English Today

Simple Past - Test 1 - False Beginners - Answer Key

 

A.  Write the simple past of the following verbs.

Infinitive (Basic Verb)	Simple Past
Watch	watched
Clean	cleaned
Stop	stopped
Arrive	arrived
Return	returned
Cook	cooked
Walk	walked
Visit	visited
Work	worked
Look	looked
Like	liked
Iron	ironed
Play	played
Study	studied
Love	loved
Open	opened
Start	started
Water	watered
Climb	climbed
Stay	stayed
Call	called
Kiss	kissed
Tidy	tidied
Wash	washed

 

B. Put the verbs in brackets into the simple past.

Yesterday, my family and I ---visited---------- (visit) my grandparents. My mother (help) ----helped-------- my grandmother with the housework. My father (clean) ----cleaned--------- the windows outside. My brother and I ---watched------ (watch) cartoons on TV and later we --played----------- (play) outside in the garden. We ---climbed---------- (climb) the tree to our tree-house. We --stayed-------- (stay) there all afternoon. Then our mother ---called------ (call) us because it was time to go home.  We ---arrived------- (arrive) home at 8 o’clock. Father --looked------- (look) for the key. He --opened---- (open) our front door and we all -walked----(walk) inside.

 

C. Fill in the blanks.

Infinitive (Basic Verb)	Simple Past
Be	was / were
Break	Broke
Buy	Bought
Come	Came
Cut	Cut
Catch	Caught
Drink	Drank
Drive	Drove
Eat	Ate
Have	Had
Lose	Lost
Make	Made
Read	Read
Meet	Met
Put	Put
Teach	Taught
Run	Ran
See	Saw
Tell	Told

  

D. Choose the right verb, put it in the simple past and fill in the gaps.

write, drink, do, see, buy, sit, go, drive, be, tell, come, take, meet

 

Yesterday morning, we ---went------- to the market. We -took---- our shopping bags. Father ----drove---- us there in his car. At the market, Mother --bought------ some fruit and vegetables. I ---saw------ some birds and wanted to buy one. Mother ----told------- me they --were------ too expensive. Then, we --met----- some friends and we all ----went------- to a café. We --sat----- at a table outside and I --drank------ some orange juice. Then  Mum and I -came----- home. In the afternoon, I ----did----- my homework and --wrote----- a letter to my grandparents.

 

E.  Make the following sentences negative.

1.  Vince was ill yesterday.

--------Vince wasn't ill yesterday-----------------------

2. Terry forgot his homework.

----Terry didn't forget his homework--------------

3.  Emily saw Vince with a girl.

-----Emily didn't see Vince with a girl-------------

4. Sue played badminton last night.

----Sue didn't play badminton last night-----------------------

5. Casey and Terry went to the cinema.

-----Casey and Terry didn't go to the cinema ---------------------------

6. I had salad for lunch.

------I didn't have salad for lunch-------------------------------------

7. We were late for the train.

-------We weren't late for the train---------------------------------

8. I did my homework last night.

----I didn't do my homework last night---------------------------------------

9.  Mum drove us to school.

------Mum didn't drive us to school.----------------------------

10.  He put his passport in his pocket.

--------He didn't put his passport in his pocket---------------

 F. Now write six things that you did and six things that you didn’t do yesterday. Each time you must use a different verb.

Example:

I  went to the theatre yesterday. I didn’t go to the cinema.

Suggested Answers:

1. I read a book yesterday. I didn't watch TV.

2. I went to the cinema yesterday. I didn't play tennis.

3. I had pasta for lunch yesterday. I didn't eat fish.

4. I called my friend yesterday. I didn't text him.

5. I worked hard yesterday. I didn't meet my friends.

6. I got up late yesterday. I didn't water the flowers.

 

 

 

 

Simple Past - Test 1 - False Beginners

 

A.  Write the simple past of the following verbs.

Infinitive (Basic Verb)	Simple Past
Watch	watched
Clean
Stop
Arrive
Return
Cook
Walk
Visit
Work
Look
Like
Iron
Play
Study
Love
Open
Start
Water
Climb
Stay
Call
Kiss
Tidy
Wash

 

B. Put the verbs in brackets into the simple past.

Yesterday, my family and I ---visited---------- (visit) my grandparents. My mother (help) ------------ my grandmother with the housework. My father (clean) ------------- the windows outside. My brother and I --------- (watch) cartoons on TV and later we ------------- (play) outside in the garden. We ------------- (climb) the tree to our tree-house. We ---------- (stay) there all afternoon. Then our mother --------- (call) us because it was time to go home.  We ---------- (arrive) home at 8 o’clock. Father --------- (look) for the key. He ------ (open) our front door and we all -----(walk) inside.

