XIII - EXERCISES Modal verbs III

Related links:

Modal verbs

Exercise one:

Modals of advice: Should, Ought to
Conditional of advice: Had better

1- It's raining and I don't want to get my dress wet. I _________________ an umbrella.

a.       had better to bring

b.      had better not bring

c.       had better bring

2- Dave loves chocolate, but he _________________ too much or he will get fat.

a.       shouldn't eat

b.      should eat

c.       should eat not

3- A: I'm so hot.
B: You _________________ your coat!

a.       should to take off

b.      should take off

c.       should put on

4- I need help, doctor. My baby doesn't sleep well. What ________________ ?

a.       had I better do

b.      should I do

c.       I should do

5- A: I think that the grade my teacher gave me on my test is wrong.
B: Really? You ______________ to her after class today.

a.       ought talk

b.      ought to talk

c.       should to talk

6- I'm going to visit your country. Where _______________ if I want to go shopping?

a.       ought to I go

b.      should I go

c.       I should go

7- My mother isn't feeling well, so I told her that she _______________ to the doctor.

a.       ought

b.      ought go

c.       ought to go

8- The airline only allows two pieces of luggage. You _________________ pack too much or you will have to take it out at the airport!

a.       had better not

b.      better not

c.       had not better

Exercise two:

Modals of advice: Should, Ought to, 
Conditional of advice: Had better

1. My teacher told me that I…………………………… review my notes every day. I guess it's a good idea to look at them after class.
2. Do you think Carol…………………………… save her money or spend it? She is planning to go to Europe this summer.
3. I'm going to a party tonight. What…………………………… I wear: a dress or black pants?
4. Our car's gas tank is almost empty. We…………………………… fill it up with gas soon or we will run out of gas!
5. If you are worried about getting fat, you…………………………… eat at McDonald's every day. You…………………………… eat healthy, low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables.
6. It's really raining outside right now. I…………………………… forget my umbrella or I'll get wet!
7. Where…………………………… we have lunch today: at home or in a restaurant?
8. My doctor feels that I…………………………… exercise more because I'm out of shape and want to lose weight. I think he's right.

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Exercise one:

1- It's raining and I don't want to get my dress wet. I _________________ an umbrella.

a.         had better to bring

b.        had better not bring

c.         had better bring

2- Dave loves chocolate, but he _________________ too much or he will get fat.

a.         shouldn't eat

b.        should eat

c.         should eat not

3- A: I'm so hot.
B: You _________________ your coat!

a.         should to take off

b.        should take off

c.         should put on

4- I need help, doctor. My baby doesn't sleep well. What ________________ ?

a.         had I better do

b.        should I do

c.         I should do

5- A: I think that the grade my teacher gave me on my test is wrong.
B: Really? You ______________ to her after class today.

a.         ought talk

b.        ought to talk

c.         should to talk

6- I'm going to visit your country. Where _______________ if I want to go shopping?

a.         ought to I go

b.        should I go

c.         I should go

7- My mother isn't feeling well, so I told her that she _______________ to the doctor.

a.         ought

b.        ought go

c.         ought to go

8- The airline only allows two pieces of luggage. You _________________ pack too much or you will have to take it out at the airport!

a.         had better not

b.        better not

c.         had not better

Exercise two:

1. My teacher told me that I ought to review my notes every day. I guess it's a good idea to look at them after class.
2. Do you think Carol should save her money or spend it? She is planning to go to Europe this summer.
3. I'm going to a party tonight. What should I wear: a dress or black pants?
4. Our car's gas tank is almost empty. We had better fill it up with gas soon or we will run out of gas!
5. If you are worried about getting fat, you shouldn't eat at McDonald's every day. You should eat healthy, low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables.
6. It's really raining outside right now. I had better not forget my umbrella or I'll get wet!
7. Where should we have lunch today: at home or in a restaurant?
8. My doctor feels that I ought to exercise more because I'm out of shape and want to lose weight. I think he's right.

