Modal Verbs would, used to, to be used to: meaning and use.

If we say something used to happen we are talking about repeated events and actions in the past, usually things that happened a long time ago and are now finished.

To express this we can use either used to or would.

When I was young I used to play with my dolls. = When I was young I would play with my dolls.

If you want to talk about repeated states or habits in the past, you must use used to, you cannot use would :

My dog used to bark at cats. 

I used to smoke. 

If you are used to something, you are accustomed to it – you don’t find it unusual.

‘be used to’ is followed by a noun (or pronoun) or the gerund:

He’s not used to the weather here yet. He’s finding it very cold.

Elementary Exercises:

Exercise 1 (multiple choice)

Exercise 2 (Choose the right option)

Exercise 3 (complete the song)

Exercise 4 (Choose the correct option)

Exercise 5 (mix and match)

Exercise 6 (put the words in the correct order)

Exercise 7 (complete the sentences)

Exercise 8 (complete the sentences)

Exercise 9 (mix and match)

Intermediate Exercises:

Exercise 1 (multiple choice)

Exercise 2 (Choose the right verb)

Exercise 3 (complete the sentences)

Exercise 4 (match the sentences)

Exercise 5 (join the sentences)

Exercise 6 (test)

Exercise 7 (Choose the correct option)

Exercise 8 (choose A,B,or C)

Exercise 9 (Choose the correct sentence)

Exercise 10 (right or wrong)

Advanced Exercises: 

Exercise 1 (Choose the right answer)

Exercise 2 (Choose the correct asnwer)

Exercise 3 (complete the sentences)

Exercise 4 (Choose the correct tense)

Exercise 5 (quiz)

Exercise 6 (complete the sentences)

Exercise 7 (quiz)

Exercise 8 (Choose the right verb)

Exercise 9 (choose the correct form 'used to', 'be used to' or 'would')

Exercise 10 (Listen and answer these questions)

Test
Key

Modal Verbs: should, ought to, need: meaning and use

 Should

   In modern English the modal verb should is used with reference to the present or future. It remains unchanged in reported speech.

   Should has the following meanings:

1. used to show what is right, appropriate, etc, especially when criticizing somebody's actions:
e.g. You shouldn't drink and drive.
      He should have been more careful.
      A present for me? You shouldn't have! (= used to thank somebody politely)

2. used for giving or asking for advice:
e.g. You should stop worrying about it.
       Should I call him and apologize?
       I should wait a little longer, if I were you.

3. used to say that you expect something is true or will happen:
e.g. We should arrive before dark.
       I should have finished the book by Friday.
       The roads should be less crowded today.

4. used to say that something that was expected has not happened:
e.g. It should be snowing now, according to the weather forecast.
      The bus should have arrived ten minutes ago.

5. (British English, formal) used after I or we instead of would for describing what you would do if something else happened first:
e.g. If I were asked to work on Sundays, I should resign.

6. (formal) used to refer to a possible event or situation:
e.g. If you should change your mind, do let me know.
      In case you should need any help, here's my number.
      Should anyone call (= if anyone calls), please tell them I'm busy.

7. used as the past form of shall when reporting what somebody has said:
e.g. He asked me what time he should come. (= His words were: ‘What time shall I come?’) 
      (British English, formal) I said (that) I should be glad to help.

8. (British English) used after that when something is suggested or arranged:
e.g. She recommended that I should take some time off.
      In order that training should be effective it must be planned systematically.


Ought to

The modal verb ought to has only one form which is used “with reference to the present of future. In reported speech it remains unchanged. Ought is always followed by the infinitive with to.

Ought to has the following meanings:

1. used to say what is the right thing to do:
e.g. They ought to apologize.
     ‘Ought I to write to say thank you?’ ‘Yes, I think you ought (to).’
      They ought to have apologized (= but they didn't).
      Such things ought not to be allowed.
      He oughtn't to have been driving so fast.

2. used to say what you expect or would like to happen:
e.g. Children ought to be able to read by the age of 7.
       Nurses ought to earn more.
3. used to say what you advise or recommend:
e.g. We ought to be leaving now.
      This is delicious. You ought to try some.
      You ought to have come to the meeting. It was interesting.

4. used to say what has probably happened or is probably true:
e.g. If he started out at nine, he ought to be here by now.
      That ought to be enough food for the four of us.
      Oughtn't the water to have boiled by now?

