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B1 · grammar

Modal Verbs Exercises (B1) — Free

Modal verbs: ability, permission, obligation, advice, possibility and deduction

Modal verbs (can, could, must, should, might, may) are followed by the base form of the verb, without 'to': you should go, not 'you should to go'. 'Can' and 'could' talk about ability and permission (I can swim; Could I borrow your pen?), and 'could' is also the past of 'can'. 'Must' and 'have to' express obligation, but 'must' has no past form, so use 'had to' (I had to work yesterday). Be careful with the negatives: 'mustn't' means it's not allowed, while 'don't have to' means it isn't necessary (You don't have to come, but you can). 'Should' gives advice (You should rest), and 'might' or 'may' show that something is possible but not certain (It might rain). We also use 'must' when we are sure something is true, and 'can't' when we are sure it isn't (She must be tired; That can't be Tom, he's in Japan). In each item, the context in brackets tells you which meaning you need.

  1. you swim when you were five? — Yes, I could.

  2. I borrow your pen, please? — Of course, here you are. (asking for permission)

  3. I think you see a doctor about that cough. (advice)

  4. You eat so many sweets. They're bad for your teeth. (negative advice)

  5. You use your phone during the exam. It's against the rules. (prohibition)

  6. In my country, children go to school until they are sixteen. It's the law. (obligation)

  7. You wear a uniform at our school, so most students wear jeans. (it isn't necessary)

  8. Sorry, I come to your party on Saturday. I'm working all weekend. (not possible)

  9. Yesterday I get up at 5 a.m. to catch my flight. (it was necessary)

  10. My grandmother speak three languages when she was young, but now she only remembers one. (past ability)

  11. Take an umbrella. It rain later, but I'm not sure. (possibility)

  12. Your sister got 100% in her exam! She be really happy. (I'm sure)

  13. That be Tom at the door. He's on holiday in Japan! (I'm sure it isn't true)

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