 

C. Fill in the blanks.

Infinitive (Basic Verb)	Simple Past
Be
	Broke
Buy
Come
Cut
	Caught
Drink
Drive
	Ate
Have
Lose
Make
Read
Meet
Put
	Taught
	Ran
See
Tell

  

D. Choose the right verb, put it in the simple past and fill in the gaps.

write, drink, do, see, buy, sit, go, drive, be, tell, come, take, meet

 

Yesterday morning, we ---went------- to the market. We ----- our shopping bags. Father -------- us there in his car. At the market, Mother -------- some fruit and vegetables. I --------- some birds and wanted to buy one. Mother ----------- me they -------- too expensive. Then, we ------- some friends and we all ----------- to a café. We ------- at a table outside and I -------- some orange juice. Then  Mum and I ------ home. In the afternoon, I --------- my homework and ------- a letter to my grandparents.

 

E.  Make the following sentences negative.

1.  Vince was ill yesterday.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Terry forgot his homework.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.  Emily saw Vince with a girl.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Sue played badminton last night.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Casey and Terry went to the cinema.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. I had salad for lunch.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. We were late for the train.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. I did my homework last night.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9.  Mum drove us to school.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10.  He put his passport in his pocket.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 F. Now write six things that you did and six things that you didn’t do yesterday. Each time you must use a different verb.

Example:

I  went to the theatre yesterday. I didn’t go to the cinema.

 

 

 

 

Should and Shouldn't

SHOULD / SHOULDN'T  + BARE INFINITIVE

A. Giving advice: should = it is the right thing to do

Examples

• You look tired. You should go to bed.
• The government should do more to help homeless people.
• If you want to lose weight, you shouldn't eat so much chocolate.

B. Something is not right or what we expect

Examples

• I wonder where Liz is. She should be here by now.
• The price on this packet is wrong. It should be £10 not £12.

C. We expect something to happen

Examples

• She's been studying hard for her exam so she should pass.
• There are plenty of hotels in this town. It shouldn't be difficult to find somewhere to stay.

D. if + should = feeling that the possibility is very small

Examples

• If the chocolates in this box should be damaged, please return to factory.
• If you should need my help, don't hesitate to let me know.

E. Should have done = you didn't do it but it would have been the right thing to do.

Examples

• It was a great party! You should have come.
• I feel sick. I shouldn't have eaten so many sweets.

F. Ought to = Should (advice)

Examples

• Do you think I ought to apply for this job?
• It was a great party. You ought to have come.
• Children ought to respect their elders.

Emphatic Structures - Advanced

A. PASSIVE CONSTRUCTIONS

Emphasis on what happened - not who did it.

All roads to the north have been blocked by the police.

The hotel will be redecorated by a famous designer.

B. FRONTING AND INVERSION

(a) Fronting

We change the word order in a sentence in order to begin with a clause that wouldn't normally come first.

Where the money is coming from, I don't know.

Difficult as it may seem, it is not impossible to achieve.

(b) Inversion

We invert subject - verb for emphasis

Suddenly down came the rain.

Up into the air went the balloons.

Never have I seen such an amazing sight.

C. IT IS/ WAS + NOUN + THAT + WHO + VERB CLAUSE

This structure helps us to emphasize different parts of the sentence. In speech, intonation and pronunciation also identify the emphasis.

Example: Sue borrowed my bike last night

• It was Sue who borrowed my bike last night.
• It was last night that Sue borrowed my bike.
• It was my bike that Sue borrowed last night.

D. WHAT CLAUSES

WHAT + VERB CLAUSE + IS / WAS + NOUN

• What I hate is rainy weather.
• What you really need is a holiday.
• What Sue borrowed last night was my bike.

E. ADDING WORDS

1. Own - emphasis on possessive adjective

It was my own idea OR It was my very own idea ( for stronger emphasis on the possessive adjective)

 

2. Very / Indeed

When used emphatically, "very" means  exactly / precisely

- At the very same moment, the telephone rang.

- It was very cold, indeed!

 

3. AT ALL / IN THE LEAST / WHATSOEVER / REALLY

(to emphasize negatives)

• It wasn't cold at all!
• I wasn't in the least interested.
• There was nothing left at all, really.
• There was no ticket left at all, whatsoever.

 

4. THE - used to emphasize uniqueness and heavily stressed in speech

- Surely, you don't mean the Julia Roberts!

 

5. Question words ending in -ever. They add an air of disbelief.

• Whatever are you doing?
• Whoever told you that?
• Wherever did you go?

 

6. DO / DID -  emphasize the verb and are stressed in speech

• I do hope you'll come again.
• I did enjoy this film.