Need

Need used to state that something is/was not necessary or that only very little is/was necessary; used to ask if something is/was necessary:
1. need (not) do something:
e.g. You needn't bother asking Rick—I know he's too busy.
       I need hardly tell you (= you must already know) that the work is dangerous.
       If she wants anything, she need only ask.
      All you need bring are sheets.

2. need (not) have done something: 
e.g. You needn't have worried (= it was not necessary for you to worry, but you did) —it all turned out fine.
       Need you have paid so much?

Exercises:

Elementary

Exercise 1
Read the sentences and choose the correct form.

Exercise 2
Choose should or shouldn't

Exercise 3

Click on the words in the correct order to make positives, negatives and questions with should and shouldn't.

Exercise 4
Choose should or shouldn't

Exrecise 5
Put in order

Exercise 6
Put two phrases together in order to get a small dialogue

 Exercise 7
Choose the correct answer below to fill the gap (need, needn't, should)

Exercise 8

Choose the right answer

Exercise 9

Choose the correct answer

Exercise 10

Select the correct verb in each sentence.

Intermediate

Exercise 1
Click on the words in the correct order to make positives, negatives and questions with should and shouldn't.

Exercise 2
Read the explanation on the right then decide wether the example is right or wrong. Put a tick when you think it is correct.

Exercise 3
Choose the right word - multiple choise quiz

Exercise 4
Fill in needn't or mustn't.

Exercise 5

Read the following situations and fill in one of the following  verb forms: should, shouldn't, should have, shouldn't have , don't have to, doesn't have to,  must, mustn't, must have.

Exercise 6

Write sentences to give advice. Use the verb and the information in parentheses.

Exercise 7

Choose the best modal for each sentence.

Exercise 8

Fill in needn't or mustn't. 

Exercise 9

Choose the correct answer.

Exercise 10

Modal verbs: SHOULD or OUGHT TO? (choose the right word)

Exercise 11

Choose should or shouldn't.

Advanced:

Exercise 1
Choose the correct form

Exercise 2

Decide whether the modal usage is correct or incorrect.

Exercise 3

Select the degree of advisability.

Exercise 4

Identify the meaning of should.

Exercise 5

Find the errors in the sentences.  Write the sentences correctly.


Test
Key

Modal Verbs shall, will, dare: meaning and use

SHALL
"Shall" is used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in sentences with "I" or "we," and is often found in suggestions, such as "Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of "shall" to describe future events often expresses inevitability or predestination. "Shall" is much more commonly heard in British English than in American English; Americans prefer to use other forms, although they do sometimes use "shall" in suggestions or formalized language.

Examples:
Shall I help you? (suggestion)
I shall never forget where I came from. (promise)
He shall become our next king. (predestination)
I'm afraid Mr. Smith shall become our new director. (inevitability)

WILL
"Will" is used with promises or voluntary actions that take place in the future. "Will" can also be used to make predictions about the future. For more information on using "will" and associated exercises, visit the Simple Future section of our Verb Tense Tutorial.

Examples:
I promise that I will write you every single day. (promise)
I will make dinner tonight. voluntary (action)
He thinks it will rain tomorrow. (prediction)

DARE
The modal verb dare may be defective or regular.
As a defective verb dare has two forms: dare for the present tense anddared for the past tense. It is used chiefly in interrogative and negative sentences. It has the meaning — to have the courage or independence to do something, to venture.
Examples:

How dare he speak to you like that? (I wonder at such impudence.)
How dare you sneak into my room like this?
He daren’t write anything in case it isn’t good (he hasn’t got the courage).
Dare you ask him? (Are you brave enough to ask him?)
That’s as much as I dare spend on it.

As a regular verb dare has a limited paradigm of finite forms and no verbals. It may have two meanings:
1. To venture, to have the courage or impudence (like the defectivedare). In this sense it is used mainly in negative statements.
He didn’t dare to stop me (he didn’t have the courage).
She doesn’t dare to answer.
Don’t you dare to touch me.

2. To challenge, to defy.
I dared him to jump (I challenged him to do it).
I dare you to say this straight to her face. — Попробуй, скажи ей это прямо в лицо.
Note the following combinations with the modal verb dare.
I dare say — I suppose, no doubt.
I dare say you are right. — Очень возможно, что вы правы.
I dare say he will come later. — Полагаю (пожалуй), он придет позже.

