Modal Verbs ‘The modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, must, ought to, will, would, shall, should. ‘They take no -6 in the third person singular and are followed by an infinitive without to except for ought to. He must be at work. He ought to do what you a followed by not in negations. “Could you help me with the dis! ‘expressions can be used with the same meaning as modals, should), have (got) to (= must), be able to (= can), used to il Ability ‘She can dance well. She couldiwas able to dance well when she was young. (repeated action - abilty in the past) She's able to type 120 words per minute. They were able to buy a car after saving for years. (single action in the past) He couldn't/wasn't able to save the patient, Possibility He can't still be at home certain) He could/may be tired. (50% certain; its possible he is tired) He might come later. (40% certain; perhaps he will come later) He could have hit her. (luckily he didn't - past) He may/might have sold his house. (pethaps he sold it - past) itis likely that Ann will offer to help, ‘Ann is likely to offer to help. It was likely that she had missed the bus. (past) She was likely to have missed the bus. (past) (90% Note: to express possibility in questions we use: Is he likely 10 .? Is it likely that he ..? Can he ...? Could he ...? Might he ..? Could he stil be at work? (NOT: may) 46 Obligation | must cut down on fats. (| need to} | say 80) I have to cut down on fats. ('m ‘obliged to; the doctor says so) Thad to cut down or else | would have become overweight. (past) We ought to stay within the speed limit. (It is the right thing to do, but we don't always do it) We ought to have stayed within the speed limit. (it was the right thing to do but we didn't do it) Necessity | must see a doctor soon. (I say so) I had to see a doctor. (I was obliged to; past) He has to wear overalls at work. (necessity from outside the speaker) He had to wear overalls when he was at school. (past) We've got to move house. (informal) They had to move house. (past) The cat needs feeding. OR The cat needs to be fed. (it is necessary) The cat needed feeding. OR The cat needed to be fed. (it was necessary) ‘You ought to behave yourself. (itis, necessary) ‘She doesn't have to/doesn't need to ‘come. {i isn't necessary - absence of necessity) She didn’t have to/didn't need to come. {it wasn't necessary for her to ‘come and we don't know if she did) She needn't have come so early (it wasn't necessary for her to come but she did) .sked him fo, They come before the subject in questions and are snes?” “I’m sory, | can't.” Certain verbs or These are: need (= must), had better (= would) etc. I've got to go to the library. ‘Summary of Functions of Modal Verbs and Synonymous Expressions Requests Can | see the Manager? (informal) Could | see the Manager? (polite) May | see the Manager, please? (ormal) Might | see the Manager? (very formal) Will you do my shopping? (informal) Do/Would you mind working overtime? (polite; formal) Prohibition / Duty You can't enter this area. (prohibition - you aren't allowed to) They couldn't enter that area (prohibition - they weren't allowed to) You mustn't touch the statues. (prohibition - itis forbidden) You may not talk in the library. (prohibition - formal) All applicants must fil in this form. (duty) Al applicants had to fill in that form. (duty - past) People ought to respect the environment. (it is the right thing to do but people don't always do it) He ought to have notified the police of the burglary. (It was the right thing to do but he didn't do it)4 Criticism You could at least call her. (present) You could at least have called her yesterday. (past) He should let us know. He should have let us know before. (but he didn’t) You ought to be more helpful. You ought to have been more helpful. (It was the right thing to do, but you didn't do it) Permission You can/ean'ttake my car. (giving or refusing permission; informal) He wasn't allowed to/couldn't take my car. (past) | could always/was always allowed to stay up late on Saturdays when | was a child (general permission in the past) He was allowed to take my car. (an action that realy happened in the past) Could | go out for a minute? (more polite; asking for permission) You may go out fora minute. (formal; giving permission) Might | have the pleasure of your ‘company? (very formal; asking for permission) Tm sorry, but you can’t/mustn't make long distance phone calls. (informal; refusing permission) Visitors may not take pictures of the statues. (formal; refusing permission = written notice) You are allowed to see the patient. (permission) Read the following sentences, ti They can't have lied. You must tell them the truth, He should have seen a doctor You'd better admit to your He had to wear glasses. BISc@vousenas He was able to run the marathon. Can you help me with my homework? They don't have to employ more staff. Shall | speak to the manager about my problem? People ought to treat animals with respect. She isn't at home. She may be at the supermarket. She could at least have told me in advance. Logical Assumptions He must be tired. (90% certain - Positive; I'm sure he is tired.) He must have arrived by now. (positive; 'm sure he has