MODAL AUXILIARIES

The modals are verbs which come along with other verbs in order to help express meanings and specific language
functions.
Modal Verb
Can
Cant
Could
May
Might
Must
(for past, we use had
to)
Must not (Mustnt) /
cant
Should
Ought to
Have (got) to
Dont have to/ need
not (neednt)
Will
Would
Shall

Function / Meaning
* permission
* possibility
* ability or capacity
* request
* impossibility
* ability in the past
* polite request
* permission
* possibility (affirmative)
* request
* (remote) possibility
a- obligation /command
b- certainty (deduction)
/logical conclusion
c- necessity
* prohibition
* negative obligation
* giving advice/advisability
* duty / moral obligation
* necessity
* absence of necessity/
obligation

Examples
-You can go to the party. Can I park your car?
- That can be dangerous.
- She can play the piano very well.
- Can I go out tonight, Dad?
-That story cant be true.
- I could ride a bike when I was a child.
- Could you bring me some tea, please?
- You may go to the party.
- There are some clouds. It may rain in the afternoon
- May I come in? May I open that window?
- They said on TV that it might rain.
a-You must do your homework/ Last week, I had to work harder.
b- If he cares about you, he must be your friend
- He must be your twin; he looks exactly like you.
c- I must go home.
- You mustnt/cant smoke in the school area.
- You mustnt tell anyone what I said.
- In my opinion, you should listen to your parents.
- Students ought to behave well in classes.
- I have to go home early.
- Its not raining now; you dont have to/need not take an
umbrella with you.

* request
* offer / invitation
* very polite request
* offer
* suggestion

- Will you help me, please?

- Would you like a piece of cake?
- Would you mind closing the door, please?
- Shall I answer the phone?
- Shall we drink some tea?

Complete the sentences with the most appropriate modal verb.

1- You ________ leave now if you wish. (may/must/cant)
2- _________ you open the door please? (should/could/might)
3- _________ you ride a horse? (Can/might/must)
4- We are in a meeting; we _______ listen carefully to the chairperson. (should/can/might)
5- When I was young, I __________ run faster than my friends. (/may/could/have to)
6- Mary ________ say rude words like that. (mustnt/neednt/have to)
7- You ______ finish the exercise now, you can finish it at home. (dont have/mustnt)
8- If you travel through the desert, you __________ take a compass with you. (must/ might/cant)
9- Its not obligatory to take a tie. You ________ wear one. (must/can/dont have to)
10- I ________ go to the party, but Im not sure yet. (might/must/would)
11- We ________ take the bus today, I have my fathers car. (dont have to/ cant/will)
12- Samir has been living in the US for 10 year; he ________ speak English well. (might/must/would)

Key:
1- may
2-could
3-can

4-should
5-could
6-mustnt

7-dont have to
8-must
9-dont have to/neednt

10-might.
11- dont have/neednt
12- must.