Elementary:

Ex.1 (choose between the two variants)

Ex.2 (write an appropriate verb)
Ex.3 (choose the best word or phrase)

Ex.4 (put the correct form of DARE)

Ex.5  (mix and match)
Ex.6 (put the words in the correct order)
Ex.7 (complete the questions) 

Intermediate:

Ex.1 (multiple choice)

Ex.2 (use the verb with TO or without TO)
Ex.3 (multiple choice)

Ex.4 (multiple choice)
Ex.5 (Choose the most appropriate answer)

Ex.6 (multiple choice)
Ex.7 (Choose the right modal verb)
Ex.8 (Put in the verbs in brackets into the gaps.)
Advanced:
Ex.1 (multiple choice)
Ex.2  (choose the correct form)
Ex.3 (multiple choice)

Ex.4 (fill the gaps)
Ex.5(complete the sentence)
Ex.6 (modal verbs quiz)


Test
Key

Modal Verbs Must, Have to, To be to

The modal verb MUST is used to:

1)To express the conclusion that something is certain, and to talk about necessity and obligation

E.g. You must be Anna's sister-you look just like her.

2)To express the conclusion that something is certain or highly probable - to suggest that there are excellent arguments for believing something.

E.g. There's the doorbell. It must be Roger.

3)must + perfect infinitive (have + past participle) to express conclusions about the past.

E.g. 'We went to Rome last month.' 'That must have been nice.'

4)To say what is necessary, and to give strong advice and orders to ourselves or other people.

E.g. Plants must get enough light and water if they are to grow properly.

British industry must improve its productivity.

5)“Must not” to say that things should not be done, or tell people not to do things

E.g. The government really mustn't  expect people to work hard for no money.

Note! must not/ mustn't is not used to say that things are unnecessary

6)To talk about obligation

E.g. You really must go to church next Sunday-you haven't been for ages.

7)To give orders or instructions for the future. E.g. You can borrow my car, but you must bring it back before ten.

 The modal verb HAVE TO is used to: 

1)To talk about an obligation that comes from 'outside' (for instance a regulation, or an order from somebody else)

E.g. I have to work from nine to five.

2)To express the conclusion that something is certain

E.g. This has (got) to be the worst job.

3)To talk about necessity

E.g. This is a lovely party, but we've got to go home because of the baby-sitter.

4)To talk about obligation

E.g. Catholics have to go to church on Sundays.

5)Will have to can be used to 'distance' the instructions, making them sound less like direct orders from the speaker. E.g. You can borrow my car, but you'll have to bring it back before ten.

6)“Had to” is used to talk about past obligation.

E.g. Edna isn't in her office. She had to go home. (= It was necessary for her to go home.)

 The modal verb TO BE TO is used to: 

1)Prearranged necessity, part of a plan in the present or future

E.g. When is the wedding to be?

E.g. I was to meet my mother at 11.

2)The plan which wasn’t carried out

E.g. He was to have come at 6 but it is 7 and he hasn’t come.

3)Strict order

E.g. You are to stay here till father comes.

4)Strict prohibition

E.g. You are not to do it!

Elementary Exercises 

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Exercise 4

Exercise 5

Exercise 6

Exercise 7

Exercise 8

Exercise 9

Exercise 10

 Intermediate Exercises
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercise 5
Exercise 6
Exercise 7
Exercise 8
Exercise 9
Exercise 10

Advanced Exercises
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercise 5
Exercise 6

Modal Verbs may, might: meaning and use

Meaning:  possibility, often-future possibility, and permission

N.B. we can express the same meaning by ''perhaps" or "possibly"

E.g.    Where is James?         Why is he late?

•          I don't know, he may / might be ill

•          I don't know, perhaps he is ill

•          It may / might rain tomorrow but I hope it will be sunny.

•          May I use the telephone?

•        May we leave now, Miss Black? "no you may not, you haven't finished your work yet" ("may not" means there's no permission)

To express a past possibility you use may + have + past participle of the verb

•    Where is James? "I don't know Mr Bums. He may have missed the bus."

USE OF MAY / MIGHT

may

We can use 'may' to ask for permission. However this is rather formal and not used very often in modern spoken English

•          May I borrow your pen?

•          May we think about it?

•          May I go now?

We use 'may' to suggest something is possible

•          It may rain later today.

•          I may not have time to do it today.

