Modal Example Uses

Can

Can’t

They can control their own budgets.

Can I smoke here? Yes, you can.

Can you help me? Yes, I can.

We can’t fix it.

It cannot be Greg. Greg is much taller.

No, you can’t do that.

Ability / Possibility(Moći, umeti, znati, biti u prilici)Asking for and giving permission(Pitati za dozvolu i dati je)Request / Replying to a request(Tražiti uslugu od nekoga / Odgovoriti pozitivno)

Inability / Impossibility(Nemogućnost, nesposobnost, nemati mogućnost ili priliku)Deduction (Izvođenje zaključka)

Not giving permission (Ne dati dozvolu)

Could Could I borrow your dictionary?

Could you say it again more slowly?

We could try to fix it ourselves.I think we could have another Gulf War.

He could swim when he was 4 years old.

Asking for permission. (Tražiti dozvolu)Request (Uputiti ljubazan zahtev)

Suggestion (Predložiti nešto)Future possibility (Moguć budući događaj)Ability in the past (Prilika ili sposobnost u prošlosti)

May

May not

May I have another cup of coffee?

China may become a major economic power.

No, you may not do it.

Asking for and giving permission(Tražiti i dati dozvolu - smeti)Future possibility (Moguć budući događaj – moguće, možda)Not giving permission (Ne dati dozvolu – ne moći)

Might We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now.They might give us a 10% discount.

Present possibility (Sadašnja mogućnost - možda)Future possibility (Buduća mogućnost- možda)

Must

Mustn’t

We must say good-bye now.Someone’s at the door. It must be Greg. We are all expecting him.You must see that film. It’s fantastic.

They mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary.

Necessity / Obligation (Neophodnost, obaveza - morati)Deduction (Zaključak - mora)Recommendation (Preporuka)

Prohibition (Zabrana)

Ought to We ought to employ a professional writer. Saying what’s right or correct(Preporuka šta bi trebalo da se uradi)

Shall(More

common in the UK than

the US)

Shall I help you with your luggage?Shall we say 2.30 then?

Shall I do that or will you?

Offer or Ask what to do (Ponuditi pomoć ili pitati šta da radiš)

Suggestion (Predložiti)

Should We should sort out this problem at once.

I think we should check everything again.

Profits should increase next year.

Saying what’s right or correct(Preporuka šta bi trebalo da se uradi)Recommending action (Predložiti korak koji treba preduzeti)Uncertain prediction (buduće predviđanje)

(Could/May) you open the window a bit, please?Listen, please. You (may not/might not) speak during this exam. You (couldn't/might not) smoke on the bus. (May/Can) youswim? It has been too hot these days. With luck, tomorrow (can/could) be a cooler day. You (can/might) be right but I'm going back to check the times. You (may/might) leave now if you wish.They (can/might) be away for the weekend but I'm not sure.

Use should / shouldn't / mustn't

1. We -------- invite the Nortons to our party. They are nice people.2. Young children ---------stay at home on their own.3. Before you go to the dentist's, you -------- brush your teeth.4. You ---------- smoke in bed!5. You ------ shut the windows because it is raining.6. You ---------- forget her birthday again.7. You ----------- go to the theatre when you are in Vienna. It's great.8. They ---------tell her about John's accident. She could break down.9. You ---------- cross the street when the traffic lights are red.10. The doctor told Charlie that he ------ drink too much alcohol.11. My mum thinks I --------- spend so much money on clothes.12. "Twilight" is a really great book. You ----------- read it soon.13. The teacher said to me,"You ---------- get up earlier because you are late again!"14. You --------- tell lies!15. You -----------drive the car. You are only thirteen! 16. You ----------talk aloud in the library. 17. You -----------.smoke cigarette in hospital.18. We -----------visit our grandparents more often.19. You ---------.touch burning items.20. You ----------drive too fast in the city. 21. Aynur ----------drink milk every day. She is very thin. 22. Students--------leave the classroom before the bells ring.23. You ----------brush your teeth after breakfast.24. Your father ----------stop smoking.25. You -------try asking the bus driver to help you. 26. You -------take an umbrella with you, in case it starts to rain. 27. You --------answer his letter as soon as possible.

can, may, must, needn’t,

1. Alan isn't coming tonight. He-------come tomorrow, I hope. 2. There's a lot of work to do in the house. You-----help me! 3. You----call him anymore. I have already called him. 4. She is over there. -------you see her? 5. --------I borrow your pen, please? I know I do it often, but it’s the last time, promiss.

