In English, as in any other language, we are not only talking about events and actions around us, but also expressing our attitude to various situations. Each person dreams of something, predicts and predicts something. Modal verbs are used precisely to show the relation to an ongoing action.
Having familiarized ourselves with the theory, we consolidate the material by performing exercises on modal verbs.
Modal verbs
No. | Modal verb | Transcription | Transfer | What expresses |
1 | dare | [deə] | dare | disturbance |
2 | can (to be able to) | [kæn (tuːbiːˈeɪbltuː)] | be able to be able to | ability (mental and physical) |
3 | have to | [hævtuː] | necessary | obligation to carry out an action depending on the situation |
4 | may (allowed (to); to be) | [meɪ (əˈlaʊd (tuː); tuːbiː)] | be able to | request, permission |
5 | must | [mʌst] | obliged must | the need to do something |
6 | need | [niːd] | necessary, necessary | need to perform an action |
7 | ought | [ɔːt] | should, should, should | advice, moral duty |
8 | shallow | [ʃæl] | should | warning, pending order, threat |
9 | should | [ʃʊd] | recommended should | advice, any recommendations |
10 | to be to | [tuːbiːtuː] | must | the need to do something by agreement, which is planned in advance |
eleven | will | [wɪl] | will be | intention, consent, desire |
12 | would | [wʊd] | I would like to | request, intention, repetition of actions in the past |
It is important to remember what all these words express and how to translate in order to correctly complete the exercises further.
Building sentences with modal verbs
Remember that modal verbs:
- have the same shape in all faces;
- the -ing ending is not added to them;
- not used independently.
All modal verbs in English are used without auxiliary verbs in negative and interrogative sentences (except for the have to modal verb). To build the question, this scheme is used:
1. Modal verb | 2. Noun or pronoun | 3. The semantic verb | 4. Other members of the proposal |
For instance:
- 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? - Mom again had to go to the store? (in matters with have to, the auxiliary verb is in the first place, then the word order is the same as in the affirmative sentence).
To construct negation, the following word order is used:
1. Modal verb | 2. Noun or pronoun | 3. The semantic verb | 4. Other members of the proposal |
For instance:
- 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. Exercises
We present a table that helps you build sentences correctly. Then we turn to practice.
Exercise on modal verbs No. 1. Translate, insert the modal verb.
- She ... to speak at the conference. (dared)
- I ... sell this painting. (I can not)
- Mom ... love to meet you. (will be)
- I ... walk here every day. (accounted for)
- You ... pay for me. (should)
Exercise number 2. Translate into English using the verbs may, can, to be to, need, would.
- I can jump without insurance.
- May I stay here overnight?
- I have to be with my boss at 3:00.
- I would like to have a cup of tea with you.
- I need to submit a report by Thursday.
Exercise number 3. Indicate valid and incorrect examples. This exercise on modal verbs will help you to check how you remember the sentence construction scheme.
- 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.
The answers
Carefully complete each modal verb exercise, then check the answers.
Exercise number 1:
- She dared to speak at the conference. Here the verb dare is used in the past tense - dared.
- I can not sell this picture. A particle not - can't is added to the modal verb can.
- Mom will be glad to meet you. (will)
- I have to go here every day. (have to)
- You have to pay for me. (must)
Exercise number 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 number 3:
- I can tell you a funny story. (right)
- I dare not talk about it. (right)
- I will get this title! (false, the auxiliary verb am is not needed here)
- Should I attend the meeting? (wrong, have to is used with the auxiliary verb like this: "Do I have to attend the meeting?")
- Vanessa should take care of her nerves. (right)
What a huge range of feelings convey modal verbs in the English language! The exercises presented in the article will help to practice the use of such verbs. In addition, you can come up with your own examples based on the above. If something is forgotten, repeat the theory. Exercise regularly. Most importantly, move forward in learning English.