In English, as in any other, we speak not only about the events and actions taking place around, but also express our attitude to various situations. Every person dreams about something, assumes and predicts something. Modal verbs are used precisely in order to show an attitude towards an ongoing action.
After getting acquainted with the theory, we will consolidate the material by doing exercises on modal verbs.
Modal verbs
Modal verb |
Transcription |
Translation |
What expresses |
|
| 1 | dare | [deə] | dare, dare | outrage |
| 2 |
can (to be able to) |
[kæn (tuːbiːˈeɪbltuː)] | be able, be able, be able to | ability (mental and physical) |
| 3 | have to | [hævtuː] | must, have to | duty to perform some action depending on the situation |
| 4 |
may (allowed (to); to be) |
[meɪ (əˈlaʊd (tuː); tuːbiː)] | to be able, to be able, to allow | request, permission |
| 5 | must | [mʌst] | must, must | the need to do something |
| 6 | need | [niːd] | necessary, necessary | need to perform action |
| 7 | ought | [ɔːt] | should, should, should | advice, moral duty |
| 8 | shall | [ʃæl] | should | warning, waiting for order, threat |
| 9 | should | [ʃʊd] | recommended, must | advice, any advice |
| 10 | to be to | [tuːbiːtuː] | must, must |
the need to do something by agreement thatpre-scheduled |
| 11 | will | [wɪl] | will be | intention, consent, desire |
| 12 | would | [wʊd] | wish | request, intention, repetition of an action in the past |
It is important to remember what all these words express and how they are translated in order to correctly complete the exercises below.
Building sentences with modal verbs
Remember that modal verbs:
- have the same shape in all faces;
- the ending -ing is not added to them;
- not used by themselves.
All modal verbs in English are used without auxiliary verbs in negative and interrogative sentences (except for the modal verb have to). To build a question, this scheme is used:
| 1. Modal verb | 2. Noun or pronoun | 3. Semantic verb | 4. Other members of the proposal |
For example:
- Need Veronica to go to kindergarten? – Does Veronica need to go to kindergarten?
- Should I take this? – Do I need to take this?
- Did Mom have to go to the store again? Did Mom have to go to the store again? (in questions with have to in the first placethere is an auxiliary verb, then the word order is the same as in the affirmative sentence).
To construct a negation, the following word order is used:
| 1. Modal verb | 2. Noun or pronoun | 3. Semantic verb | 4. Other members of the proposal |
For example:
- Marcus shouldn't be here. – Marcus should not be here.
- Sarah can't forget you. – Sarah can't forget you.
- He doesn't have to wake up so early. – He doesn’t need to wake up so early.
Modal verbs in English. Exercise
Introducing a table that will help you build sentences correctly. Then we move on to practice.
Modal verb exercise 1. Translate, insert modal verb.
- She … to speak at the conference. (dared)
- I … sell this painting. (can't)
- Mom … love to meet you. (will)
- I … walk here every day. (have to)
- You … pay for me. (should)
Exercise 2. Translate into English using the verbs may, can, to be to, need, would.
- I can jump without a safety net.
- Can I stay here for the night?
- I have to be at my boss's at 3:00.
- I would like to have a cup of tea with you.
- I need to submit a report by Thursday.
Exercise 3. Please indicate correct andwrong examples. This modal verb exercise will help you check how well you remember the sentence structure.
- I can tell you a funny story.
- I don't dare talk about it.
- I am shall get this title!
- Have to I attend the meeting?
- Vanessa ought to protect her nerves.
Answers
Do each modal exercise diligently, then check your answers.
Exercise 1:
- She dared to speak at the conference. Here the verb dare is used in the past tense - dared.
- I can't sell this painting. The particle not is added to the modal verb can - can't.
- Mom would love to meet you. (will)
- I have to go here every day. (have to)
- You must pay for me. (must)
Exercise 2:
- I can jump without insurance.
- May I stay here tonight?
- I ought to be to at my boss's at 3:00.
- I would have a cup of tea with you.
- I need to submit the report by Thursday.
Exercise 3:
- I can tell you a funny story. (correct)
- I dare not talk about it. (correct)
- I will get this title! (wrong, auxiliary verb am is not needed here)
- Should I attend the meeting? (wrong, have to is used with an auxiliary like this: "Do I have to attend the meeting?")
- Vanessa should have kept her nerves.(correct)
What a huge range of feelings modal verbs convey in English! The exercises presented in the article will help you practice using such verbs. You can also come up with your own examples based on the ones above. If you forgot something, repeat the theory. Exercise regularly. Most importantly, keep moving forward with your English.
