• how to……………

Modal verbs

Modal verbs are special verbs that help us talk about ability, possibility, permission, advice, rules, and necessity.

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• Ability – being able to do something.
• Possibility – something that can happen.
• Permission – being allowed to do something.
• Advice – an idea about what is good to do.
• Rules – things you must or must not do.
• Necessity – something you need to do.

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1. Common modal verbs

Modal	Meaning	Example
can	ability / permission	I can swim. / Can I sit here?
could	past ability / polite request / possibility	I could swim when I was five. / Could you help me?
may	permission / possibility	May I come in? / It may rain.
might	possibility	We might go tomorrow.
must	strong necessity / rule	You must wear a seat belt.
have to	necessity / rule	I have to work today.
should	advice	You should see a doctor.
would	polite request / imagined situation	Would you like some tea?

2. Basic grammar

After a modal verb, use the infinitive without “to”:

• She can speak English. ✅
• She can to speak English. ❌
• You should study more. ✅
• You should to study more. ❌

The modal does not change with he/she/it:

• I can swim.
• She can swim.
• They can swim.

For questions, put the modal before the subject:

• Can you help me?
• Should we leave now?
• Could she come tomorrow?

For negative sentences, add not:

• cannot / can’t
• could not / couldn’t
• should not / shouldn’t
• must not / mustn’t

3. Important differences

Must / have to = something is necessary.

You must show your passport.
I have to work tomorrow.

Should = good advice, but not a strict rule.

You should drink more water.

Mustn’t = it is not allowed.

You mustn’t smoke here.

Don’t have to = it is not necessary.

You don’t have to come early.

These two meanings are very different:

• You mustn’t come. = You are not allowed to come.
• You don’t have to come. = You can come, but it is not necessary.

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Exercise 1 – Choose the correct modal

Choose can, could, should, must, have to, may or might.

1. You ______ wear a seat belt in a car.
2. ______ you open the window, please?
3. My brother ______ swim when he was four.
4. You have a headache. You ______ take a rest.
5. We ______ go out tonight, but we are not sure.
6. ______ I borrow your pen, please?
7. Maria ______ speak English and Spanish.
8. I ______ work tomorrow because it is Sunday.
9. All visitors ______ show their tickets at the entrance.
10. When I was young, I ______ ride a bicycle very well.
11. You ______ bring an umbrella. It looks like rain.
12. ______ I sit here, please?
13. He ______ be at home, but I am not sure.
14. Students ______ wear their school uniform every day.

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Answers:

1. You must wear a seat belt in a car.
2. Could you open the window, please?
3. My brother could swim when he was four.
4. You have a headache. You should take a rest.
5. We might go out tonight, but we are not sure.
6. May I borrow your pen, please?
7. Maria can speak English and Spanish.
8. I don’t have to work tomorrow because it is Sunday.
9. All visitors have to show their tickets at the entrance.
10. When I was young, I could ride a bicycle very well.
11. You should bring an umbrella. It looks like rain.
12. May I sit here, please?
13. He might be at home, but I am not sure.
14. Students have to wear their school uniform every day.

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Exercise 2 – Correct the mistake

1. She can to drive a car.
2. You should to drink more water.
3. He must wears a jacket.
4. Could you to help me?
5. They might goes to the beach tomorrow.
6. We mustn’t to park here.
7. I can speaks English.
8. You have to wears a uniform.
9. She may comes later.
10. He should studies more.
11. Can I to use your phone?
12. We could to take the train.
13. You must to be quiet here.
14. They might stays at home tonight.

Answers

1. She can drive a car.
2. You should drink more water.
3. He must wear a jacket.
4. Could you help me?
5. They might go to the beach tomorrow.
6. We mustn’t park here.
7. I can speak English.
8. You have to wear a uniform.
9. She may come later.
10. He should study more.
11. Can I use your phone?
12. We could take the train.
13. You must be quiet here.
14. They might stay at home tonight.

