Modal Verbs - Review

Welcome to Jenson Industries. Mr. Jenson is currently taking a phone call, but you __________ wait for him here.

• can

• could

• may

• ought

Excuse me, I’m doing a survey about life in the city. __________ I ask you a couple of quick questions?

• Can

• May

• Could

• Must

Answer explanation

Can expresses an INFORMAL persmission. MAY and COULD are more formal. Must express obligation.

I don’t know where I will spend the holidays. If I decide to travel home, we ____________________ see each other at the end of December.

• can

• can't

• have to

• don't have to

No, I ____________________ play any musical instruments.

• can't

• couldn't

• shouldn't

• mustn't

The rules say that each student __________ turn in a final project in order to pass the course.

• should

• must

• ought to

• can

I think you __________ stay up so late at night. It makes it so hard to get up early in the morning for work!

• shouldn't

• ought not to

• don't have to

• ought to not

Sylvia isn’t sure what she’ll do this weekend. She __________ go out to dance with friends.

• may

• might

• must

• should

You know, I haven’t seen Eric all week! I guess he __________ be sick, or maybe he is on vacation.

• might

• may

• must

• has to

Answer explanation

Must and Have t (Has to) express obligation.

True or False?

The most polite modal verb to ask for permission is "may‟.

• True

• False

True or False?

We use "to‟ between a modal verb and another verb.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

We only use TO after 'ought' and 'have/has'. Sometimes these words are called 'semi' modals.