arrived.) It can't/couldn't be a fake. (negative; I'm sure it isn’t a fake.) ‘She can't/couldn’t have hurt him (negative; I'm sure she didn’t hurt him.) Offers / Suggestions rrivWe'll carry your bags. (offer - informal) Can I/we carry your bags? (offer - informal) Shall I/we collect your laundry? (offer - informal Would you like to stay with me for a couple of days? (offer) Would you like me to give you a lit? (offer) Shall we have a break? (suggestion) We can watch TV. (suggestion) We could go to the theatre tonight. (suggestion) We could have stayed longer if you'd wanted. (suggestion - past) Let's play football! (suggestion) Why don’t we play football? (cuggestion) How about playing football? (suggestion) What about playing football? (suggestion) Modal Verbs ‘Summary of Functions of Modal Verbs and Synonymous Expressions Probability He will come tomorrow. (100% certain; prediction) He should/ought to come by later. (90% certain; future only; it's probable) He should/ought to have reached Rome by now. (He has probably reached Rome.) Advice You should stop talking. (general advice; | advise you) You should have stopped talking, (BUT you didn’t) You ought to comply with the regulations. (| advise you; most people believe this.) You ought to have contacted a lawyer earlier. (BUT you didn't) You had better not lie to her. (it isn’t good idea; advice on a specific situation) It would have been better if you hadn't lied to her. (BUT you did) Shall | enter the competition? (asking for advice) identify the use of each verb in bold. ~-logical assumption - negative.. 47Modal Verbs [i_aentty the use of the verbs in bold, then say the same sentence in as many ways as possible. She's able to cook Chinese food. 1. She can cook Chinese food. ...aPility. 2 Tim may come over today. ‘ 3. He should be at the party tonight. 4 They must have gone out; the lights are off 5. I need to call my mother. 6 7 8 9 You ought to take an umbrella; i's raining You could at least have driven her to work. Ihave to help Mum clean the house. ... Can I have a look at your newspaper? ..... 10. Would you like me to carry that for you? . 11. We ean go to the beach tomorrow. .... 12. You may not feed the animals in the zoo. .. 13 All employees must attend the meeting. 14 The dogs need to be fed at 12:00. 15. You should go to Pam's party. 46 Shall we go out tonight? 47. People ought to drive more caretuly. 18 She can't be feeling well 4 Must (affirmative logical assumption) - May/Might (possibility) - Can't/Couldn’t (negative logical assumption) Present Infinitive I'm sure he works overtime. He must work overtime. Perhaps he will work overtime. He may/might work overtime. Present Cont. Infinitive I'm sure he is working. He must be working. Perhaps he will be working. He may/might be working. Perfect Infinitive I'm sure he didn't work. He can't have worked. I'm sure he hasn't worked before. _ He can't have worked before. ''m gure he hadn't worked. He can't have worked. Perfect Cont. Infinitive Perhaps he was working. He may/might have been working. Perhaps he has been working. He may/might have been working. E } Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five word: 1 I'm sure she lost the race. have She ...rust have lost... the race. 2. Perhaps she will phone us sometime today. may She sometime today. 3. | don’t think the Rogers have lived here long. been The Rogers : 4. I'm sure he has spent al his money. here long. have HO an . all his money. 5 I'msure James wor't be sesing the boss tomorrow. be JAMES srs , .. the boss tomorrow. 6 Perhaps he is feeling il be He .. in, 7 I'm sure Alan wasn't driving carelessly. been Alan. carelessly. 48Modal Verbs 8 Perhaps he had lett before you called have He .. before you called. 9 I'm sure she is. considering your offer. be She ...... - saben your offer. 10 Perhaps they rented the fiat. may ‘They the flat. a Mustn't - Needn't @ mustn't (= its forbidden) You mustn't park on the double yellow lines. @ needn'tidon't have to (= it isn’t necessary) You needn't do the ironing. 1'/ do it tonight. Complete the sentences using the words in bold. [21 _ Use two to five words. 1 It's forbidden to feed the animals. not You ....must not feed... the animals. 2. Itisn't necessary to cut the grass; it's stil quite short rave YOU wrnern the grass; it's stil quite short 3. It's prohibited to take dogs into the restaurant. not You into the restaurant. 4. Itisn't necessary to dust the furniture; I'l do it later. need You the furniture; I'l doit later. 5 Children aren't allowed to run in the corridor. not Children ... .» in the corridor. 6 Sixth formers needn't wear schoo! uniforms. have Sixth formers nnn s-mnswes SCHOOL uniforms. il Needn't - Didn't need to - Needn't have © don't have to / don't need to / needn't + present Je (itis not necessary in the present or future.) Citizens of EU countries don’t have tojdon't need toineedn't have a visa to go to England. © didn’t need to / didn’t have to (It was not necessary in the past and we may not know ifthe action happened or not)) She didn't need to/didin’t have to go out last night. (it wasn’t necessary for her to go out, and we don’t know if she went or not) © needn't + perfect infinitive (We know that something happened in the past although it was not necessary.) He needn't have given the waiter such a big tp. (He did, although it was not necessary.) Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words. 1. Tim went on a two-day trip. He took more clothes than necessary. have —Tim...rigedn't have taken... 80 many clothes on a two-day trip. 2. He decided not to take his passport because it wasn't necessary. Teed HE wn his passport 3. We bought more food than was necessary for the party. have We 0 much food for the party. 4. It wasn't necessary for Gloria to Iron the clothes because Sue had already done it have Gloria i vsommmnna the Olothes because Sue had already done it 5 Itisn’t necessary to have a visa to visit New Zealand if you are Australian need You @ Visa to visit New Zealand if you are Australian 6 It wasn't necessary for Jim to accept the offer. have Jim. the offer. 9Modal Verbs _j be supposed to - be to © be supposed to (= should) expresses the idea that someone else expects something to be done. You are ‘supposed to be helpful to customers. (Your boss expects you to.) You should be helpiul to customers. (W's a good idea because it makes a good impression.) © be to + infinitive expresses the idea that someone else demands something. You are to be in my office al 12 sharp. (You must be in my office at 12 sharp.) © be supposed to and be to are used to express what someone expects about a previously arranged event, The shop assistant was supposed to give me a receipt L ] __ Read the following sentences and explain their meaning. You were supposed to eat your salad. Your mother wanted you to eat your 6% You should clean your room. lata nn eae You are to finish your homework, All students are supposed to do their homework, You are supposed to wear running shoes, You should wear running shoes. Iwas to walk the dog twice a day. Iwas supposed to walk the dog twice a day. BD Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets. Let's go jogging, (shal) .. Shall we go Jossng? Please turn the TV off. (could) ‘Am | allowed to sit here? (may) Please answer the phone. (wil) Don't bite your nails. (must)... Do you mind if| use your pen? (can) Lwish | had checked the tyres. (ought) ‘These curtains don’t have to be ironed. (need) ... It's not polite to speak with your mouth full. (should) 10 Why don't we visit Mark and Jane? (shall)... 11 Is there any chance that he'll phone? (likely) 12 It's advisable to brush your teeth after meals. (should) .. 13. There's a possibilty that he'll arrive a lite late. (might) . 14 Do you know how to ice-skate? (can) 15 It wasn't necessary to show any identification but he did. (need) 16 Why didn’t you tell me there was no one in? (could) 17 twasn't necessary for us to wait because there was no queue. (need) eronsens eervoasens 18 Let's go to the cinema tonight. (shall) 49 I's important that you be here at 9.00. (must) 20. I'm sure he is a millionaire. (must) .. 21. Pethaps he'll change his mind. (may) .. 22 Please, help me carry these! (could) : 23. | don't believe she paid so much for that dress. (can) ... 24 It's a good idea to lock the door at night. (should) 25 Is there any chance well get a pay rise? (likely) 26 Why didn't they inform us of the delay? (could) 27 We could try to mend it ourselves. (Let's) 28 It wasn't necessary for you to go to so much trouble. (need) .. 29 It's a good idea to show more respect. (ought to) ...... 30. You have to inform the bank of any change of address. (must)Modal Verbs Fill in the blanks with a suitable word or phrase practising modals. Identify the use of the modal verb and/or the expressions used. 1 She ... must have worked... (work) late last night; she looks exhausted. logical assumption. 2 When we emigrated to Austala, wo... . leave) our pets BEHIND. smn 3 am ~ (we/go)? It's getting late. 4 - (tan) learning Spanish if you're going to live in Madr. 5 i (be) kinder to her: she's only a child, 6 (you/collect) my parcel for me? 7 a ... (not/take) photographs in the museum. 8 You -(not/pay) by cheque without a cheque guarantee card. 9 The doctor says | . (lose) woight before my operation. 10 [paint) my room a different colour, please? 41 Youreally . svsnnes (NOt/eat) SO Much red meat. 12 He ) your car since he had the keys. 13, 14 15 16 7 18 19 20 You You You ... I'm sorry to bother you but (you/help) me? Call them later; they tidal (sleep) now. You (write) to your grandfather more often. She types very fast Actually ‘she (type) 100 words per minute. You (confirm) your resignation in writing. AE seni sos (tell) her the truth; she now feels betrayed. Ann’ s nnn (Play) the piano at the age of six. They (sell) their flat and buy a bigger one. [1._ Read the following situations, then write how you would respond to each using modals. 1. Your friend has won £10,000 in the lottery. What do you advise her to do? “You should go to Venice.” “Why don’t you go to Chile?”. 2 Your Mend carol sleep et noht What do you suggest he does? 3 tis snowing. Tom ad oe ibe home early and he stil hasn't arrived. What do you think? 4 Some children are playing football in the flower beds. What do you say to them? it bi 5 tis your birthday. Your friend gives you a very expensive present. What do you say? ... i‘ 6 You are ata train station. An old lady is camying a heavy suitcase. How do you offer to help her? 7 You are in a tain. The window is open and you are cold, What do you say to the other passengers? 