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Exercise 3 – Mustn’t or don’t have to?

Choose mustn’t or don’t have to.

1. You ______ pay for the entrance. It is free.
2. You ______ touch this machine. It is dangerous.
3. We ______ bring food. The hotel provides breakfast.
4. Guests ______ smoke inside the restaurant.
5. You ______ come tomorrow if you are busy.
6. You ______ use your phone during the exam.
7. We ______ wear formal clothes. The party is informal.
8. Children ______ play near the road. It is dangerous.
9. You ______ bring a towel. The hotel gives you one.
10. Visitors ______ take photos in this room.
11. I ______ cook tonight. We are going to a restaurant.
12. You ______ give your password to anyone.
13. We ______ buy tickets because they are free.
14. You ______ drive so fast. The road is wet.

Answers

1. You don’t have to pay for the entrance. It is free.
2. You mustn’t touch this machine. It is dangerous.
3. We don’t have to bring food. The hotel provides breakfast.
4. Guests mustn’t smoke inside the restaurant.
5. You don’t have to come tomorrow if you are busy.
6. You mustn’t use your phone during the exam.
7. We don’t have to wear formal clothes. The party is informal.
8. Children mustn’t play near the road. It is dangerous.
9. You don’t have to bring a towel. The hotel gives you one.
10. Visitors mustn’t take photos in this room.
11. I don’t have to cook tonight. We are going to a restaurant.
12. You mustn’t give your password to anyone.
13. We don’t have to buy tickets because they are free.
14. You mustn’t drive so fast. The road is wet.

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Fill in:

1. Getting Ready for Work

Anna: What time do we have to leave?
Ben: We _____ leave at seven.
Anna: _____ I have some coffee first?
Ben: Of course, but you _____ be quick.
Anna: I know. I _____ take the bus today.
Ben: You _____ take the train. It is usually faster.

2. Making Plans

Tom: What are you doing this weekend?
Lisa: I’m not sure. I _____ visit my sister.
Tom: _____ you come to the cinema with us?
Lisa: I _____, but I _____ check first.
Tom: No problem. You _____ let me know tomorrow.
Lisa: Thanks. I _____ know by then.

3. At Home

Mum: You _____ clean your room today.
Sam: _____ I do it after lunch?
Mum: Yes, but you _____ forget.
Sam: I won’t. _____ I also invite Daniel tonight?
Mum: Yes, but you _____ finish your homework first.

4. At the Doctor

Doctor: How are you feeling today?
John: I don’t feel very well.
Doctor: You _____ rest for a few days.
John: _____ I go to work tomorrow?
Doctor: You _____, but you _____ feel worse.
John: So I _____ stay at home?
Doctor: Yes. You _____ work when you are sick.

5. Shopping

Customer: _____ I try this jacket on?
Assistant: Of course. You _____ use that changing room.
Customer: _____ I also see it in black?
Assistant: Yes, we _____ have one in black. Let me check.
Customer: Thanks. I _____ buy it.
Assistant: You _____ try both colours before you decide.

6. At a Restaurant

Waiter: Are you ready to order?
Sarah: Almost. _____ I have another minute?
Waiter: Of course. You _____ take your time.
Sarah: What _____ you recommend?
Waiter: You _____ try the chicken. It is very popular.
Sarah: OK. I _____ have that.

7. On the Bus

David: _____ I sit here?
Mark: Sorry, you _____. My friend is sitting there.
David: No problem. _____ you tell me when we get to the station?
Mark: Sure. We _____ arrive in about ten minutes.
David: Thanks. I _____ get off there.

8. At the Hotel

Guest: _____ I have a late check-out?
Receptionist: You _____ stay until 2 p.m.
Guest: That’s great. _____ I pay extra?
Receptionist: No, you _____ pay anything.
Guest: Thank you. _____ I leave my bags here after that?
Receptionist: Yes, you _____ leave them at reception.

