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Modal Verbs Practice Exercises

The document provides a series of exercises using modal verbs in English. There are multiple parts with short sentences to complete or rewrite using different modals. The document covers common modal verbs like can, may, must, should and their uses in various contexts.

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Alberto Romero Sánchez
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106 views3 pages

Modal Verbs Practice Exercises

The document provides a series of exercises using modal verbs in English. There are multiple parts with short sentences to complete or rewrite using different modals. The document covers common modal verbs like can, may, must, should and their uses in various contexts.

Uploaded by

Alberto Romero Sánchez
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MODALS – Extra

1º Bachillerato

A) Complete the sentences with CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO. (Attention to the tenses)
1. I'm sorry, but we ____________ go to your party next Saturday.
2. She got the job because she ____________ speak five languages.
3. You are speaking very quietly. I ____________ hear you.
4. I was tired but I ____________ leave until the meeting finished.
5. He ____________ go to the concert next Saturday. He is working.
6. She ____________ understand me in spite of the noise around.
7. I'll ____________ see you tomorrow.
8. When they came back from Paris, they ____________ speak perfect French.
9. After a few hours, I ____________ open the door and go out.
10. I've never ____________ understand maths.
11. He ____________ repair the car but it took him a long time.
12. We ____________ contact our agent in Athens a few minutes ago.
13. After the accident, he somehow ____________ walk home.

B) Write in English.
ç

1. ¿Puedo hablar con usted un momento?


2. Ayer no pude poner en marcha el coche.
3. Cuando tenía seis años, sabía patinar muy bien.
4. Consiguió escapar del incendio en el último minuto.
5. Saber hablar inglés es fundamental en estos tiempos.

C) Rewrite these sentences using MAY, MIGHT or BE ALLOWED TO. (Affirmative or negative)
1. Perhaps it will rain tomorrow (it has been raining all week)
2. Perhaps my friend will visit me tomorrow (he is in town)
3. Maybe he will find a new job (he isn't looking for it)
4. I think the car is at the car park.
5. I think the car is at the car park, but I'm not very sure.
6. Visitors cannot stay in the hospital after 8 o'clock.
7. Will you let the children go to the theatre tomorrow?
8. Perhaps he'll go to the university (he is a very bad student)
9. Perhaps he'll go to the university (he is an average student)

D) Write in English.
1. Quizá visitemos a Rosa el viernes.
2. Vendré a la fiesta, pero es posible que llegue tarde.
3. Puede que se haga rico, pero no lo creo.
4. Podré quedarme hasta tarde.

E) Complete these sentences with MUST, MUSTN'T, NEEDN'T or HAVE TO.


1. Why are you still waiting? You ____________ wait any more.
2. Some years ago in Spain, men ____________ do military service.
3. Sarah is a nurse, sometimes she ____________ work at weekends.
4. Why does she want to decide now? She ____________ answer until tomorrow.
5. I didn't have any money with me, so I ____________ borrow some.
6. I eat too much chocolate, I really ____________ stop.
7. They've been very rude, they ____________ apologise tomorrow.
8. You ____________ borrow my books without asking.
9. I'm sorry, you ____________ smoke here.
10. You ____________ take that money, it isn't yours.
11. He ____________ be inside that room, I've seen him come in!

F) Write in English.
1. Antonio no tiene que levantarse a las seis de la mañana.
2. Tengo que ir al médico esta tarde.
3. ¿Tendrás que trabajar el sábado por la tarde?
4. Patricia no tuvo que esperar mucho el autobús.
5. El dinero tiene que estar aquí.
6. No hace falta que trabajes tanto.
7. Tienes que visitar el museo de la ciudad, es muy interesante.
8. Es tarde, creo que debería irme a casa.
9. Nunca he podido entender los verbos modales en inglés.
10. Mañana no tendré que levantarme pronto.
11. No hace falta que la canguro venga mañana, yo me quedaré en casa a cuidar de los niños.

G) Fill in the gaps with a modal verb.


1. You ____________ fall asleep when you are driving.
2. You ____________ feed the cat, it isn't hungry.
3. ____________ you help me move the furniture?
4. A fish ___________ swim, but it ____________ fly.
5. The children ____________ leave school early tomorrow.
6. You ____________ wait any longer, you ____________ go now.
7. The fire spread quickly but everyone ____________ escape.
8. You ____________ drive so fast, we're not late.
9. ____________ we go climbing? - No, let's go swimming.
10. You can only smoke in the canteen, you ____________ smoke in this room.
11. You ____________ leave medicines in places where children can get hold of them.
12. My grandfather was very clever, he ____________ speak four languages.
13. I'm hungry. - Don't worry, I ____________ make a sandwich for you.
14. You ____________ shout, I can hear you.
15. She's got temperature, she ____________ go out today, she ____________ stay in bed.
16. The boy fell into the river but we ______________ rescue him.
17. Yes, you ______________ learn the verbs before the exam.
18. ____________ I borrow your bicycle tomorrow?
19. Dad, you ____________ smoke so much, it's bad for you.
20. Sir, ____________ I make a suggestion?
21. We are'n't sure about tomorrow, but we ____________ go to the beach.
22. I arrived home at eleven p.m. because I ____________ work late.
23. She hates ____________ get up early.
24. Mary keeps crying, she ____________ have a problem.
25. I think you ____________ take the train, it's faster than the bus.
26. ____________ I ask you for the next dance?
27. Don't wait up for me. I ____________ stay in town tonight.
28. The milkman ____________ put water in the milk.
29. If you go to town, you'll ____________ do some shopping.
30. You ____________ bring an umbrella, it isn't going to rain.
31. Do you think you ____________ tell your teacher what happened?
H) Translate the following sentences into English.
1. Después de intentarlo mucho, pudimos abrir la caja.
2. Nos permitieron ver a mi primo, que estaba en la cárcel.
3. Si podemos encontrar la llave, podremos abrir la puerta.
4. ¿Puedo salir antes de que toque el timbre, por favor?
5. Ann ha encontrado una asistenta. Ya no tiene que hacer el trabajo de casa.
6. No hace falta que traigais los libros mañana.
7. Puede que no venga a trabajar mañana, está muy resfriado.
8. No tengo dinero, ¿puedes prestarme algo?
9. No debes decirle esto a nadie, es un secreto.
10. Podría ser algo mayor que nosotros, pero no es posible que tenga 40 años.

