Modal Verbs

2
DEFINITION

They are Auxiliary verbs that provide additional and specific meaning to the main verb of the sentence.
Modal verbs are sometimes referred to as Modal Auxiliary verbs because they help other verbs
Here they are:
Can
Could
May
Might
Must
Shall
Should
Would
Ought to

HOW DO WE USE MODALS?

1. They do not accept conjugation.
2. There is no s in singular.
3. There is no do / does in the question.
4. There is no dont / doesnt in the negative.
5. Modal verbs do not have infinitives or ing forms.
6. Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to.
7. Modal verbs do not have all the tenses.
8. Modal verbs use other verbs to complete the tenses:
Can is completed with be able to
Must is completed with have to
9. Some of them can have more than one meaning depending on the situations.
10. They are modals referred to actions that happened in the past: MODAL PERFECTS:
MODAL + HAVE + verb in past participle

There are few verbs which often serve as modals too. These are modal-like verbs. They need to be
conjugated:

Need to
Have to

REPHRASING EXERCISES: MODAL AUXILIARY VERBS

A. Rewrite the following sentences starting with the words given.

2

1. Dont make any noise. Talking is forbidden in the library /You...........
2. It isnt necessary for them to buy a new car. /They....................
3. I am absolutely sure she didnt go out with him / She.....................
4. Perhaps I wont be ready to show you my new house today / I..........
5. You didnt stop at the traffic lights: it was red / You...............
6. They were able to escape from the old house that was on fire / They...........
7. You are not allowed to smoke in any public building / People..................
8. I am certain that her sister caused the accident / Her sister.......................
9. Its impossible to sleep. Youre making too much noise. / We............
10. It is likely / possible that Shakespeare didnt write this play because the style is quite different /
Shakespeare..........................................
11. It was possible for my mates to rent a lovely house but they didnt / My mates.......
12. Would you mind if I sit here? / ............. I.............. ?
13. Im sure she was quite angry when she said it / She........................
14. Its possible that David wrote the note. / David............................
15. Suspects are not obliged to say anything to the police / Suspects............
16. I told you to buy this magazine, but you didnt/ You.........................
17. Tanya is very good at chess. / Tanya.................................
18. Perhaps Peter will forget that you are coming this evening / Peter..................
19. When I was a teenager, I wasnt allowed to smoke / I............
20. In Spain it isnt compulsory to do military service / People............
21. It wasnt necessary for you to wash the dishes. / You............................
22. Its possible the child broke the mug. / The child.........................
23. I advise you to save some money. Youre spending too much. / You............
24. It was wrong of you to copy her work / You........................
25. Steve knows how to play the guitar well. / Steve.......................
26. Hes certainly tired after the long journey. / After the long journey, he...........
27. Please, help me wash the car. / ............... you...................................?
28. It was necessary for him to take an earlier flight. The later one was full. / He........
29. I expect her to pass the driving test. She drives well. / She..........
30. Its sad / a pity that the boy didnt win the prize. / The boy.........
31. I didnt take another slice of cake although they offered me one. / I.......
32. Perhaps they wont send the letter. / They..............................
33. It was possible for him to buy a Rolls Royce, but he didnt / He....................
34. There is no possibility that Mark committed the crime. / Mark...........
35. Its obligatory that children are accompanied by an adult at the zoo. / Children............
36. Id like to speak to the Chief of Police, please. / ................. I........................?
37. I can feel the heat. Were certainly near the fire. / We..............................
38. I suggest that you not lie in the sun so much. / You.............................
39. We cant play backgammon. / We arent.........................................
40. It was wrong to stay out all night without phoning me. / You.................

B. Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word in capitals, and so that the meaning
stays the same:

2

1.I expect this beach will be deserted. SHOULD
..

2.This climb is possibly dangerous. COULD
..

3.Arthur is sometimes really irritating! CAN
..

4.How about going to the theatre instead? COULD

5.I'm sure this isn't the way to Norwich. CAN'T
..

6.It would be all the same if we gave up now. MIGHT

7.I'm sure that's Marion. MUST

8.It would be impossible to tell Sally the truth. POSSIBLY

9.It wasn't very nice of you not to invite me to your party. MIGHT
.

10.Thank you very much for buying me flowers. SHOULDN'T
.

11.I don't believe that you have lost your keys again! CAN'T
..

12.Mary was a talented violinist at the age of ten. COULD
.

13.I don't believe that you have lost your keys again! CAN'T
..

14.Perhaps they didn't notice the tire was flat. MIGHT

15.A visa wasn't necessary after all. NEED
.

Modal Verbs

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Modal Verbs

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Modal Verbs

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What are modal auxiliary verbs and how are they used?

What is the purpose of the rephrasing exercises provided?

2

You might also like