8 You see your window cleaner with a broken arm. What do you say to him? 9 You are looking after your young cousin. Its after midnight and he is still running around the house. What do you say to him? 40. Your friend hurt her leg a week ago. She stil hasn't seen her doctor. What do you tell her to do? 11. Your friends are late for your dinner party. What do you say as you impatiently look at your watch? 42. Your friends arrive three hours late for the Visitor. How do you reply? .. inner party. They say they were delayed by an unexpected 5]10 " 12 13 14 15 16 52 Modal Verbs _ In Other Words Perhaps he is sleeping now. Itwasn't necessary for her to take so much He may be sleeping now. money with her. I'm sure he hasn't finished yet. ‘She needn't have taken so much money with her. He can't have finished yet. He is likely to perform in the concert. 1'm sure he has left. {tis likely that he will perform in the concert He must have left. He'll probably perform in the concert. Shall | help you with the dishes? Let's go for a ride Would you like me to help you with the dishes? Shall we/Why don't we go for a ride? It's forbidden to take pictures in this museum. What/How about going for a ride? You mustn't take pictures in this museum. Itwould be a good idea to stop talking. You aren't allowed to take pictures in this museum. You should stop talking, Itisn't necessary for you to take the bus. You'd better stop talking. You don't have to/don't need to/needn't take the Would you mind if | used your phone? bus. May/Might | use your phone? Complete the sentences using the words Perhaps the car needs a new engine. need The car....niay/might need... anew engine. Why don't you go to Canada for a holiday? OUI YOU weneninnrsie for a holiday. Shall | get you a cup of tea? me WOU TURE TRACT ... yOu a cup of tea? Sue will probably go and see her aunt. is SUC rommnnn nnn ANG S88 HEF AUN It wasn't necessary for them to buy such a big car as they did. have They... such a big car. It's forbidden to eat in this building, not You .. in this building It would be a good idea to change your hairstyle. better You. . your hairstyle, Why didn't anybody warn me about the bus strike? have Somebody... : Itisn't necessary for you to attend the meeting .. about the bus strike, need You the meeting, Lat’s go to the cinema going — What. the cinema? I'm sure he is seeing Ruth. be He Ruth, Itisn't necessary for you to come early tonight have You .. early tonight. I'm sure he didn't send you this letter. sent HE orn mn this letter. May | read your newspaper? mind Would acme your newspaper? I'm sure she wasn't lying to you. been She ... vv tO you. She is likely to fail her exams. that Itis .. her exams,Modal Verbs 17 It's forbidden to talk to the driver while he is driving, must You ites the driver while he is driving, 18 It wasn't necessary for him to give me the money back so soon. given He .. the money back so soon. 19. Perhaps she went to her uncle's, have She idan sta = to her uncle's, 20 Shall | help you lengthen your dress? me WOUIE rre arti eae you lengthen your dress? [think of the word which best fits each gap. Write only one word in each one. ‘Arachnophobia’ is the term given to the fear 0) . of.. spiders. It comes from the Greek words ‘arachne’. 1) means ‘spider’, and ‘phobos’, meaning ‘fear’. tis one of the most common phobias, especially amongst people of European descent. In Britain, for example, itis estmated that there are up 2) ‘one milion arachnophobes. That's about 1.5% of the population! But why are so many people scared of spiders? More than 99.9% of all spider species ‘cannot hurt humans and the few species that are dangerous are far 3) frightened of us than we are of them. Spiders help keep our homes clean by eating fs, beetles and other pests, and they killinsects which cary serious human diseases, 4) ‘as malaria-carrying mosquitoes. In fact, without spiders, the world would be overrun with insects! So why 5) ‘so many people find them distasteful? Some psychologists have argued that we just can't help it- human beings have evolved to fear spiders. But this seems unlikely. Why? Because 6) strongest arachnophobia began (and continues) in Northern Europe and England - where there are no dangerous spiders 7) all! In contrast, in many parts of the world where there are dangerous spiders, spiders are considered good omens ar symbols, 8) prosperity. For example, American Indians and Australian aborigines worship a spider god in their creation myths. In India, an ancient Hindu ritual involves throwing spiders at a wedding in 9) to bring happiness to the bride ‘and groom. Mexican Indians used to catch spiders to keep 10) homes {ree from flies. Arachnophobia, it seems, has a definite cultural element. So, if you are afraid of spiders, next time you see 11)... vm fOrnind yourself that your fear is probably learnt. And, if you learnt to fear spiders, you 12) probably learn to like them! > CEP ed Make speculations for the following pictures, as in the example. an ™ [Ey ah St: There must have been an accident. 52: The driver may have lost control of the car.