Mgr. Gabriela Durnová, Mgr. Daniela Dvořáková English C: Grammar: Modals 1
Language Centre MU
MMOODDAALL VVEERRBBSS
Form and use:
 Modals do not take a final –s, even when the subject is she, he, it (She can do it.). The only exception
is have to: She has to do it.
 Modals have the same form in all persons.
 Modals are followed immediately by the simple form of a verb (= infinitive). (She can do it.)
 There is NO do or does in questions or negative phrases. When we want to make a question we just
change the word order. (She can do it. – Can she do it? – She cannot do it.) The only exception is have
to: Does she have to do it? – She doesn’t have to do it.
Modal verbs Czech eqv. Use
can / can‟t ability (=>schopnost):
Sue can dance quite well but she can’t sing.
permission (=>povolení):
You can’t come in here.
Can we go home now?
must
need not
necessity/obligation (=> nutnost/povinnost):
You must clean your room.
lack of necessity (=> není to nutné)
He needn’t come in person, he can send an email.
have to
don‟t have to
necessity/obligation (=> nutnost, povinnost):
You can’t turn right. You have to turn left.
it‟s not necessary (=> není to nutné):
We don’t have to arrive on time.
mustn„t you can‟t do st. because it‟s prohibited (=> zákaz):
You must keep it a secret. You mustn’t tell anyone.
should /shouldn‟t something is/isn‟t a good idea to do (to give advice, to make a
suggestion) (=> rada, návrh):
You look tired. You should go to bed.
would / wouldn‟t a hypothetical action or event in the present (=>hypotetická
možnost v přítomnosti):
I would go there if I had time. (But I don’t have it.)
may / may not
might / might not
(carries less probability
than “may”)
it‟s (not) possible (=>možnost):
It may/might be true.
I’m not sure whether I can lend you any money. I may not have enough.
Mgr. Gabriela Durnová, Mgr. Daniela Dvořáková English C: Grammar: Modals 2
Language Centre MU
PRACTICE
1 Complete the sentences. Use must, mustn’t, don’t/doesn’t have to.
1 We haven’t got much time. We __________ hurry.
2 We have enough food at home so we __________ go shopping today.
3 Jim gave me a letter to post yesterday. I __________ remember to post it today.
4 Jim gave me a letter to post yesterday. I __________ forget to post it today.
5 There is plenty of time for you to make up your mind. You __________ decide now.
6 Jane __________ wash those tomatoes. They’ve already been washed.
7 This is a valuable book. You __________ look after it carefully and you __________ lose it.
8 “What sort of house do you want to buy?“ “Well, it __________ be big, that’s not important. But it __________
have a nice garden, because I love flowers.“
2 Complete the sentences. Use mustn’t or don’t have to.
1 The windows aren’t very dirty. You __________ clean them.
2 Keep these documents in a safe place. You __________ lose them.
3 We __________ forget to turn off the lights before we leave.
4 I __________ write the letter now. I can do it tomorrow.
3 Choose the correct completion according to the meaning.
1 She got the job because she __________ speak five languages.
a. must b. can
2 A: “I have a toothache.” B: “You __________ go to a doctor.”
a. would b. should
3 They __________ finish the bridge in time for the holiday traffic though I‟m a bit sceptical about it.
a. might b. would
4 I __________ go any farther. I am exhausted.
a. cannot b. may not
5 If you asked me nicely, I __________ buy you that sweater.
a. may b. would
6 You __________ make so much noise. He is trying to concentrate.
a. wouldn’t b. shouldn’t
4 Translate the sentences using suitable modal verbs.
Czech English
1 Můj bratr neumí lyžovat.
2 Možná bude odpoedne pršet.
3 Měl bys mu zavolat.
4 Nemusíš odpovídat na ten email, já to udělám.
5 Navštívil bys mne?
6 Musíš se rozhodnout dnes.
7 Můžeme jet na hory?
8 Nesmíte zde kouřit.
9 Neměl bys tam chodit.
10 Jana si bude si muset najít novou práci.