Modal verbs, gerunds & infinitives - 5°

We use the following modal verbs to talk about...

• Prohibition.

• DON'T HAVE TO

• External obligation. Its the rule, law.

• CAN / CAN'T

• Personal obligation.

• MUST

• No obligation. You can do it but it is not necessary.

• MUSTN’T

• Ability, permission and possibility.

• HAVE TO

Students _____ talk in class.

• mustn't

• can't

• don't have to

Everyone _____ listen to the teacher.

• must

• can

• has to

In some countries, students _____ wear school uniform.

• don't have to

• doesn't have to

• mustn't

• can't

We _____ understand our new French teacher.

• can't

• mustn't

• don't have to

Listening to music _____ help you study better.

• can

• has to

• must

• have to

Match the following

MODAL VERBS IN THE PAST

• no ability

• COULD - WAS/WERE ABLE TO

• ability

• DIDN'T HAVE TO

• no obligation

• HAD TO

• obligation

• COULDN'T - WASN'T/WEREN'T ABLE TO

Bella help her mum ​ (a)   with the shopping last Friday.

• had to
• was able
• were able

When we were 10, my friends and I ​ (a)   to speak English very well.

• weren't able
• was able
• had to

My sister ​ (a)   play the piano until she was 12.

• couldn't
• had to
• weren't able
• was able