XII - EXERCISES Modal verbs II

Related links:

Modal verbs


Exercise one:

Modals of ability: Can, Could, May, Might
Conditional of ability: Be able to

1. My cat ____________ jump, but it ____________ talk.

1. can't / can 
2. can / can't 

2. George is absent from class today. He ____________ be sick.

1. is able to 
2. could 
3. can 

3. When Vera was young, she ____________ type quickly. She took a typing class and now she ____________ type very quickly!

1. could not / can 
2. can / could 
3. could not / can to 

4. Sara ____________ Italian food and she ____________ French food too!

1. can cooks / can cooks 
2. can cooking / can cooking 
3. can cook / is able to cook 

5. Peter ____________ swim when he was a child, but now he ____________. In fact, he swims every day!

1. couldn't / can't 
2. could / can't 
3. couldn't / can 

6. The little girl asked, "Mommy, ____________ I have a cookie?" The mother said, "Yes, you ____________."

1. may / might 
2. can / can 
3. can / are able to 

7. She ____________ understand Korean very well, but she ____________ speak it perfectly.

1. be able to / cannot 
2. is able to / cannot 
3. is able to / is able to 

8. ____________ you play the piano when you were a child?

1. Can 
2. Could 
3. May 

9. Kevin was disappointed because he ____________ get tickets for the football game.

1. weren't able to 
2. wasn't able to 

10. ____________ I borrow your dictionary?

1. Am I able to 
2. May 
3. Might 

11. ____________ dogs fly? No, of course not!

1. Can 
2. May 
3. Do can 

12. I'm going to bring an umbrella today because it ____________ rain.

1. can 
2. is able to 
3. might 

13. The family can't decide where to go on vacation. They ____________ go to Los Angeles or they ____________ go to Hawaii.

1. could / couldn't 
2. may / are able to 
3. might / may 

Exercise two:

Modals of Ability: Can, Could, May, Might
Conditional of ability: Be able to

Use a negative form when necessary.

1…………………………… I borrow your pencil? Thanks!
2. James and Sara are sad because they…………………………… go to their brother's wedding. They are too sick.
3. The students…………………………… understand the instructions for the test yesterday, so many of them failed.
4. A: We have a big problem. What…………………………… we do? B: I don't know. Maybe we…………………………… ask our boss for help.
5. When Tina was a child, she…………………………… speak three languages: French, Arabic and English. She rarely practiced French, so she…………………………… speak it anymore.
6. I'm sorry. I…………………………… hear you. Please speak more loudly.
7. My little brother…………………………… play piano and guitar.
8. Excuse me. …………………………… I ask you a question?
9. A: What are you going to do on the weekend? B: I'm not sure yet. We…………………………… go to a movie or we…………………………… stay home and relax.
10. I…………………………… go to school tomorrow because I'm feeling sick right now. I'm not sure.

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Exercise one:

1. My cat ____________ jump, but it ____________ talk.

1. can't / can 
2. can / can't 

2. George is absent from class today. He ____________ be sick.

1. is able to 
2. could 
3. can 

3. When Vera was young, she ____________ type quickly. She took a typing class and now she ____________ type very quickly!

1. could not / can 
2. can / could 
3. could not / can to 

4. Sara ____________ Italian food and she ____________ French food too!

1. can cooks / can cooks 
2. can cooking / can cooking 
3. can cook / is able to cook 

5. Peter ____________ swim when he was a child, but now he ____________. In fact, he swims every day!

1. couldn't / can't 
2. could / can't 
3. couldn't / can 

6. The little girl asked, "Mommy, ____________ I have a cookie?" The mother said, "Yes, you ____________."

1. may / might 
2. can / can 
3. can / are able to 

7. She ____________ understand Korean very well, but she ____________ speak it perfectly.

1. be able to / cannot 
2. is able to / cannot 
3. is able to / is able to 

8. ____________ you play the piano when you were a child?

1. Can 
2. Could 
3. May 

9. Kevin was disappointed because he ____________ get tickets for the football game.

1. weren't able to 
2. wasn't able to 

10. ____________ I borrow your dictionary?

1. Am I able to 
2. May 
3. Might 

11. ____________ dogs fly? No, of course not!

