
Page 6
Norton University
Modal Verbs
Mustn’texpresses negative obligation. Don’t have to expresses the absence of
obligation.
For examples:
You mustn’t steal. It’s very naughty.
You don’t have to go to England if you want to learn English.
Have got to is common in British English. It is more informal than have to.
For examples: I’ve got to go now.
Don’t have a late night. We’ve got to get up early tomorrow.
Must, have to and have got to used to express necessity.
(a) All applicants must take an entrance
exam.
(b) All applicants have to take an entrance
exam.
(c) I’m looking for Sue, I have to talk to her
about our lunch date tomorrow. I can’t
meet her for lunch because I have to go
to a business meeting at: 1:00
(d) Where’s Sue? I must talk to her right
away. I have an urgent message for her.
(e) I have to (“hafta”) be home by eight.
(f) He has to (“hasa”)go to a meeting
tonight.
Must and have toboth express necessity.
In (a) and (b): it is necessary for every applicant
to take an entrance exam. There is no other
choice. The exam is required.
In every statements of necessity, have to is used
more commonly than must. Must is usually
stronger than have to and can indicate urgency
or stress important. In( c ): the speaking is
simply saying, “I need to do this and I need to do
that .
In (d) the speaker is strongly saying this very
important.
Note: have to is usually pronounce “hafta” and
has to usually pronounced “hasta”
(g) I have got to go now. I have a class in
ten minutes.
(h) I have to go now. I have a class in ten
minutes
Have got to also expresses the idea of necessity:
(g) and (h) have the same meaning. Have got to
is informal and is used primarily in spoken
English. Have tois used in both formal and in
formal English.
(i) I have got to go (“I’ve gotta go/I gotta
go) now.
Usual pronunciation of got to is “gotta”
Sometimes have is dropped in speech: I gotta do
it.
(j) Present or future
I have to/have got to/must study tonight.
(k) Past: I had to study last night.
The idea of past necessity is expressed by had
to. There is no other past form for must (when it
means necessity) or have got to.
Have to and must in the negative:
Lack of necessity and prohibition
Page 7
Norton University
Modal Verbs
Lack of necessity
(a) Tomorrow is a holiday. We don’t have
to go to class.
(b) I can hear you. You don’t have to shout.
Prohibition
(c) You must not look in the closet. Your
birthday present is hidden there.
(d) You must not tell anyone my secret. Do
you promise?
When used in negative, must and have to have
different meanings.
Do not have to =lack of necessity.
In (a): it is not necessary for us to go to class
tomorrow because there is a holiday.
Must not=prohibition (do not do this!). In (c): do
not look in the closet. I forbid it. Looking in the
closet is prohibited.
Negative contraction: mustn’t. (the first “t” is not
pronounced: “muss-∂nt.”)
 Note: lack of necessity may also be expressed by need not + the simple form of a verb:
You needn’t shout. The use of needn’t as an auxiliary is chiefly British other than when it is
used in certain common expression such as “you needn’t worry.”
3.5. Shall and Should
Shall used with I and we for talking about or predicting the future .
For examples: This time next week I shall be in Scotland.
I shall arrive at nine.
The negative of shall is shall not or shan’t.
For example: I shan’t be late.
Shall usedin questions with I and we for making offers or suggestions or asking
advice:
For examples: Shall I send you the book?
Shall I open the window?
What shall we do this weekend?
Shallused to show that you are determined, or to give an order or instruction.
He is determined that you shall succeed.
Candidates shall remain in their seats until all the papers have been collected.
Shall is used in many of the same senses as will, though not all dialects use shall. In
prescriptive English usage, shall in the first person, singular or plural, indicates mere
futurity, but in other persons shows an order, command or prophecy:
"Cinderella, you shall go to the ball!" Likewise, will generally indicates futurity
in the second and third persons but willingness/determination in the first person.
Shall is also used in legal and engineering language to write firm laws and
specifications as in these examples:
Page 8
Norton University
Modal Verbs
Those convicted of violating this law shall be imprisoned for a term of not less
than three years nor more than seven years.
The electronics assembly shall be able to operate within its specifications over a
temperature range of 0 degrees Celsius to 70 degrees Celsius.
In both cases, in accordance with prescriptive usage, shallis used in the third person to
express determination on the part of the speaker.
Shall in the second and third persons
Shall can express (A) the subject’s intention to perform a certain action or to
cause it to be performed, and (B) a command. Both these uses are old-fashioned and
normal and normally avoided in modern spoken English.