6. Teachers-------beat children. It's forbidden. 7. We----eat sweets! We are on a diet. 8. You----buy it on Sunday if you want. The shops are open. 9. You----drive me to the station. I can walk. 10. We want to be the best. We____practise!11. ----------you pass my pencil to me?12. He ------- walk thirty miles a day.13. When she was young, she --------- swim across the lake.14. ------ you please, tell me how to get to Almond Street?15. You --------provide proper identification in order to cash a check. 16. They -------work harder if they are to succeed.17. -----I have some more soup? 18. The members of the organization agree that I -------join it.

1.   The article stated that he ___________ read at the age of three. 2.        You ____________ take a sweater in case it gets cold.     3.        It's going to rain all afternoon.  ___________ we go to the cinema?        4.        Scott ________ be 21 at the end of the month.     5.        Julie said they traffic was heavy, so she  ___________ be late for the meeting.     6.        You look a bit confused.  ________ I help you?     7.        You stole a CD from a friend? You _____________ be ashamed of  yourself!     8.        I don't know the meaning of this word.  _______ I borrow your dictionary?

Put the correct modal verb in its correct form combined with the verb in brackets to make deductions. In questions one to 6, try to use a different modal verb in each situation.Situation : There are five milk bottles on their front door step.1. They ____________________ (forget) to cancel their milk deliveries.2. They ____________________ (wake up) yet.3. There ____________________ (be) some guests staying with them.Situation : His coat is on the floor.4. He ____________________ (drop) it.5. It ____________________ (be) his coat.6. There ____________________ (be) some logical reason for it!

1. Perhaps she will agree with it. Who knows? – She-------agree with it.2. I can hear some voices. Someone-------be in the house. 3. He (can/could)________________ be from Sheffield, judging by his accent.4. They (can't/may not)________________ still be out! It’s getting very late.5. I'm almost certain that she's not in the hotel ,it's quite impossible ! She…. be at the hotel.

Put the correct modal verb in its correct form into the gaps.7. He was very strong; he ____________________ ski all day and dance all night.8. We ____________________ to borrow umbrellas; so we didn't get wet.9. I was so far from the stage that I ____________________ see very well.10. He sees very badly; he ____________________ wear glasses all the time.11. NOTICE: All dogs ____________________ kept on leads!12. Farmers ____________________ get up early.13. You ____________________ drive fast; there is a speed limit here.14. We ____________________ drive fast; we have plenty of time.15. They ____________________ get up early; they were on holiday.

Can, could, may and might

1 They (can/might) be away for the weekend but I'm not sure.2 You (may/might) leave now if you wish.3 (Could/May) you open the window a bit, please?4 He (can/could) be French, judging by his accent.5 (May/Can) you play the piano?6 Listen, please. You (may not/might not) speak during this exam.7 They (can't/may not) still be out! 8 You (couldn't/might not) smoke on the bus. 9 With luck, tomorrow (can/could) be a sunny day. 10 You (can/might) be right but I'm going back to check anyway.11.They (could live) in New York, but I'm not sure.

1.   You ______ finish the exercise now. You can finish it at home. don't have to / mustn’t / should 2. You ___________ drive so aggressively. You'll end up killing someone.         don't have to / mustn't3.   James ___________ go to church if he doesn't want to.doesn't have to / mustn’t / should

 4. Helen ___________ make racist comments. It makes her seem really ignorant.  doesn’t have to / mustn’t / must 

can, may, must Don't park your car on bends. It is illegal. – You------park your car on bends. I want you to tidy the classroom. – You-------tidy the classroom. I need your help. It's too much work for me. – You-----help me. Look at that baloon. It's over there. ------you see the balloon? Don't worry about dinner. I'll make it. – You-------- worry about dinner. It is not necessary to be there. – We------be there.Why don't you stay with us? No problem! – You---------stay with us.