1. Can 
2. May 
3. Do can 

12. I'm going to bring an umbrella today because it ____________ rain.

1. can 
2. is able to 
3. might 

13. The family can't decide where to go on vacation. They ____________ go to Los Angeles or they ____________ go to Hawaii.

1. could / couldn't 
2. may / are able to 
3. might / may 

Exercise two:

1. May I borrow your pencil? Thanks!
2. James and Sara are so sad because they aren't able to go to their brother's wedding. They were too sick.
3. The students couldn't understand the instructions for the test yesterday, so many of them failed.
4. A: We have a big problem. What can we do? B: I don't know. Maybe we can ask our boss for help.
5. When Tina was a child, she could speak three languages: French, Arabic and English. She rarely practiced French, so she can't speak it anymore.
6. I'm sorry. I can't hear you. Please speak more loudly.
7. My little brother is able to play piano and guitar.
8. Excuse me. Could I ask you a question?
9. A:What are you going to do on the weekend? B: I'm not sure yet. We might go to a movie or we may stay home and relax.
10. I might not go to school tomorrow because I'm feeling sick right now. I'm not sure.

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I'm Claire McCaskill and I approve this message.

XIV - GRAMMAR Modal verbs

MODAL VERBS

All the auxiliary verbs except be, do and have are called modals. Unlike other auxiliary verbs modals only exist in their helping form; they cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence.

Be, do, and have also differ from the other auxiliaries in that they can also serve as ordinary verbs in a given sentence.

The modal verbs are:-

CAN / COULD / MAY / MIGHT / MUST / SHALL / SHOULD / OUGHT TO / WILL / WOULD 

Modal	Example	Uses
Can	They can control their own budgets. We can’t fix it. Can I smoke here? Can you help me?	Ability / Possibility Inability / Impossibility Asking for permission Request
Could	Could I borrow your dictionary? Could you say it again more slowly? We could try to fix it ourselves. I think we could have another Gulf War. He gave up his old job so he could work for us.	Asking for permission. Request Suggestion Future possibility Ability in the past
May	May I have another cup of coffee? China may become a major economic power.	Asking for permission Future possibility
Might	We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now. They might give us a 10% discount.	Present possibility Future possibility
Must	We must say good-bye now. They mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary.	Necessity / Obligation Prohibition
Ought to	We ought to employ a professional writer.	Saying what’s right or correct
Shall (More common in the UK than the US)	Shall I help you with your luggage? Shall we say 2.30 then? Shall I do that or will you?	Offer Suggestion Asking what to do
Should	We should sort out this problem at once. I think we should check everything again. Profits should increase next year.	Saying what’s right or correct Recommending action Uncertain prediction
Will	I can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk. I'll do that for you if you like. I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday. Profits will increase next year.	Instant decisions Offer Promise Certain prediction
Would	Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me? Would you pass the salt please? Would you mind waiting a moment? "Would three o`clock suit you?" - "That’d be fine." Would you like to play golf this Friday? "Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I’d like tea please."	Asking for permission Request Request Making arrangements Invitation Preferences

!Note The modal auxiliary verbs are always followed by the base form.

The verb used to, which is explained here, can also be used like a modal verb.

XI - EXERCISES Modal verbs I

Related links:

Modal verbs 

Choose the right modal verb:

1.    It's a hospital. You mustn't needn't may not don't have to  smoke.

2.    He had been working for more than 11 hours. He   must need had better mustn't  be tired after such hard work. He may should must had better  prefer to get some rest.

3.    I could might can must  speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we lived in Morocco. But after we moved back to Canada, I had very little exposure to the language and forgot almost everything I knew as a child. Now, I may can must need  just say a few things in the language.

4.    The teacher said we   can needn't must should  read this book for our own pleasure as it is optional. But we could need needn't mustn't  read it if we don't want to.

5.     May Need Must Can  you stand on your head for more than a minute? No, I  may not needn't can't  .

6.    Take an umbrella. It need should mustn't might  rain later.

7.    You shouldn't need needn't may not  leave small objects lying around . Such objects must need may mustn't  be swallowed by children.