Examples of shall used to express the speaker’s intention:
(A)
For examples: You shall have a sweet =I’ll give you a sweet or I’ll see that you get a
sweet.
He shan’t come here =I won’t let him come here.
They shall not pass = we won’t let him pass.
(B)
Examples of shall used to express a command:
For examples: Yachts shall go round the course, passing the marks in the correct
order. (Yachts racing-rules)
Member shall enter the names of their guests in the book provided. (Club rules)
This construction is chiefly used in regulations or legal documents. In less
formal English must and are to would be used instead of shall.
The use of must:
It is possible to use you will for spoken commands:
Ex. You will not mention this meeting to anyone.
But it is more usual and more polite to use must:
Ex. You must not mention this meeting to anyone.
The use of are to:
Exs. You are to report for duty immediately.
The switchboard is to be managed at all times.
Should expresses what may reasonable be expected to happen.
Expectation means believing that things are or will be as we want them to be. This use
of should has the idea of if everything has gone according to plan.
For examples: Our guests should be here soon. (If they haven’t got lost ).
This homework shouldn't takeyou too long. (If you’ve understood what
you have to do.)
Page 9
Norton University
Modal Verbs
Should in this use has the idea that we want the action to happen. It is not used to
express negative or unpleasant ideas.
Exs:
You shouldpass the exam. You’ve worked hard.
You should fail the exam. You haven’t done any work at all.
3.6. Ought to
Ought to can be used for present and future and for the past when preceded by a verb
in the past tense or followed by a perfect infinitive:
Exs:
I ought to write to him today/tomorrow.
I knew I ought to write to him.
She said I ought to write.
I know/knew that I ought to have written.
In conversation should/ought to can often be used alone, the infinitive being understood
but not mentioned:
Ex:
You should paint/ought to paint your door. Yes, I know I should/I know i ought
to.
Should and ought to can express advice:
Ex:
You should/ought to read this. It’s very good.
Should/ought to with the continuous infinitive
Should/ought to with the continuous infinitive expresses the idea that the subject is not
fulfilling his obligations or that he is acting foolishly, rashly etc. or not acting sensibly,
prudently etc:
Exs:
He ought to be studying for his exam.
He shouldn’t be spending all his time on the beach.
We should be wearing seat belts. (But we are not wearing them.)
I shouldn’t be telling you this. It’s supposed to be a secret.
That….should after certain verbs
Certain verbs can be followed by that +subject + should as an alternative to a gerund
or infinitive construction.
That….should is particularly useful in the passive and sometimes is the only possible
passive form.
That….should is more formal than a gerund or infinitive construction and usually
implies less direct contact between the advisers /organizers etc. and the people who are
to carry out the action.
Verbs which can be used with that….should include the following:
Advise, agree, arrange, ask, beg, command, decide, demand, determine, insist, order,
propose, recommend, request, stipulate, suggest, urge.
Page 10
Norton University
Modal Verbs
Note also: be anxious, be determine.
Examples:
She advised that we should keep the gate locked.
She advised that the gate should be kept locked.
She advised keeping the gate locked/advised us to keep it locked.
Recommend could be used above instead of advise and would sound more formal.
They agreed/decided that the roof should be repaired.
They agreed/decided to repair the roof.
He arranged that I should go abroad.
He arranged for me to go abroad.
They arranged that the minister should be met at the airport.
They arranged for the minister to be met at the airport.
Be anxious takes the same construction as arrange:
He is anxious that classes should start/should be started at once.
He is anxious for classes to stat/to be started at once.
They asked/begged/urged that relief work should be given priority.
They asked/begged/urged the authorities to give relief work priority.
He commanded that the army should advance. (He was not necessarily with the
army.)
He commanded the army to advance. (He probably was with the army.)
She determined/was determined that he should study music.
She determined/was determined to let him/make him study music.
She insisted that he should study music/insisted on his studying music.
He ordered that Ann should go. (He probably told someone else to tell her.)
He ordered Ann to go. (He probably told her himself.)
He ordered that the goods should be sent by air.
He ordered the goods to be sent by air.
He proposed/suggested that we should try homeopathic remedies.
He proposed/suggested that homeopathic remedies should be tried.
He proposed/suggested (our) trying homeopathic remedies.
They stipulated that the best materials should be used.
They stipulated for the best materials to be used.
It is/was + adjective + that….should
A. That…should can be used after it is/was advisable, better, desirable, essential,
imperative, important, natural, necessary, after fair (=just), just, right, (these are
Page 11
Norton University
Modal Verbs
often preceded by only) and after reasonable, as an alternative to a for + infinitive
construction:
Exs:
It is advisable that everyone should have a map.
