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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #4396: Which modal and when ?





    > Other English exercises on the same topic: Modals [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Modal: may/might - Placement test 1 - Modal can (video) - Modal verb : must / have to - Modal : can/could - Must / Have to - Modal verbs - Modal verbs
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    Which modal and when ?




     I) Abilities

     

    You can also use: 'be able to'.

     

    =>CAN:

     

    =>CANNOT// CAN'T

     

    =>COULD (in the past)

     

    => COULD (hypothesis)

     

    => hypothesis in the past

    COULD + HAVE + past participle

     

    She can swim.


    I can't / cannot speak Spanish.


     

    He could run 15 kilometres.


    You could succeed if you worked harder.

     

    Your children could have helped you.


     

     

    II) Being allowed to do something:

     


     

    CAN:

     

     

     

    MAY:

     

     

    CANNOT/ MAY NOT/ MUSTN'T:

     

     

    TO BE ALLOWED TO:


     

     

    Can I borrow your pen?


     

     

    May I borrow your pen?



     

    You cannot// mustn't walk on the grass.



     

     
    You will be allowed to use your copybook to take your test.

     

     

    III) Certainty:

     

     

     

    MUST:

     

    => present simple :

     

    => present continuous:

     

     

    => in the past:

     

     

     

    You must be tired.


     

    He must be sleeping.


     

    She must have been very upset.

     

     

     

    IV) I'm also sure it is not true:

     


     

    CAN’T

     

     

    COULDN’T

     

     

     

     

    It can't be true!


     

    He couldn't have missed his train.


     

     

     

    V) It can happen (50% / 50%) :

     

     

    MAY/ MIGHT

     

    => present 

     

     

    => present be+ing

     

     

    => in the past

     

    COULD

     

     

     

    He may be in his room.

     


    She may be working.


     

    They might have met this morning.


     

     

    VI) Obligations:

     

     

    - MUST


     

    - HAVE TO

     

    =>after a modal  

     

    =>with several tenses

     

    I must do my homework!

       

     I have to stop smoking my doctor said.

     

     

    I have to work or I might be late.


     

    You will have to work.

     

    I had to lie down.

    I've had to lie down. 

     

     

     

    VII) Advice:

      

     

    SHOULD


     

     

     You should do your homework.



    You should have phoned her.

     

     

     

    VIII) Conditional:

     

     

    WOULD

     

    => conditional

     

     

    => past conditional

     

     

     

    => with an if-clause:

     

     

    => being polite

     

     



    You would be pleased to meet him.


     

    You would have been pleased to meet him.


     

     

    If I were you, I would go to sleep.


     


    Would you like some tea?


     

     

     

    IX) Other modals:

     

     

    NEED


     




     

    SHALL


     

     

    You needn't say that!!  


     

    He needn't have told me!!


     

     

    Shall we go to the cinema?


     

    You shall not be rude!


     



    Use the correct modal.



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    English exercise "Which modal and when ?" created by bridg with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from bridg]
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    1. When he was young he run for a long time.

    2. It is hot here, I open the window please?

    3. I have a day off, we go to the theatre?

    4. You were tired yesterday. She helped you.

    5. Glad to see you, you like a cup of tea?

    6. I wonder where he is, he be in the kitchen.

    7. I know I am wrong! You say that again.

    8. She is late, she still be working.

    9. Sorry to disturb you but I come in?










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