8.    People couldn't needn't mustn't may not  walk on grass.

9.    Drivers could must may  stop when the traffic lights are red.

10. May Must Should Will  I ask a question? Yes, of course.

11. Can Need Should May  you speak Italian? No, I shouldn't mustn't may not can't  .

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1.    It's a hospital. You mustn't smoke.

2.    He had been working for more than 11 hours. He must be tired after such hard work. He may prefer to get some rest.

3.    I could speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we lived in Morocco. But after we moved back to Canada, I had very little exposure to the language and forgot almost everything I knew as a child. Now, I can just say a few things in the language.

4.    The teacher said we can read this book for our own pleasure as it is optional. But we musn't read it if we don't want to.

5.    Can you stand on your head for more than a minute? No, I can't.

6.    Take an umbrella. It might rain later.

7.    You shouldn't leave small objects lying around. Such objects may be swallowed by children.

8.    People mustn't walk on grass.

9.    Drivers must stop when the traffic lights are red.

10. May I ask a question? Yes, of course.

11. Can you speak Italian? No, I can't.

X - EXERCISES Will & Be going to II

Related links:

Grammar - The future

COMPLETE THE GAPS USING WILL OR BE GOING TO

1. A: I've got a terrible headache.
B: Do you? Wait here and I …………………………………… (get) you some aspirin.

2. A: Why are you filling that bucket with water?
B: I …………………………………… (wash) the car.

3. A: I've decided to repaint this room.
B: Oh, you have? What color …………………………………… (you/paint) it?

4. A: Look! There's smoke coming out of that house. It's on fire!
B: Oh no! I …………………………………… (call) the fire department right away.

5. A: The ceiling in this room doesn't look very safe, does it?
B: No, it looks as if it …………………………………… (fall) down.

6. A: Where are you going? Are you going shopping?
B: Yes, I …………………………………… (buy) something for dinner.

7. A: I can't figure out how to use this camera.
B: It's easy. I …………………………………… (show) you.

8. A: What would you like to have: coffee or tea?
B: I …………………………………… (have) coffee, please.

9. A: Has George decided what to do when he finishes school?
B: Oh yes. Everything is settled. He …………………………………… (take) a vacation for a few weeks, and then he …………………………………… (start) a computer programming course.

10. A: Did you mail that letter for me?
B: Oh, I'm sorry. I completely forgot. I …………………………………… (do) it now.

11. A: What shall we have for dinner?
B: I don't know. I can't make up my mind.
A: Come on, hurry up! Make a decision!
B: Okay. We …………………………………… (have) chicken.

12. JESS: We need some bread for lunch.
DANY: Oh, we do? I …………………………………… (go) to the store and get some. I feel like taking a walk.
Before he goes out, Dany talks to Jane:
DANY: I …………………………………… (get) some bread. Do you want anything from the store?
JANE: Yes, I need some envelopes.
DANY: Okay, I …………………………………… (get) you some.

13. John has to go to the airport to catch a plane. He doesn't have a car:
JOHN: Toshi, can you take me to the airport tonight?
TOSHI: Of course I …………………………………… (take) you. I'd be happy to.
Later that day Eric offers to take John to the airport:
ERIC: John, do you want me to take you to the airport?
JOHN: No thanks, Eric. Toshi …………………………………… (take) me.

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1. I'll get
2. I'm going to wash
3. are you going to paint
4. I'll call
5. it is going to fall
6. I'm going to buy
7. I'll show
8. I'll have
9. he is going to take ... he is going to start
10. I'll do
11. we'll have
12. I'll go ... I'm going to get ... I'll get
13. I'll take ... Toshi is going to take

XIX - EXERCISES Will & Be going to III

Related links:

Grammar - The future

COMPLETE USING WILL OR BE GOING TO

1 Sally: There's no milk left!

Betty: Oh. I _______________ some from the shop. (get)

2 The population of Valencia _______________ 2 million by the year 2010. (reach)

3 Mum: I told you to tidy up your room.

Son: Sorry, Mum, I forgot. I _______________ it after lunch.(do)