It is better for him to hear it from you.
It is better that he should hear it from you.
It is essential for him to be prepared for this.
It is essential that he should be prepared for this.
It is only right that she should have a share.
Shouldis sometimes omitted before be:
It is essential that he be prepared.
B. That….should can be used after it is/was absurd, amazing, ludicrous, odd,
ridiculous, strange, surprising, and similar adjectives as an alternative to that +
present/past tense:
Ex:
It is ridiculous that we should be (=that we are) short of water in a country
where it is always raining.
The perfect infinitive is sometimes used when referring to past tense:
Ex:
It is amazing that she should have said (=that she said) nothing about the
murder.
Other uses of should
A. After can’t think why/don’t know why/see no reason why etc. when the speaker
queries the reasonableness or justice of an assumption:
Exs:
I don’t know why you should think that I did it.
I see no reason why you should interfere in their quarrel.
The perfect infinitive is usual when the assumption was in the past:
I can’t think why he should have said it was my fault.
B. Idiomatically with what, where, who, in dramatic expressions of surprise:
Ex:
What should I find but an enormous spider!
Quite often the surprise is embarrassing:
Ex:
Who should come in but his first wife!
C. After lest and sometimes after in case:
1. In literary English lest….should is sometimes placed after expressions of fear or
anxiety:
Ex:
He was terrified lest he should slip on the icy rocks.
Should + perfect infinitive is used when the anxiety concerns a previous action:
Ex:
She began to be worried lest he should have met with some accident.
Page 12
Norton University
Modal Verbs
2. Lest can also be used in purpose clauses to mean ‘for fear that’:
Ex:
He dared not spend the money lest someone should ask where he had got it.
In case, which is more usual than lesthere, can be followed by should or by an
ordinary present or past tense:
In case someone should ask/someone asked
D. Should is sometimes used in purpose clauses as an alternative to would/could:
Ex:
He wore a mask so that no one should recognize him.
E. In conditional sentences instead of the present tense:
Ex:
If the pain should return take another of these pills.
F. In indirect, rather formal, commands when the recipient of the command is not
necessarily addressed directly:
Ex:
He ordered that Tom should leave the house.
3.7. Had better
Had better used to give advice, to say what is the best thing to do:
Exs:
There’ll be a lot of traffic tomorrow. We had (or We’d) better leave early.
I had (or I’d) better ask the doctor about the pain in my stomach.
Note that had is a past form, but it does not refer to past time here, we use it to talk about
present or future time.
We only use had better to give advice about a particular thing, when we give general advice,
we use should or ought to:
Ex:
When people are in trouble, they should go to the police. (Not…….they had better go to
the police.)
The negative of had better is had better not
Ex:
They had better not be late.
Should,Ought toand Had better with the perfect infinitive.
This construction is used to express an unfulfilled obligation or a sensible action that was
neglected. In the negative it expresses a wrong or foolish action in the past.
Exs:
You ought to have told him that the paint on that seat was wet. (You did not tell him, he
sat on it)
They ought to have stopped at the traffic lights. (They didn’t stop)
The emergency exit doors shouldn’t have been blocked. (It’s blocked)
I should have studied last night. (I had a test this morning; I didn’t do well on the test
because I didn’t study for it last night. ‘I should have studied’ means that studying was
a good idea, but I didn’t do it. I made a mistake.)
Page 13
Norton University
Modal Verbs
We had better not have gone to the movie. (We went to the movie, but it was a bad
movie. We wasted our time and money.)
I should not/ought not to/had better not have carried that heavy box up two flights of
stairs.(I hurt my back. I carried the box and now I am sorry.)
Note: usual pronunciation of should have: “should-of” or “shoulda.” And usual pronunciation
of should not have: “shouldn’t-of” or “shouldn’t’a.”
The past form of ought tois ought to have + past participle. (I ought to have studied.) It
has the same meaning as the past form of should. In the past, should is used more
commonly than ought to. Had better is only rarely used in a past form or with the
perfect infinitive (Ex: He had better have taken care of it) and usually only in speaking,
not writing.
3.8. Need, needn’t, needn’t have
Need used to express necessity and needn’t, needn’t have express no necessity:
We use the verb need to talk about things that we must do. We use to + infinitive (e.g.
to do, to go) after need:
Ex:
I need to go to the dentist’s.