I) Rewrite these sentences using the modals or semi-modals in brackets.

1. It is against the law to drive without a licence. (mustn’t)


2. Perhaps Sarah lends Simon some money. (may)
3. It is sometimes very hot here in the summer. (can)
4. Would you like me to bring you some magazines? (shall)
5. It isn't necessary to be over 18 to get married. (needn’t)
6. It is important for me to pass the exam. (must)
7. It will not be necessary for you to come tomorrow. (have to)
8. Perhaps it will rain tonight. (may)
9. It is against the law to drive without a seat belt. (mustn’t)
10. There's a small possibility that he comes on a motorbike. (might)

J) Rewrite these sentences so that they have the same meaning.

1. You may not smoke in this classroom. You …………….


2. Perhaps he comes to the party. He .................
3. You can come but it isn't necessary. You ..........
4. He wasn't able to lift the piano. He ......................
5. She isn't allowed to enter the room. She .................
6. Do you know how to drive a lorry? ......................
7. I don't believe you are a policeman. You ..................
8. He ought to study more. He ..........
9. I'm almost sure he is French. He ....................
10. I suggest you get a second opinion. You ...........................

K) Rewrite these sentences so that they have the same meaning. They can be PRESENT or PAST

1. I'm sure they went away yesterday. They ....


2. It isn't necessary for you to go. You ....
3. Perhaps Frank will win the pools. Frank ....
4. I don't believe he took the money. He ....
5. It was wrong of him to break it. He ...
6. It's forbidden to drive on the right in Great Britain. You ....
7. Is it alright if I use your phone?
8. Perhaps George won't have time. George ....
9. Perhaps he didn't have time. He ....
10. I suppose they enjoyed the concert. They ....
11. You are not obliged to come back again. You ..............
12. She mustn’t enter. She isn’t ................
13. I was wrong to say you were guilty. I .................
14. You are not allowed to smoke in this classroom. You ...........

Common questions

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'Must not' indicates a strong prohibition, often a rule or law, suggesting that something is forbidden. 'Can't,' while also indicating prohibition, often implies practical impossibility or lack of permission in informal contexts . Thus, 'must not' is more formal and absolute, whereas 'can't' could be used for informal or practical restrictions.

The choice between 'may', 'might', and 'be allowed to' depends on the degree of possibility, permission, and context of certainty. 'May' is often used for formal permission or a high degree of possibility. 'Might' indicates a lower degree of possibility or hypothetical situations. 'Be allowed to' refers explicitly to permission and is often more definite in indicating whether permission has been granted .

Correct use of modals enhances clarity by clearly indicating possibility, necessity, and permission, improving the listener's understanding and the speaker's intent. Incorrect usage can lead to ambiguity, misunderstandings, or perceived rudeness. For example, 'You must leave' (strong obligation) versus 'You may leave' (permission) vastly change a sentence's implications . Politeness is intricately linked with modal choice, impacting social interactions.

'Must' indicates an internal obligation or necessity, often based on the speaker's judgment or authority . 'Have to' suggests an external obligation or requirement often dictated by a rule or external necessity . 'Needn't' (or 'do not need to') expresses the lack of necessity to do something, implying that something is not required .

Modal verbs such as 'must' and 'have to' express obligation in English. 'Must' is used for present obligations the speaker feels strongly about. 'Had to' indicates a past obligation, usually imposed by external circumstances. 'Need to' can also reflect a present necessity, but 'needed to' does so in the past form . The choice of modals shows whether an obligation is a current requirement or was applicable in the past.

Modals for predictions modify the verb tense to adjust to certainty levels. 'Might come' suggests possibility with a weaker certainty and is used in future contexts with open hypothetical scenarios. 'Will be' indicates future certainty, showing a strong prediction. 'May happen' presents a probability but is stronger than 'might,' often used for formal predictions . The choice impacts sentence structure, requiring the main verb to be in base form after the modal verb.

Cultural context significantly affects modal verb choice in expressing politeness. In formal settings, 'could' and 'would' are preferred for their softer, more polite tone. For example, 'Could you pass the salt?' is more polite than 'Can you pass the salt?' Additionally, 'may' is often used in very formal contexts when making polite requests or granting permission . Different cultures might value indirectness and formality differently, impacting modal choice.

'Shall' is less common in modern English, often replaced by 'will' for future intentions or predictions, yet it's retained in legal and formal contexts to express obligation or offer (e.g., 'Shall we go?'). Precision in using 'shall' avoids ambiguity, as its connotation implies a stronger obligation or a formal offer than 'will.' Over time, 'shall' has evolved to be more context-specific, primarily for formal settings or legal language.

Modal verbs introduce subtle differences in emphasis or politeness within rearranged sentence structures. For instance, 'May I open the window?' is polite formal permission, whereas 'Can I open the window?' implies a direct request with less formality . The placement and choice of modals affect the sentence's mood and politeness level, influencing interpretation based on context and intent.

'Can' indicates present ability or possibility . 'Could' is used to express past ability or polite requests in conditional situations . 'Be able to' can replace 'can' for future or past contexts where the latter is not grammatically suitable .

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