Modals exercise

Level: beginner The modal verbs are: can may must shall will could might should would We use modals to show if we believe something is My keys must be in the car. It might rain tomorrow. That can't be Peter's coat. It's too small. We also use them to do things like talk about I can't swim. May I ask a question? Could I have some tea, please? Would you like some help? Modal verbs • • • • • • • • • • Book traversal links for Modal verbs • ‹ Continuous aspect • • › Hello, I have more questions about texts from the 19th century. The text is "Mrs Hutchinson" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. My first question is about the meaning of a question appears in the subjunctive mode in the text. The author writes, "Is the prize worth her [woman's] having if she win it [fame]?" I understand "if she win it" to mean "should she win it", which in turn means that the author has doubts about "her winning it". Therefore, is it correct to conclude that Hawthorne in using the subjunctive mode is expressing a disparaging view about a woman's potential. Isn't he saying "I don't think women can win it". The other question is from the same document, but comes from the opening statement. "The character of this female suggests a train of thoughts which will form as natural an introduction to her story as most of the prefaces to Gay's Fables or the tales of Prior, besides that the general soundness of the moral may excuse any want to present applicability". I am not sure what the author means by the second half...

• Tom • His boss tells him that he • Otherwise he anymore is a signal word for negation • When customers want information, he • He Don’t forget:| need not = doesn’t have to| must not = isn’t allowed to • If he sorts the files now, he Don’t forget:| need not = doesn’t have to| must not = isn’t allowed to • Instead, he • Tom tidy his office last month because he find anything anymore. must → had to|can → be able to ( could is also possible here) • His boss told him that he be tidier. ought to → be expected to/be supposed to/be to • Otherwise he work in his department in the future. can → be allowed to/could|To note: since this sentence is referring forward to the future from its standpoint in the past, we have to use the conditional (would not be allowed to|could not) • When customers wanted information, he be able to help them immediately. ought to → be expected to/be supposed to/be to • He to keep them waiting. must not → be not allowed to • As he had sorted the files that morning, he panic when a customer called. need not → don’t have to • Instead, he help them immediately. can → be able to ( could is also possible here) Online exercises to improve your English Improve your English with Lingolia. Each grammar topic comes with one free exercise where you can review the basics, as well as many more Lingolia Plus exercises where you can practise according to your level. Check your understanding by hovering over the info bubbles for simple explanations and handy tips. Modal V...

Look at these examples to see how can, can't, must, mustn't, have to and don’t have to are used. You can put your shoes and coat over there. You can't leave your bike there. I must call the electrician and get that light fixed. You mustn't worry about me. I'll be fine. You have to have a licence to drive a car. You don't have to have a licence to cycle on the roads. Try this exercise to test your grammar. Grammar test 1 Read the explanation to learn more. Grammar explanation We often use verbs with modal meanings to talk about permission and obligation. Permission can We often use can to ask for and give permission. Can I sit here? You can use my car if you like. Can I make a suggestion? could We also use could to ask for permission (but not to give it). Could is more formal and polite than can. Could I ask you something? Could I interrupt? Could I borrow your pen for a moment, please? may May is the most formal way to ask for and give permission. May I see your passport, please? Customers may request a refund within a period of 30 days. These pages may be photocopied for classroom use. Prohibition We use can't and mustn't to show that something is prohibited – it is not allowed. can't We use can't to talk about something that is against the rules, particularly when we didn't make the rules. What does this sign say? Oh, we can't park here. You can't take photos in the museum. They're really strict about it. Sorry, we can't sell knives to under-18s. must not/ mustn't We use...