After he/she/it we use needs:
Ex:
Mary/she needs to buy some white paint.
We make negatives, questions, and short answers with a form of do:
Exs:
You don’t need to go to the doctor’s.
Mary doesn’t need to buy any greenpaint.
Do you need to go to the dentist’s?
Yes, I do/ No, I don’t.
Does Mary need to buy any brushes?
Yes, she does/No, she doesn’t.
We can also use need to talk about things that we must get. Here we use an object after
need:
Exs:
Mary needs some white paint.
I don’t need a new car.
Does Peter need any help?
To talk about what we do not need to do, we can use needn’t. We use an infinitive (e.g.
go, buy) after needn’t. Needn’t has the same meaning as don’t/doesn’t need to:
Exs:
You needn’t go to the shops. We have enough food. (Or you don’t need to go to
the shops.)
Mary needn’t buy any paint. (Or Mary doesn’t need to buy any paint.)
We cannot use needn’t before an object (e.g. your coat), we must use don’t need:
Page 14
Norton University
Ex:
Modal Verbs
You don’t need your coat. It is cold outside. (Not You needn’t your coat.)
We can use needed to for past time:
Exs:
They needed to clean everything before they started to paint.
Notice the meaning of needn’t have done:
We needn’t have lit the fire, because it was a warm evening. (=we lit the fire,
but it was not necessary to light it.)
You needn’t have bought any bread, Jim. There is plenty in the cupboard.
(= You bought some bread, but it was not necessary.)

Page 15
Norton University
Modal Verbs
4. Exercises
Using the verb in parentheses, fill in the blank either with if I + the past tense or with the –ing
form of the verb. In some of the sentences, either response is possible but the meaning is
different.
1. I’m getting tired. I’d like to go home and go to bed. Would you mind (leave) if I left
early?
2. I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you said. Would you mind (repeat) repeating that?
3. A: Are you going to the post office?
B: Yes.
A: Would you mind (mail) …………this letter for me?
B: Not at all.
4. A: Are you coming with us?
B: I know I promised to go with you, but I’m not feeling very good.
Would you mind (stay) ………… home?
A: Of course not.
5. A: I still don’t understand how to work this algebra problem. Would you mind (explain)
………. It again?
B: Not at all. I’d be happy to.
6. A: It’s getting hot in here; would you mind (open) ………..the window?
B: No
7. A: This is probably none of my business; but would you mind (ask) …………..you a
personal question?
B: It depends.
8. A: Would you mind (smoke) ……….. ?
B: I’d really rather you didn’t.
Use must not or do not have to in the following.
1. I’ve already finished all my work, so I don’t have to study tonight. I think I’ll read for a
while.
2. I must not forget to take my key with me.
3. You………...introduce me to Dr. Gray. We’ve already met.
4. A person………become rich and famous in order to live a successful life.
5. In order to be a good salesclerk, you………..be rude to a customer.
6. I……. go to the doctor. I’m feeling much better.
7.
A person…………..get married in order to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Page 16
Norton University
Modal Verbs
8. Johnny! You………..play with sharp knives.
9. We ………..go to the concert if you don’t want to, but it might be good.
10. An entering freshman ………………declare a major immediately. The student may
wait a few semesters before deciding upon a major.
Use either should or must/have to in the following. In some sentences either is possible, but the
meaning is different.
1. A person………….eat in order to live.
2. A person…………eat a balanced diet.
3. If you want to become a doctor, you……….go to medical school for many years.
4. We………..go to Colorado for our vacation.
5. According to my academic advisor, I ………….take another English course.
6. I………..write to my folks tonight, but I think I’ll wait and do it tomorrow.
7. You ………… have a passport if you want to travel abroad.
8. Everyone …………… have certain goals in life.
9. Rice ………….have water in order to grow.
10. I ……………..go to class, but I don’t feel good. I think I’d better stay home.
Use will, should/ought to, or must in the following. In some, more than one of the modals is
possible. Discuss the meanings that the modals convey.
1. Look at all the people standing in line to get into that movie. It must be a good movie.
2. Let’s go to the lecture tonight. It should/ought to OR will be interesting.
3. Look. Jack’s car is in front of his house. He ………..be at home. Let’s stop and visit him.
4. A: Hello. May I speak to Jack?
B: He isn’t here right now.
A: What time do you expect him?
B: He………..be home around nine or so.
5. A: Who do you think is going to win the game tomorrow?
B: Well, our team has better players, so we………..win, but you never know. Anything
can happen in sports.
