Unit 19: Grammar
Modals 1:ability, permission, advice
Introduction to modals
The modal verbs are:
statement negative statement negative
can can’t/cannot could couldn’t/ could not
may may not might mightn’t / might not
will won’t/ will not would wouldn’t/ would not
shall shan’t/shall not should shouldn’t/ should not
must mustn’t/ must not
All modal verbs: Semi-modals
- have only one form There are also some phrases that we use like
I/ you/ he/ she/ it/ we/ they may write an e-mail. modals:
- are followed by the bare infinitive - ought to (ought not to)
You should call Stella. - have to (don’t have to)
- do not have an infinitive - need to (don’t need to/ needn’t)
Like modals, ought to doesn’t change.
Have to and need to change for person and tense
like normal verbs and have infinitives.
Watch out!
- We form questions with modal verbs like this:
Can you understand what he’s saying?
- We use modals with the passive voice like this:
The address should be written clearly on the front of the envelope.
* Ability
Use Modal Example
Ability now or generally can Can you use a fax machine?
Ability in the past could Tom could read when he was two years old.
Watch out
We use be able to to form other tenses.
It’s useful to be able to order things by e-mail. (infinitive)
Soon, I’ll be able to speak Italian quite well. (future)
Have you been able to speak English for a long time? (present perfect)
* Permission
Use Modal Example
Asking for permission can/ could/ may Can/ Could/ May I use the phone?
Giving permission can/ may You can/ may send the fax when you like.
Watch out! May is more polite than could and could is more polite than can.
Use Modal Example
Asking for and giving advice should Liam ought to/ should watch less TV.
ought to
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A. Underline the mistake in each sentence and write the correct words.
1. My older brother can to ride a motorbike, but I can’t. ____________ ride _______________
2. He’ll has his dinner early today because he’s going out. ___________have________________
3. Do you can come to my party? ___________Can you_____________
4. You should to see a doctor about your foot ___________should see____________
5. I couldn’t bought any bread because the baker’s was closed. ________couldn’t buy___________
6. You needn’t to do the washing-up. I’ve already done it. ____________needn’t do__________
7. The school ought listen to pupil’s opinions. __________ought to listen_________
8. People shouldn’t to drop their rubbish in the street _________shouldn’t drop__________
B. Look at the pictures and complete the sentences using can, could or the correct form of be
able to. You may have to use some negative forms.
Amy really loves playing chess and she (1) Amy has (4) ___ been able to ___ ride a bicycle
___can____ play very well. When she was a since she was three. She wants to learn to drive
baby she (2) ___couldn’t_____ play chess. She when she grows up, though. When she’s
thinks that when she’s older, she’ll (3) ___be eighteen, she hopes she’ll (5) __ be able to ___
able to___ win the national championships! do her driving test. She (6) ___can’t___ drive a
car now though. It’s against the law!
C. Write what they say using the word given.
1. Tony wants to borrow his friend’s pencil. Could
“Could I borrow your pencil ?”
2. Alex wants to allow her friend to use her dictionary. Can
“You can use my dictionary_______________________________________________.”
3. Julie wants permission from her teacher to leave the classroom. May
“May I leave the classroom_______________________________________________?”
4. Lou wants to wear his brother’s new trainers. Can
“Can I wear your new trainers____________________________________________?”
5. Terry wants to ask her boss for permission to take the day off work. Could
“Could I take the day off work_____________________________________________?”
6. Diane wants to use her dad’s car this weekend. can
“Can I use your car this weekend__________________________________________?”
7. A teacher wants to give her students five extra minutes to finish the test. May
“You may have five extra minutes test______________________________________.”
D. Rewrite the sentences using should or ought to and the words in brackets. You may have to
use some negative forms.
1. “I need to earn more money.” (a, get, job, new, you)
“You should/ ought to get a new job .”
2. “Brenda is angry about what I said.” (are, say, sorry, you, you)
“You should/ ought to say sorry___________________________________________.”
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3. “Tom doesn’t understand his homework” (about, ask, it, he, his, teacher)
“He should/ ought to ask his teacher about it_________________________________.”
4. “I’d like to learn to play the piano.” (having, lessons, start, you)
“You should/ ought to start having lessons___________________________________.”
5. “Tina is often tired at work.” (at, late, night, she, TV, watch)
“She should/ ought to watch TV late at night_________________________________.”
6. “I don’t seem to have much energy at the moment.” (exercise, get, some, you)
“You should/ ought to get some exercise_____________________________________.”
E. Circle the correct word or phrase.
1. I’ve been having swimming lessons and how I can/ could swim really well.
2. Please could/ should I use your mobile phone? Mine doesn’t have any power.
3. Sam could/ ought to get a job instead of complaining about having no money.
4. Okay, yes – you can/ should leave five minutes early today.
5. Do you think I must/ should tell Michael the truth about what happened?
6. I can’t/ couldn’t read until I was five years old.
7. I’m sorry, but you can’t/ couldn’t leave your car there.
8. If you want to pass the exam, you can/ ought to do some revision.
9. I know John lived in Tokyo, but I don’t think he can/ may speak Japanese.
10. Tracy can/ could sing really well now that she’s had a few lessons.
F. Match to make sentences
1. There’s a lot of washing-up; I think we should _1-D_ A. wait for their flight in the VIP area.
2. It’s getting quite late and we ought _2-C_ B. borrow some if you need it.
3. I don’t have much money, but you can _3-B_ C. to think about getting a taxi.
4. It’s amazing that Andrew could _4-E_ D. offer to do it.
5. Passenger travelling in first class may _5-A_ E. walk when he was just six months old.
