MODAL VERBS FORM AND USE Ø Modals do not take the 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. Ø Modals have the same form in all persons. Ø Modals are followed immediately by the simple form of a verb. (She can do it.) Ø There is no do or does in questions or negative phrases. (She can do it. – Can she do it? – She cannot do it.) The only exception is have to: She doesn’t have to do it. – Does she have to do it? MODAL VERBS CZECH EQUIVALENT USE can/can’t ability (schopnost): Many animals can see clearly in the dark. Human beings can't do this. permission (povolení): You can look at the animals in the zoo but you can't touch them. could/couldn’t past ability (schopnost v minulosti): We don't know how fast Ancient Greek athletes could run. to describe what was allowed/not alllowed (něco bylo/nebylo povoleno): Women couldn't compete or watch the ancient Olympic Games. must need not necessity/obligation (nutnost, povinnost): You must clean your desk. (= personal opinion of the speaker) lack of necessity (není to nutné): He needn’t come. mustn‘t = you can’t do it, it’s prohibited/negative obligation (zákaz): You mustn't throw things in the science lab! It's dangerous! have to/has to don’t have to/ doesn’t have to necessity/obligation (nutnost/povinnost): We have to wear safety goggles. (= an 'outside' opinion or rule) = it’s not necessary (není to nutné): You don't have to use a pen. (it's not necessary- use a pen or a pencil) should shouldn’t something is/isn’t a good idea (to give advice, to make suggestion) (rada, doporučení): I think you should study biology next year. You should pay more attention. You shouldn't talk so much. PRACTICE 1 Choose the correct completion. Pay attention to the form. 1 Mary can __________ to the meeting. a) comes b) to come c) come 2 Jack should __________ harder. a) studies b) study c) to study 3 The whole team must __________ together in order to win the game. a) work b) worked c) works 4 You have __________ an umbrella when you go out. It looks like it’s going to rain. a) take b) taken c) to take 5 We have a lot of food in the fridge so you needn’t __________ shopping. a) to go b) going c) go 2 Complete each sentence with CAN, CAN’T, COULD or COULDN’T + the verb in brackets. 1 What’s that noise? I ______________ hear something. 2 I learned to play the piano when I was ten but I ______________ only play one song. 3 Don’t push Harry in the water. He ______________ swim. 4 The class worked hard so they ______________ leave early. 5 Sorry, I ______________ come tomorrow. I’ll try and see you next week. 6 The suitcase was so heavy so I ______________ lift it. 3 Complete the sentence with MUST, MUSTN'T, or DON'T / DOESN'T HAVE TO. 1 You ______________ stand on the desk. You'll break it. 2 Liz ______________ take an umbrella. I'm sure it isn't going to rain. 3 You ______________ be more careful next time! 4 In our country children ______________ go to school on Saturday. 5 You______________ touch the balI. It's against the rules. 6 Sorry, I really ______________ go now! 4 Complete the sentences. Use HAVE TO, HAS TO, or HAD TO in each. 1 I’m sorry I was absent from class yesterday, but I ______________. 2 If you want to enter the university, you ______________. 3 Erica can’t come to Pete’s party tomorrow because she ______________. 4 Jake couldn’t go to the cinema yesterday because he ______________. 5 Put a form of HAVE TO or SHOULD into each gap. Sometimes the verb forms are negative. 1 Your hair is too long. I think you __________ get it cut. 2 You smell, and you’ve got a cough. You __________ smoke. 3 I’m going to bed.I __________ be up early tomorrow. 4 I’d like to meet your boyfriend. You __________ invite him round. 5 You __________ come with me if you don’t want to. I”ll go on my own. 6 You __________ tell lies. It’s naughty. 7 Paul works too much. I think he __________ take it easy.