6. A: It’s very important for you to be there on time.
B: I ……………be there on seven o’clock. I promise!
7. A: What time are you going to arrive?
B: Well, the trip takes about four hours. I think I’ll leave sometime around noon, so I
…………get there around four.
8. A: Here are your tickets, Mr. Anton. Your flight ……………depart from Gate 15 on the
Blue Concourse at 6:27.
B: Thank you. Could you tell me where the Blue Concourse is?
Page 17
Norton University
Modal Verbs
9. A: Susie is yawning are rubbing her eyes.
B: She………….be sleepy. Let’s put her to bed early tonight.
10. A: Martha has been working hard all day. She left for work before dawn this morning.
B: She………….be really tired when she gets home this evening.
Complete the sentences with the verbs in parentheses. Use must, should, or may/might/could.
Use the appropriate progressing forms.
1. Look. Those who are coming in the door are carrying the wet umbrellas. It (rain) must be
raining.
2. A: Why is Margaret in her room?
B: I don’t know. She (do) may be doing her homework.
3. A: Do you smell smoke?
B: I sure do. Something (burn)……………..
4. A: The line’s been busy for over an hour. Who do you suppose Frank is talking to?
B: I don’t know. He (talk) …………….to his parents.Or he (talk)…………to his sister in
Chicago.
5. A: What’s all that noise upstairs? It sounds like a herd of elephants.
B: The children(play)…………some kind of game.
A: That’s what it sounds like to me, too. I’ll go see.
6. A: I need to call Howard. Do you know which hotel he is staying at in Boston?
B: Well, he (stay) …………at the Hilton, but I’m not sure. He (stay)…………….at the
holiday Inn.
7. A: What are you doing?
B: I’m writing a letter to a friend, but I (study)…………… I have a test tomorrow.
8. A: Did you know that Andy just quit school and stated to hitchhike to Alaska?
B: What? You (Kid)…………………...
9. A: Did Ed mean what she said about Andy yesterday?
B: I don’t know. He (kid)…………….when he said that, but who knows?
10. A: Did Ed really mean what he said yesterday?
B: No, I don’t think so. I think he (kid)………………….
Use would whenever possible in the following sentence. Otherwise, use used to.
1. I (be) used to be very shy. Whenever a stranger came to our house, I (hide) would hide in
a closet.
2. I remember my aunt Susan very well. Every time she came to our house, she
(give)…………me a big kiss and pinch my cheek.
3. Illiteracy is still a problem in my country, but it (be)……………much worse.
Page 18
Norton University
Modal Verbs
4. I (be)…………………afraid of flying. My heart (start)…………….. pounding every time
I stepped on a plane.
5. I (be)……………..an anthropology major. Once I was a member of an archaeological
expedition. Every morning, we (get)……………………up before dawn. After breakfast,
we (spend)………………our entire day in the field. Sometimes one of us (find)………..a
particularly interesting item, perhaps an arrowhead or a piece of pottery. When that
happened, other members of the group (gather)…………….around to see what had been
unearthed.
6. I got a new bicycle when I was ten. My friends (ask)……………….to ride it, but for
years I (let, never)…………………….anyone else use it.
7. When my grandfather was a boy and had a cold, his mother (make)……………….him go
to bed. Than she (put)……………………goose fat on his chest.
8. When I was a child, I (take)……………………..a flashlight to bed with me so that I
could read comic books without my parents’ knowing about it.
9. Last summer, my sister and I took a camping trip in the Rocky Mountains. It was a
wonderful experience. Every morning, we (wake)………………………up to the sound of
singing birds. During the day, we (hike)……………………….through woods and along
mountain streams. Often we (see)………………….deer. On one occasion we saw a bear
and quickly ran in the opposite direction.
10. I can remember Mrs. Sawyer’s fifth grate class well. When we arrive each morning, she
(sit)…………………….at her desk. She (smile, always)…………………and
(say)………………hello to each student as he or she entered. When the bell rang, she
(stand)………………up and (clear) ……………………..her throat. That was our signal
to be quiet. Class was about to begin.
Use a modal or similar expression with each verb in parentheses. More than one auxiliary may
be possible. Use the one that seems most appropriate to you.
1. It looks like rain. We (shut)………………the window.
2. Ann, (hand, you) …………….me that dish? Thanks.
3. I returned a book to the library yesterday. It was two weeks overdue, so I
(pay)………….a fine of $ 1.40. I (return)……………..the book when I was due.
4. Spring break starts on the thirteenth. We (go, not)………………to classes again until
the twenty-second.
