ELSAC Workout: Grammar 4, Modal Auxiliary Verbs

ELSAC Workout: Grammar 4, Modal Auxiliary Verbs
(EN/A/0713.002)
Get Grammar Fit!

consider the meaning and use of modal auxiliary verbs
practise using modal auxiliary verbs

Level: Foundation
Time: approx. 20 mins
Suggested next workout: Grammar 5, Countability of Nouns

For more support: https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs.html

For extra practice: https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs-exercises.html

Work through the practice activities in order, by clicking on the tabs at the top of the next page. After completing all practices, the Result tab will summarize your workout. Record your results as proof of independent learning and as motivation to repeat the workout and beat your score. Practice makes you fitter!

Material developed by Hebe Wong, Alison Wood.

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Stretch usage

Energize practice

*** All ELSAC Workouts ***

1. He can play the guitar really well.

2. Excuse me, may I smoke here?

3. Shall I help with the washing up?

4. Would you ask Nic to phone me please?

5. Every morning he would get up at six and go jogging.

6. He should have seen the doctor.

7. You mustn't smoke on the MTR.

8. I'm sorry but you have to wait three days for a visa.

9. I don't have to stay late at work today.

10. I might not go to the cinema tonight.

g. possibility

11. That could be John on the phone now.

12. They must be on their way over, there's no answer on their phone.

13. I will pay you back tomorrow.

14. I think it will rain tomorrow.

a. asking permission formally

b. giving advice

c. past habit

d. ability

e. possibility

f. polite request

h. making an offer

i. certainty

j. promise

k. prohibition

l. obligation

m. prediction

n. lack of obligation

1. Some modal verbs have more than one function.
	True	False
2. Some functions can be expressed by more than one modal verb.
	True	False
3. In a statement, modal verbs are followed by a main verb with 'to'.
	True	False
4. In a question, most modal verbs do not need to add 'do'.
	True	False
5. In a negative statement, the 'not' is usually added to the modal verb.
	True	False
6. Modal verbs add an 's' on the end of third person singular in present tense (like 'He walks').
	True	False
7. Modal verbs add 'ed' in the simple past tense, like regular main verbs ('She walked.').
	True	False

Summary of the grammar and meanings of modal auxiliary verbs

The main rules for using modals are:

no third person 's' - e.g He can sing. NOT He cans sings.
to form the negative, add 'not' or 'n't' - e.g He mustn't smoke here.
the negative of 'have to' is 'don't have to'
to form a question invert the modal and the subject - e.g Shall I go?
modals are always followed by an infinitive verb without "to" e.g He can go. NOT He can to go.
be careful with past forms of modals. Generally they use the present perfect simple: 'I should have done it.'
But there are exceptions: the past form of 'must' for obligation is 'had to'.

Modal	Concepts	Example Sentence
MUST	obligation deduction/certainty prohibition (negative obligation)	I must leave right now. He must be stuck in traffic. You must not do that again.
HAVE TO DON'T HAVE TO	obligation no obligation	You have to get a visa for China. He doesn't have to go.
SHOULD OUGHT TO	advice advice	You should take an aspirin. She ought to see the dentist.
CAN	permission ability requests	You can go now. He can swim. Can I have some apples please?
CAN'T	deduction / certainty	He can't be telling the truth.
COULD	permission ability possibility / deduction requests	You could try it, if you like. He could swim when he was 4. That could be him calling now. Could I have a steak please?
SHALL	offer request (for advice)	Shall I carry that for you? What shall I do?
WILL	prediction request (willingness) promising	He'll be rich one day. Will you look after it, please? I'll buy you a new one tomorrow.
WOULD	request (more polite) past habits	Would you help me please? He would often do that as a child.
MAY	permission possibility / uncertainty	You may leave early. He may have left already.
MIGHT	possibility / uncertainty	They might not be at home.

Note: - different modals can be used for the same concept - e.g. you can make requests using can, could, shall, will or would.

- the negative modal "can't" is used to talk about something you are certain or have deduced has not happened
- e.g." He can't have done it, he wasn't here." Notice that we do not use "can" for talking about deduction or certainty, just the negative "can't".

Student: The MTR is the most efficient way to travel around Hong Kong. It's cheap, too!
Alien: OK. How do I use the MTR?
Student: First you ⁽¹⁾ buy a ticket from the machine. ⁽²⁾ you read?
Alien: Yes, of course.
Student: So, just follow the instructions.
Alien: Do I ⁽³⁾ use coins, or notes?
Student: You can ⁽⁴⁾ either coins or notes.
Alien: What ⁽⁵⁾ do if it doesn't work?
Student: Oh, just go to the Customer Service counter. The staff there ⁽⁶⁾ help you. Then, use the ticket to go through the ticket barrier.
Alien: OK. When ⁽⁷⁾ arrive?
Student: Very quickly. It ⁽⁸⁾ take two or three minutes, but definitely less than five minutes.
Alien: OK. Are there seats on the train?
Student: Yes, of course. But if someone who needs a set more than you gets on, you ⁽⁹⁾ give that person your seat.
Alien: OK. Is there a restaurant on the train? I'm very hungry.
Student: No. The journeys are very short. In fact, you ⁽¹⁰⁾ eat on MTR trains, or in the stations. Smoking is not allowed, either.
Alien: Smoking? What is smoking? ⁽¹¹⁾ show me how to do it?
Student: Smoking is very bad for your health. It ⁽¹²⁾ even kill you. I don't want to show you. ⁽¹³⁾ I show you some yoga instead? It's healthier.
Alien: OK. ⁽¹⁴⁾ do yoga on the MTR train?
Student: Well......

Date:

Activity	Correct	Maximum	Percentage
Practice 1	0		0%
Practice 2	0		0%
Practice 3	0		0%
Total Score	0		0%

Time Taken:

1. Warm up for the workout

2. Stretch your muscles

3. Test your stamina

Final Result of Grammar 4