9. Helping a Friend

Mike: I have a lot of work today.
Paul: _____ I help you?
Mike: Thanks. You _____ help me with these boxes.
Paul: Sure. Where _____ I put them?
Mike: They _____ go into the storage room.
Paul: OK. We _____ do it together.

10. Going Out

Emma: Shall we go out tonight?
Jack: We _____ go to the new café.
Emma: We _____ have to wait for a table.
Jack: That’s OK. We _____ wait.
Emma: What time _____ we meet?
Jack: We _____ meet at seven.
Emma: Good. You _____ be late!

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Correct version:

1. Getting ready for work

Anna: What time do we have to leave?
Ben: We have to leave at seven.
Anna: Can I have some coffee first?
Ben: Of course, but you should be quick.
Anna: I know. I might take the bus today.
Ben: You could take the train. It is usually faster.

2. Making plans

Tom: What are you doing this weekend?
Lisa: I’m not sure. I might visit my sister.
Tom: Could you come to the cinema with us?
Lisa: I could, but I have to check first.
Tom: No problem. You can let me know tomorrow.
Lisa: Thanks. I should know by then.

3. At home

Mum: You must clean your room today.
Sam: Can I do it after lunch?
Mum: Yes, but you mustn’t forget.
Sam: I won’t. Could I also invite Daniel tonight?
Mum: Yes, but you have to finish your homework first.

4. At the doctor

Doctor: How are you feeling today?
John: I don’t feel very well.
Doctor: You should rest for a few days.
John: Can I go to work tomorrow?
Doctor: You could, but you might feel worse.
John: So I should stay at home?
Doctor: Yes. You don’t have to work when you are sick.

5. Shopping

Customer: Could I try this jacket on?
Assistant: Of course. You can use that changing room.
Customer: May I also see it in black?
Assistant: Yes, we have to have one in black. Let me check.
Customer: Thanks. I might buy it.
Assistant: You should try both colours before you decide.

6. At a restaurant

Waiter: Are you ready to order?
Sarah: Almost. Could I have another minute?
Waiter: Of course. You can take your time.
Sarah: What would you recommend?
Waiter: You could try the chicken. It is very popular.
Sarah: OK. I might have that.

7. On the bus

David: Can I sit here?
Mark: Sorry, you can’t. My friend is sitting there.
David: No problem. Could you tell me when we get to the station?
Mark: Sure. We should arrive in about ten minutes.
David: Thanks. I have to get off there.

8. At the hotel

Guest: Could I have a late check-out?
Receptionist: You can stay until 2 p.m.
Guest: That’s great. Do I have to pay extra?
Receptionist: No, you don’t have to pay anything.
Guest: Thank you. May I leave my bags here after that?
Receptionist: Yes, you can leave them at reception.

9. Helping a friend

Mike: I have a lot of work today.
Paul: Can I help you?
Mike: Thanks. You could help me with these boxes.
Paul: Sure. Where should I put them?
Mike: They have to go into the storage room.
Paul: OK. We can do it together.

10. Going out

Emma: Shall we go out tonight?
Jack: We could go to the new café.
Emma: We might have to wait for a table.
Jack: That’s OK. We can wait.
Emma: What time should we meet?
Jack: We could meet at seven.
Emma: Good. You mustn’t be late!

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Some more:

1. Planning a Day Trip

Nina: What are we going to do on Saturday?
Ali: I’m not sure yet. We _____ go to the lake if the weather is good.
Nina: That sounds nice. _____ we take the bus there?
Ali: Yes, but we _____ leave early because the journey takes two hours.
Nina: What time do you think we _____ leave?
Ali: We _____ leave at seven. Then we _____ arrive before nine.
Nina: OK. _____ I bring some food?
Ali: Of course. You _____ bring some sandwiches. There are also some small restaurants there.
Nina: Good. We _____ also take some water.
Ali: Yes, and we _____ forget our umbrellas. It might rain.
Nina: Right. We _____ check the weather forecast on Friday.

