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Understanding Modal Verbs: Must, Can't, Should

The document discusses the use of modal verbs such as 'must', 'can't', 'should', and 'will' to express certainty, deduction, and expectation. It provides examples of how these verbs are used in different contexts to indicate varying levels of certainty about a situation. Additionally, it includes exercises for choosing the correct modal verb in given sentences.

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Nechorosheva Katerina
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9 views18 pages

Understanding Modal Verbs: Must, Can't, Should

The document discusses the use of modal verbs such as 'must', 'can't', 'should', and 'will' to express certainty, deduction, and expectation. It provides examples of how these verbs are used in different contexts to indicate varying levels of certainty about a situation. Additionally, it includes exercises for choosing the correct modal verb in given sentences.

Uploaded by

Nechorosheva Katerina
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

ertainty: must, can't, will, should

ttttst' can't We say that something must be true if we are certain, not from direct experience,
hrt from deduction: from thinking about it logically. Compare:
*el at home: I saw her go in.
She must be at home - her car's outside and the lights are on.
fte usual negative of must,with this meaning, is cannot/can't.
She can't be at home: her car's gone and there are no lights on.

*ould We use should (nof) when we are not certain, but think that there are good reasons to
ftink that something is true or nol
He left an hour ago. He should be home by now.
'11-ho
can I ask about the dates?' 'Try lessica - she should know.'
I"nt going to service the car myself - it shouldn't be too dfficult.

Aryfut to is possible with the same meaning.


'Try'
lessica - she ought to know.'

I choose the best form.


I If A is bigger than B, and B is bigger than C, then C must I can't be bigger than A.
I Gemma must I should be able to translate this for you - she knows some Arabic.
-3 'You ve won firstprize! 'lt can't I shouldn't be truet'
{ Look at their house. They must I ought tohave plenty of money.
5 Look at those clouds. We must I should get some rain soon.
6 I m going out for abit.I can't I shouldn'tbe home too late.
I That must I can'tbe her mother - they're more or less the same age.
8 'We're offto Turkey for a weekl 'Thatmust I shouldbe nicel
9 Can I have a few words with you? It should I shouldn't take long.
l0 That mustn't I can'tbe Daniel - he's in Morocco.

rill We can use will and will not / won't with a similar meaning to must/can't This is most
sxnmon when we are certain of something because it's what is expected, or what is normal/typical.
'There\
somebody coming up the stairs.' 'That'll be Mary.'
{dn you ring lohn?' 'Will he be there now?' 'Yes, he always starts work at 8.00.'
\hall we go and have something to eat?' 'No, the canteen won't be open yet.'

@ eut inwittorwon't.
I Chloe still be in the office: shet always the last to leave.
I The chair isnt all that big. It ......... .. fit in the car all right.
-1 It's no use phoning Alan - he ............. be at home now.
-l George saw William yesterday, so he ......... .. know what's happening.
5 fenny be out of hospital yet - her operation was only yesterday.
6 'Theret a letter from you.' 'That .......... . be from the bank, I expecti
I As you know from my report, we are losing money heavily.
8 Jack had a very late night. He ............ be feeling too good today, I imagine.
9 \Ve'd better phone Helen. She be wondering where weve got to.
l0 Excuse me. You remember me, but we met in Dublin last year.

MODAL VERBS 65

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