4 Sally: Why don't we meet for coffee on Friday morning?

Willy: Sorry. I can't. I _______________ the doctor then. (see)

5 "Tomorrow _______________ a bright and sunny day everywhere in Spain, except in Vigo," said the weatherwoman. (be)

6 Look at that big black cloud. I think it _______________ . (rain)

7 Sally: What are your plans for the week-end?

Betty: Brad Pitt phoned. We _______________ on a picnic. (go)

8 Betty: Have you booked the flights yet?

Sally: Don't worry. It's all organized. I _______________ to the travel agent's tomorrow morning. (go)

9 In the future people _______________ bigger heads. (have)

10 If we miss the bus, we _______________ a taxi. (take)

11 Next month I _______________ a DVD player. (buy)

12 When _______________ you _______________ another party? (have)

13 I've got to go to the dentist this morning. _______________ you _______________ with me? (come)

14 Oh no! I think I _______________ . (sneeze)

15 Fanny: I can't open this jar.

Leslie: Give it to me. I _______________ it. (do)

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1 Sally: There's no milk left!

Betty: Oh. I 'll get some from the shop. Instantaneous decision

2 The population of Valencia will reach 2 million by the year 2010. Prediction

3 Mum: I told you to tidy up your room.

Son: Sorry, Mum, I forgot. I'll do it after lunch. Instantaneous decision

4 I'm going to see the doctor on Friday morning. Plan

5 "Tomorrow will be a bright and sunny day everywhere in Spain, except in Vigo," said the weatherwoman. Prediction

6 Look at that big black cloud. I think it's going to rain. Visual evidence

7 Sally: What are your plans for the week-end?

Betty: Brad Pitt phoned. We're going on a picnic. Plan

8 Betty: Have you booked the flights yet?

Sally: Don't worry. It's all organized. I'm going to (go to) the travel agent's tomorrow morning. Plan

9 In the future people will have bigger heads. Prediction

10 If we miss the bus, we'll take a taxi. Instantaneous decision

11 Next month I'm going to buy a DVD player. Plan

12 When are you going to have another party? Plan

13 I've got to go to the dentist this morning. Will you come with me? Instantaneous decision

14 Oh no! I think I'm going to sneeze. Evidence that something is going to happen

15 Fanny: I can't open this jar.

Leslie: Give it to me. I'll do it. Instantaneous decision

VIII - EXERCISES Will & Be going to I

Related links:

Grammar - The future

EXERCISES WITH WILL AND BE GOING BE

Put in the verbs in brackets into the gap. Use will-future or going to-future.

Example: I hope, that the sun ________ tomorrow. (to shine)

Answer: I hope, that the sun will shine tomorrow.

1) Philipp ………………………………. 15 next Wednesday. (to be)

2) They ………………………………. a new computer. (to get)

3) I think, my mother ………………………………. this CD. (to like)

4) Paul's sister ………………………………. a baby. (to have)

5) They ………………………………. at about 4 in the afternoon. (to arrive)

6) Just a moment. I ………………………………. you with the bags. (to help)

7) In 2020 people ………………………………. more hybrid cars. (to buy)

8) Marvin ………………………………. a party next week. (to throw)

9) We ………………………………. to Venice in June. (to fly)

10) Look at the clouds! It ………………………………. soon. (to rain)

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1) Philipp will be 15 next Wednesday.

2) They are going to get a new computer.

3) I think, my mother will like this CD.

4) Paul's sister is going to have a baby.

5) They will arrive at about 4 in the afternoon.

6) Just a moment. I will help you with the bags.

7) In 2020 people will buy more hybrid cars.

8) Marvin is going to throw a party next week.

9) We will fly to Venice in June.

10) Look at the clouds! It is going to rain soon.

VII - EXERCISES Family crossword

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1.      My grandmother's husband

2.      My daughter's brother

3.      My son's sister

4.      My mother's brother

5.      My mother's sister

6.      My father's wife

7.      My mother's husband

8.      My father's son

9.      My mother's daughter

10.  My grandfather's wife

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