CAN

Ability,possibility,probability,permissionI can swim very well.It can be John. He has blond hair and he is wearing glasses.Why not? You can marry her. She is a nice girl.Can he can speak English fluently? - No, he can't.We cannot sing at all!We can go to the seaside at last. Our holidays start next week.

MAYPermissions,prediction,being formalYou may borrow my car. I won't need it.May I smoke here? - No, you can't, I'm sorry.They may call tomorrow. I hope so.

MUST

Obligations,recommendation,certaintyof the of the speaker (deduction)I must clean my teeth. I want to be healthy.You must go there. And do it right now!You must see it. It's the best film I've ever seen.They must be at school by now. It's already 9 o'clock.

May I smoke here?- You mustn't smoke here. (strong prohibition)- You may not smoke here. (more polite, very formal)- You can't smoke here. (informal spoken English)

Must , have to

It's later than I thought. I ______ go now.Jack left before the end of the meeting. He go home early.In Britain many children--------wear uniform when they go to school.When you come to London again, you------come and see us.You really--------work harder if you want to pass the examination.I'm afraid I can't come tomorrow. I-------work late.Paul doesn't like his new job. Sometimes he--------work at weekends.We couldn't repair the car ourselves. We--------take it to a garage.Julia wears glasses. She-------wear glasses since she was very young.He-------be friendly, but he is usually unfriendly.I have no time. I--------leave now. My parents are waiting for me.I--study well for the exam.It-----rain in the desert sometimes, but you can't depend on it.Yasmine--------not swim when she was one year old.Marie-------come to the party, but nobody is sure.Patrick ---------lift that heavy table. He is too weak.Stop smoking! You really------not smoke.The project ----finish in two years time.We----- not climb those mountains when we were kids.We-------watch TV so much.I borrow your pen?You failed in your final test. You------have studied harder.You ------behave well in front of guests. Stop being silly.You-----leave the class before 1 o'clock.You-----run faster if you weren't so lazy.In England, pupils-------wear uniforms.But in France, we---------; it is not necessary.French teenagers-------wear what they want.In the USA, they-------say the 'Pledge of Allegiance' every morning.I think pupils and teenagers in general------have more respect for teachers and adults.In the classroom you--------bring your own computer.Sometimes Pierre has very bad results...I think he--------work more.In my school, I------show my 'Carnet' if I finish at 5.30pm.When they are young, top-models------get diplomas to prepare their new career and plan their future.In France, you------buy books for Primary School.

May I have another cup of coffee? China _______ become a major economic power.When you have a small child in the house, you ________leave small objects lying around. Such objects ________be swallowed, causing serious injury or even death.Please make sure to water my plants while I am gone. If they don't get enough water, they __________ die.I _________speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we lived in Egypt. But after we moved back to Canada, I had very little exposure to the language and forgot almost everything I knew as a child. Now, I _________just say a few things in the language.I _______ buy flowers for my mother-in-law. Do your homework! - You __________do your homework.I want you to tidy the classroom. - You _________tidy the classroom.Don't worry about dinner. I'll make it. - You _________worry about dinner.Perhaps she will agree with it. Who knows? - She __________agree with it. I need your help. It's too much work for me. - You ___________help me.

Choose the right modal verbOn the plane: You need not/must not wear a seat belt all the time. You must/must not revise English words if you want to speak English. You must not/need not take me to the station. I know the way. You need not/may not stop in front of my garage. I can't get out. Is your telephone all right now? May/Can you hear me again? Be careful! You must not/need not fall over again. Don't panic. You must/may pass the exam next time. I can't carry all this luggage on my own. You need not/must help me! I don't want to go out now. I may/must dust the furniture first.

Complete these sentences in an appropriate way.16. Don’t leave your bicycle there.Someone ____________________ (steal) it.17. I’m going to buy two bottles of milk.You ____________________ (buy) milk; we have loads in the fridge.18. I ‘m going to water the roses.You ____________________ (water) them. Look, it's raining now!