2. Looking After a Neighbour’s Cat

Maria: Hi, David. I’m going away for three days. _____ you look after my cat?
David: Yes, of course. What do I _____ do?
Maria: You _____ give her food twice a day, in the morning and evening.
David: No problem. _____ I give her milk too?
Maria: No, you _____ give her milk. She doesn’t drink it.
David: OK. _____ I play with her?
Maria: Yes, please. You _____ play with her for a few minutes every day.
David: Where _____ I find her food?
Maria: It is in the kitchen. You _____ use the blue bowl.
David: What about water?
Maria: You _____ give her fresh water every day.
David: OK. What if she looks sick?
Maria: You _____ call me immediately. If you can’t reach me, you _____ call the vet.
David: Don’t worry. I _____ take good care of her.

3. Preparing for a Job Interview

James: I have a job interview tomorrow, and I’m nervous.
Sophie: Don’t worry. You _____ prepare well tonight.
James: What do you think I _____ wear?
Sophie: You _____ wear something clean and smart.
James: _____ I wear a suit?
Sophie: Yes, you _____, but you don’t have to. A nice shirt and trousers _____ be enough.
James: What else _____ I do?
Sophie: You _____ read about the company before the interview.
James: Yes, I _____ find some information on their website.
Sophie: Good. You _____ arrive late.
James: Of course not. I _____ leave home early.
Sophie: Exactly. You _____ also think about some questions they might ask you.
James: That’s a good idea. I _____ practise my answers tonight.
Sophie: And remember, you _____ be too worried. Just speak clearly and be yourself.

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Correct answers:

1. Planning a day trip

Nina: What are we going to do on Saturday?
Ali: I’m not sure yet. We might go to the lake if the weather is good.
Nina: That sounds nice. Could we take the bus there?
Ali: Yes, but we have to leave early because the journey takes two hours.
Nina: What time do you think we should leave?
Ali: We could leave at seven. Then we can arrive before nine.
Nina: OK. May I bring some food?
Ali: Of course. You can bring some sandwiches. There are also some small restaurants there.
Nina: Good. We should also take some water.
Ali: Yes, and we mustn’t forget our umbrellas. It might rain.
Nina: Right. We should check the weather forecast on Friday.

2. Looking after a neighbour’s cat

Maria: Hi, David. I’m going away for three days. Could you look after my cat?
David: Yes, of course. What do I have to do?
Maria: You have to give her food twice a day, in the morning and evening.
David: No problem. Can I give her milk too?
Maria: No, you mustn’t give her milk. She doesn’t drink it.
David: OK. Can I play with her?
Maria: Yes, please. You can play with her for a few minutes every day.
David: Where can I find her food?
Maria: It is in the kitchen. You should use the blue bowl.
David: What about water?
Maria: You have to give her fresh water every day.
David: OK. What if she looks sick?
Maria: You must call me immediately. If you can’t reach me, you should call the vet.
David: Don’t worry. I can take good care of her.

3. Preparing for a job interview

James: I have a job interview tomorrow, and I’m nervous.
Sophie: Don’t worry. You should prepare well tonight.
James: What do you think I should wear?
Sophie: You should wear something clean and smart.
James: Could I wear a suit?
Sophie: Yes, you can, but you don’t have to. A nice shirt and trousers should be enough.
James: What else should I do?
Sophie: You should read about the company before the interview.
James: Yes, I can find some information on their website.
Sophie: Good. You mustn’t arrive late.
James: Of course not. I have to leave home early.
Sophie: Exactly. You should also think about some questions they might ask you.
James: That’s a good idea. I can practise my answers tonight.
Sophie: And remember, you shouldn’t be too worried. Just speak clearly and be yourself.

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Remember how babies
learn a language:

Babies learn a language by listening.
They use their ears to hear sounds.
Their brain remembers these sounds.
Babies connect sounds with people and things.
They listen to their parents.
Then they copy the sounds they hear. They imitate words.
Slowly, babies learn to speak.

So,
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN……………

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