Modals Verbs: Can - Cannot - Can't

Can is a modal verb.

Can is used to express ability or to say that something is possible.

Can is the same for all subjects. We don't add an 'S' in the third person (like other verbs)

The verb that comes after Can is in the infinitive without to:

• I can speak Spanish. (= it is possible for me to speak Spanish = I have the ability to speak Spanish)
• He can swim well.
• We can see our neighbour in the garden.
• They can play the guitar.

Negative

To form the negative we add "not" after can to form one word: cannot.

We can also contract the negative to form can't. (can't = cannot)

• I cannot play the piano. We can't go to the cinema tonight.
• She cannot speak French very well. He can't drive a car.

Questions

To from the question we change the position of the subject and the auxiliary verb.

The main verb is still in the infinitive without to.

• Where can I buy an ice-cream?
• Can I go to the party, please?
• Can you speak Japanese?
• What can we do on Saturday?

Remember that you can use short answers:

• Can I sit here please? Yes, you can.
• Can you speak Chinese? No, I can't.

Impersonal Can

Sometimes You can and Can you…? are impersonal and refer to people in general.

• You can see many stars at night from here. (= people in general can see many stars)

It doesn't necessarily refer to you but people in general.

• You can't run naked in the middle of the street.

Not necessarily saying YOU can't run naked in the middle of the street but in general it is not possible for anyone.

Modals: Will / Would Explanation and Exercises

Modals: Will / Would

will / won’t + base form of the verb

1.    John will pick you up at 7:00am.

2.    Beth won’t be happy with the results of the exam.

Polite Request or Statement

Will / Would + base form of the verb

1.    Will you please take the trash out?

2.    Would you mind if I sat here?

3.    I’d (I would) like to sign up for your workshop.

Habitual Past Action

Would/Wouldn’t + base form of the verb

1.    When I was a child, I would spend hours playing with my train set.

2.    Peter wouldn’t eat broccoli when he was a kid. He loves it now.

Exercises: will, would

Fill in the blanks with one of the following words: will, won’t, would, wouldn’t.

1.    Will you please help me lift this box?

1.    I ______ like to order the onion soup please.

2.    The manager _______ be pleased to hear that a customer slipped on the wet floor.

3.    _______ it be okay if I slept here tonight?

4.    When Igor lived in Russia, he ________ call his mother as often as he does now.

5.    I can assure you sir, the order ______ be shipped out tonight.

Answers:

1.    would

2.    won’t

3.    would

4.    wouldn’t

5.    will

Exercises – All Modals

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the following modals:
can, could, be able to, may, might, shall, should, must, have to, don’t have to, need to
- You may have to make the modals negative according to the context of the sentence.
- There may be more than one possibility.

1.    He has to take his car to be serviced. The brakes are squeaking.

2.    Would you please save me a seat at the dinner event.

1.    If you are sick, you ________ go to work. You’ll infect everyone there.

2.    Drivers _______ stop at red lights.

3.    You _______ finish the proposal today. You can finish it tomorrow.

4.    She ______ hear much better with her new hearing aids.

5.    ______ I order us a bottle of wine?

6.    Sam ______ pick his daughter up from school. She’s taking the bus home.

7.    You _____________ smoke here. It’s a smoke-free building.

8.    You ________ eat so many sweets. They are bad for you.

9.    _________ you mind walking a little faster? We’re going to be late.

10.  I’m sorry. I _______ help you. I don’t know how to do it.

Answers:

1.    shouldn’t

2.    must

3.    don’t have to

4.    can

5.    shall

6.    needn’t

7.    mustn’t

8.    shouldn’t

9.    would

10.  can’t

Modals: Must, Have to, Need to, Don’t have to, Needn’t

Necessity or Requirement

Present and Future:

must / have to / need to + base form of the verb

1.    You must have a passport to cross the border.

2.    Elisabeth has to apply for her visa by March 10th.

3.    I need to drop by his room to pick up a book.

Past:

had to / needed to + base form of the verb

1.    I had to work late last night.

2.    I needed to drink a few cups of coffee in order to stay awake.

Note: have to and need to are often used in the same context, but many times, need to is used to express something that is less urgent, something in which you have a choice.

Almost 100% Certain

must + base form of the verb

1.    Thomas has lived in Paris for years. His French must be very good.

To Persuade

must / have to + base form of the verb

1.    You must try this wine. It’s excellent.

2.    You have to visit us while you’re in town.

Prohibited or Forbidden

must not / mustn’t + base form of the verb

1.    You must not drive over the speed limit.

2.    You mustn’t leave medicines where children can get to them.

Lack of Necessity

don’t /doesn’t /didn’t + have to + base form of the verb

1.    You don’t have to park the car. The hotel valet will do it for you.

2.    Tim doesn’t have to go to school today. It’s a holiday.

3.    You didn’t have to shout. Everyone could hear you.

needn’t + base form of the verb

1.    You needn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.

Exercises: Must, Have to, Need to, Don’t Have to, Needn’t

Fill in the blanks with one of these modals:
must, must not, have to, has to, don’t have to, doesn’t have to, needn’t as in the examples.
There may be more than one correct answer.

1.    Shira doesn’t have to drive to the airport. She’s going by taxi.

2.    You must speak politely to the customers.

1.    You ______ tell Anna about the party tomorrow night. It’s a surprise! (must not, need to, doesn’t have to)

2.    Tina _______ register for her classes on Monday, otherwise she won’t get a place in them. (doesn’t have to, mustn’t, has to)

3.    You ________ send that fax. I’ve already sent it. (must, will have to, don’t have to)

4.    A dog ______ get special training in order to be a guide dog. (must, need to, don’t have to)

5.    Jeremy _______ get up early tomorrow. His class was cancelled. (mustn’t, doesn’t have to, don’t need to)

Answers:

1.    must not

2.    has to

3.    don’t have to

4.    must

5.    doesn’t have to

Modal Verbs - Should, Shouldn’t, Ought To Explanations and Exercises

Shall, Should, Ought to

To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion (When you are quite sure of a positive answer)

Shall + subject + base form of the verb

1.    Shall we go for a walk?

Note: Shall is only used with I or we. It is used instead of will only in formal English.

To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion (When you are not sure of a positive answer)

Should + subject + base form of the verb

1.    Should I call a doctor?

A Prediction or Expectation that Something Will Happen

should/shouldn’t + base form of the verb

1.    The proposal should be finished on time.

2.    I shouldn’t be late. The train usually arrives on time.

To Give Advice

should / ought to + base form of the verb

1.    You should check that document before you send it out.

2.    You ought to have your mobile phone serviced before the holiday.

To Give Advice (about something you think wrong or unacceptable)

shouldn’t + base form of the verb

1.    James shouldn’t teach him words like those.

Exercises: Should, Shouldn’t, Ought To

Fill in should, shouldn’t or ought in the following sentences as in the example.

1.    He shouldn’t encourage such bad behavior.

1.    You _____ get your teeth cleaned at least once a year.

2.    The house ______ be ready to move into by next month. It’s almost finished.

3.    Ron ________ to improve his attitude. If he doesn’t, he might get fired.

4.    ________ I get your jacket? It’s cold in here.

5.    You ________ put your feet on the table. It’s not polite.

Answers:

1.    should

2.    should

3.    ought

4.    shall

5.    shouldn’t