5. (Make, I)…………….an appointment to see Dean Witherspoon?
6. Neither of us knows the way to their house. We (take)……………a map with us or we’ll
probably get lost.
7. You (tell, not)……………..Jack about the party. It’s a surprise birthday party for him.
Page 19
Norton University
Modal Verbs
8. The baby is only a year old, but she (say, already)……………a few words.
9. Excuse me. I didn’t understand. (repeat, you)……………….what you said?
10. In the United States, elementary education is compulsory. All children (attend)
………………..six years of elementary school.
11. When I was a younger, I (run) ………………ten miles without stopping. But now I (run,
not)………………..more than a mile or two.
12. There was a long line in front of the theater. We ( wait) ……………..almost an hour to
buy our tickets.
13. A: I’d like to go to a warm, sunny place next winter. Anny suggestions?
B: You( go)…………….to Hawaii or Mexico. Or how about Spain?
14. I don’t feel like going to the library study this afternoon. I (go)…………..to the
shopping mail then to the library.
15. A: Mrs. Wilson got a traffic ticket. She didn’t stop at a stop sign.
B: That surprising. Usually she’s a very cautious driver and obeys all the traffic law. She
(see, not)……………..the sign.
16. Microwave ovens make cooking fast and easy. If you have a microwave,
you(cook)…………….this frozen dinner in five minutes.
17. Annie, you (clean)………………..this mess before Dad gets home. He’ll be mad if he
sees all this stuff all over the living room floor.
18. A: This is Steve’s tape recorder, isn’t it?
B: It (be, not) ………………his. He doesn’t have a tape recorder, at least not that I
know-of. It (belong)…………….to Lucy or to Linda. They some time bring that tape
recorders to class.
19. I had a good time when I was a teenager. When my friends and I got together,
we(do)…………… anything and everything that sounded like fun.
20. A: You’re always too tense. It’s not good for you. You (learn)…………… to relax.
B: How?
A: Pay attention to your muscles. When there are tight, take a few long, deep breaths.
Deep breaths (be)……………..very relaxing.
21. Don is putting on a title weight around his middle. He (get)……………..more exercise.
22. I’m sleepy. I (keep, not)………………my eyes open. I (go)……………..to bed before I
fall asleep right here.
23. In my country, a girl and boy (go, not) ………………..out on a date unless they are
accompanied by a chaperone.
24. Jimmy was serious when he said he wanted to be a cowboy when he grew up. We
(laugh, not) ………………….at him. We hurt his feelings.
Page 20
Norton University
Modal Verbs
25. (Cash, you)………………..this check for me?
26. This is none of his business. He ( stick, not)………………his nose into other people’s
business.
27. My wife and ten children are coming to join me here. They (live, not)………………..in
my dormitory room. I (find)……………….an apartment.
28. A: (speak, I)…………….to Peggy?
B: She (come, not)……………to the phone right now. (take,
I)………………….message?
29. A: Where are you going?
B: I (go)………………..to the library. I have to do some research for my term paper.
30. A: How are you planning to get to the airport?
B: By taxi.
A: You (take)………………a shuttle bus instead. It’s cheaper than a taxi. You
(get)…………………..one in front of the hotel. It picks up passengers there on a regular
schedule.
31. A: Why don’t you come to the party last night?
B: I (study)…………………………
A: You (come) ……………………. We had a long time.
32. A: Should I go to the University of Iowa or Iowa state University?
B: This is over for a few days. You ( make, not)…………………….up your mind right
now. There’s no hurry.
33. A: The phone’s ringing again. Let’s not answer it. Just let it ring.
B: No, we (answer)……………….it. It (be)……………important.
34. Jane’s looking at the test paper the teacher just returned. She’s smiling. She
(pass)……………the test.
35. It’s not like Tony to be late. He (be)…………….here an hour ago. I hope nothing bad
happened.
36. A: This is a great open air market. Look at all this wonderful fresh fish. What kind of
fish is this?
B: I’m not sure. It (be)………………..ocean perch. Let’s ask.
37. The teacher called on Sam in class yesterday, but he kept looking out the window and
didn’t respond. He (daydream)…………………..
38. When I arrived home last night, I discovered that I had forgotten my key. My roommate
was asleep, but I (wake)………………him by knocking loudly on the door.
39. A: Did you enjoy the movie last night?
B: it was okay, but I (stay)………………..,…home and (watch)……………………TV.
Page 21
Norton University
Modal Verbs
Page 22