•          Pete may come with us

might

We use 'might' to suggest a small possibility of something. Often we read that 'might' suggests a smaller possibility that 'may', there is in fact little difference and 'might is more usual than' may 'in spoken English

•          She might be at home by now but it's not sure at all.

•          It might rain this afternoon.

•          I might not have time to go to the shops for you.

For the past, we use 'might have'

•          He might have tried to call while I was out.

•          I might have dropped it in the street.

•          I might not go

Exercises:

Elementary

№1
Choose the correct option

№2
Fill each gap with a correct form

№3
Put the following words into the correct order

№4
Fill each gap with a correct form

№5
Match the phrases into the sentences

№6
Choose the correct option

№7
Choose the correct option

№8
Choose the correct option


№9
Choose the correct option


№10
Choose the correct option


Intermediate

№1
Choose the correct option


№2
Fill each gap with a correct form


№3
Fill each gap with a correct form


№4
Fill each gap with a correct form


№5
Put the following words into the correct order

№6
Choose the correct option


№7
Choose the correct option


№8
Click on the words in the correct order


№9
Choose the correct option


№10
Fill each gap with a correct form


Advanced

№1
Match a sentence with its purpose


№2
Match the following sentences

№3
Write sentences using "may" or "might"

№4
Fill each gap with a correct form


№5
Rewrite the following sentences

№6
Choose the correct option


№7
Choose the correct option


№8
Fill each gap with a correct form


№9
Fill each gap with a correct form


№10
Choose the correct option


Test
Key

Modal Verbs: Can, Could, To Be Able To

Can

"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.

Examples:

• I can ride a horse. ability
• We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. opportunity
• She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission
• Can you hand me the stapler? request
• Any child can grow up to be president. possibility

Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "can" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
can general ability	1. I can speak Chinese. 2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I will be able to speak Chinese by the time I finish my course.	1. I can't speak Swahili. 2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I couldn't speak Swahili. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I won't be able to speak Swahili.	be able to
can ability during a specific event	1. With a burst of adrenaline, people can pick up cars. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he was able to lift the car off the child's leg. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he will be able to lift the car.	1. Even with a burst of adrenaline, people can't pick up something that heavy. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even the weight lifter, couldn't lift the car off the child's leg. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even three men working together won't be able to lift the car.	be able to
can opportunity	1. I have some free time. I can help her now. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I had some free time yesterday. I was able to help her at that time. 3. I'll have some free time tomorrow. I can help her then.	1. I don't have any time. I can't help her now. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I didn't have time yesterday. I wasn't able to help her at that time. 3. I won't have any time later. I can't help her then.	be able to
can permission	1. I can drive Susan's car when she is out of town. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I was allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week. 3. I can drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week.	1. I can't drive Susan's car when she is out of town. 2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I wasn't allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week. 3. I can't drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week.	may
can request	Can I have a glass of water? Can you give me a lift to school? Requests usually refer to the near future.	Can't I have a glass of water? Can't you give me a lift to school? Requests usually refer to the near future.	could, may
can possibility, impossibility	Anyone can become rich and famous if they know the right people. Learning a language can be a real challenge. This use is usually a generalization or a supposition.	It can't cost more than a dollar or two. You can't be 45! I thought you were about 18 years old. This use is usually a generalization or a supposition.	could

Could
"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."

Examples:

• Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility
• Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability
• You could see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestion
• Could I use your computer to email my boss? request
• We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. conditional

Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use	Positive Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	Negative Forms 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future	You can also use:
could possibility	1. John could be the one who stole the money. 2. John could have been the one who stole the money. 3. John could go to jail for stealing the money.	1. Mary couldn't be the one who stole the money. 2. Mary couldn't have been the one who stole the money. 3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail for the crime.	might, may
could conditional of can	1. If I had more time, I could travel around the world. 2. If I had had more time, I could have traveled around the world. 3. If I had more time this winter, I could travel around the world.	1. Even if I had more time, I couldn't travel around the world. 2. Even if I had had more time, I couldn't have traveled around the world. 3. Even if I had more time this winter, I couldn't travel around the world.
could suggestion	1. NO PRESENT FORM 2. You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii. 3. You could spend your vacation in Hawaii.	NO NEGATIVE FORMS
could past ability	I could run ten miles in my twenties. I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. "Could" cannot be used in positive sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability. Yesterday, I could lift the couch by myself. Not Correct	I couldn't run more than a mile in my twenties. I couldn't speak Swahili. "Could" can be used in negative sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability. Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch by myself. Correct	be able to
could polite request	Could I have something to drink? Could I borrow your stapler? Requests usually refer to the near future.	Couldn't he come with us? Couldn't you help me with this for just a second? Requests usually refer to the near future.	can, may, might

Can I …? Can you …? Could I … Could you …? and so on.

The negative form is can’t in spoken English and cannot in written English.
We sometimes say cannot, but it is very emphatic.
The negative form of could is couldn’t in spoken English and could not in written English.
We sometimes say could not.
We use can and can’t :

• To talk about ability:

Maria can speak four languages.
I can’t swim, but my sister can.

• To say that something is possible or impossible:

Learning English can be difficult [= Learning English is sometimes difficult.]
Children can be very naughty [= Children are sometimes very naughty.]
It’s still light. It can’t be bedtime.

• For requests and refusals of requests

Can I go home now?
You can go whenever you like.
You can borrow the car today, but you can’t have it tomorrow.

• To offer to help someone:

Can I help you?
Can I carry that bag for you?

We use could and couldn’t as the past tense of can/can’t:

• To talk about ability:

I could run very fast when I was younger.
She couldn’t get a job anywhere.

• To say that something was possible or impossible:

Our teacher could be very strict when we were at school. [= Some teachers were very strict.]
People could starve in those days. [= People sometimes starved.]
You couldn’t use computers in the nineteenth century.

• To make a polite request:

Could I go now please?
Could you lend me a dictionary please?

• To make a polite offer:

Could I give you a lift?
I could carry that for you.

We use could have:

• to show that something is possible now or was possible at some time in the past:

It’s ten o’clock. They could have arrived now.
They could have arrived hours ago.

Exercises:

Elementary

Exercise1

Look at the pictures and choose the best answer.

Exercise2

Complete the sentences with can or can't.

Exercise3

Make negative sentences. Use the verbs in brackets.

Exercise4

Rewrite the sentences.

Exercise5

Make statements or questions.

Exercise6

Use the verbs can, may, must in positive or negative forms.

Exercise7

Rewrite the sentences.

Exercise8

Read the sentences and choose the correct response.

Exercise9

Choose the correct verb forms and complete the sentences.

Intermediate

Exercise1

Mix and match.

Exercise2

Requests, offers or possibility?

Exercise3

Put in order.

Exercise4

Rules and regulations.

Exercise5

The logical possibility.

Exercise6

Multiple choice.

Exercise7

Modal Auxiliary Verbs Game - Can, Must, Would - Basketball

Exercise8
When i was two.

Exercise9
Paraphrase

Exercise10
Complete the following sentences using the most appropriate forms of the verbs

Advanced

Exercise1

Fill in the blanks with can or can't and then check your answers below.

Exercise2
Mix and match.

Exercise3
Fill in the spaces with the right modal verbs.


Can - To Be Able To

'Can' is also used to express ability. Another form that can be used to express ability is 'to be able to'. Usually, either of these two forms can be used.

Examples:
I can play the piano. => I'm able to play the piano.
She can speak Spanish. => She's able to speak Spanish.

There is no future or perfect form of 'can'. Use 'to be able to' in both future and perfect tenses.

Examples:
Jack's been able to golf for three years.
I'll be able to speak Spanish when I finish the course.

Special Case of the Past Positive Form

When speaking about a specific (non-general) event in the past only 'to be able to' is used in the positive form. However, both 'can' and 'to be able to' are used in the past negative.

Examples:
I was able to get tickets for the concert. NOT I could get tickets for the concert.
I couldn't come last night. OR I wasn't able to come last night.
 
Exercises:
Elementary:
Exercise1
Mini-test. Create the sentences.

Exercise2
Choose the most appropriate answer for expressing ability.

Exercise3
Choose the most appropriate answer for expressing the idea specified in parentheses.

Intermediate:
Exercise1
"Have to - Be able to". Complete the sentences.

Exercise2
Fill in the blanks with can, can’t, could, couldn’t or was / wasn’t able to

Exercise3
Choose the correct form.

Exercise4
Write the phrases in brackets in their correct forms into the gaps.

Exercise5
Complete the sentences.

Exercise6
Test


Advanced:
Exercise1
Multiple choice.

Exercise2
Multiple choice.

Exercise3
Multiple choice.

Exercise4
Put the modal verbs into the right tense.

My Test

Key