 

7. ADVERBS AND ADJECTIVES

• It was absolutely fantastic.
• I actually went inside one of the Pyramids.
• The hotel was extremely expensive.
• What she said was utter nonsense.
• Her performance was sheer magic.

 

8. Echoing phrases with so

A: This is the book you're looking for.

B: So it is!

A: Here I am! I've finally made it!

B: So you have!

 

9. Repetition

• David keeps reading the same book over and over again.
• I tried and tried but it was no use.
• We walked and walked but we couldn't find our way to the campsite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

English Usage - Test 1- Advanced - Answer Key

A.  Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Use the word given and other words to complete each sentence.  You must use between two and five words. Do not change the word given. The first one has been done for you.

 

1.  They thought the way he jumped the fence was amazing.

(amazed)

They were amazed at the way he jumped the fence.

2. It’s not my decision – it’s yours. (up)

It’s -------up to you to------------------------------- decide.

3. These tests have to be corrected. (need)

These ------tests need to be--------------------------- corrected.

4. He complained about his noisy neighbours. (complaint)

He -----------made a complaint about--------------------------------- his noisy neighbours.

5. Mr Smith is the owner of this house. (belongs)

This ------house belongs to------------------------------------ Mr Smith.

6. He was too scared to enter the haunted house. (bold)

He -------wasn't bold enough--------------------------- to enter the haunted house.

7. They made him admit to his guilt. (was)

He ------was made to admit (to)---------------------------------- his guilt.

8. She paid £5,000 for her new car. (cost)

Her -----new car cost------------------------------ her £5,000.

9. He finds it difficult to address large audiences. (has)

He ------has difficulty (in) addressing------------------------------ large audiences.

10. The station clock showed midnight. (according)

It----was midnight according to-------------------------------the station clock.

11. The Whites arrived here two hours ago. (been)

The Whites -------have been here for------------------------- two hours.

12. Barry finished his homework before the film started. (had)

By the time the film ------started, Barry had finished--------------------------- his homework.

13. She hadn’t expected to get so many presents. (such)

She hadn’t expected to get -----such a lot of-------------------- presents.

14. His decision to marry did not meet with his father’s approval. (approve)

His father ------did not approve of-------------------------------- his decision to marry.

15. It’s too cold for us to go swimming. (warm)

It --------isn't warm enough------------------------- for us to go swimming.

(15 marks)

 

B. Fill in the correct  particle. The first one has been done for you.

1. By stealing, Mark brought  about  his dismissal from work.  

2. The music brings -back-------- happy memories.

3. The author will bring ----out----- his new novel soon.

4. We managed to bring him -------round----- by splashing his face with water.

5. The meeting has been brought ---forward----- to tomorrow evening.

6. She was eventually brought ---round------ to my point of view.

7. They had to call--off------ the football match because of the weather.

8. My boss is calling ---on------- us tonight at 8 o’clock.

9. All men over 18 will be called --up----- to fight in the war.

10. This situation calls -for-------- immediate action.

(10 marks)

 

C. Fill in the correct preposition. The first one has been done for you.

1. Dave was very bad at maths and always failed the tests.

2. Sally was very bad --to---- her brother.

3. Dad can’t come to the phone. He’s busy ---with---- cooking.

4. The film is based --on------- a true story.

5. You can’t blame me ---for---- the accident; I wasn’t even there!

6. She always puts the blame --on---- me for things I haven’t done.

7. There will be an extra charge --for---- delivering the goods to your home.

8. The suspect has been arrested and charged --with----- robbery.

9. It’s very important nowadays to care ---about---- our environment.

10. Sarah was fond of Peter and cared ---for---- him very much.

11. You should take care --of----- your teeth.

12. Jane was clever -at---- history and always received the highest marks.

13. It was very clever --of---- you to find the answer.

14. The patient was complaining --of---- a pain in his chest.

15.The secretary was always complaining ---about--- having too much work.

(15 marks)

 

D. For questions 1-15, read the text below and choose the word which best fits each space. There is an example at the beginning (0).

1. Passengers travelling ( travelling/going/waiting/wanting) on a flight from Washington to London were in 1) ---for----- (for / at / on / with) a very long wait.  They had 2) --already---- (still/already/however/yet) been waiting eight uncomfortable hours for takeoff, only to be 3) -told-- (said/told/mentioned/announced) that the flight was 4) ---delayed-- (late/retarded/delayed/behind) even further.  The cabin crew advised passengers to take pillows and blankets from the overhead lockers in 5) --order--- (case/order/time/turn) to sleep inside the airport terminal.

Many passengers 6) -lost---- (mislaid/wasted/missed/lost) their tempers and fights broke. 7) -out---- (up/off/out/down). People shouted and 8) --demanded--- (asked/applied/demanded/took) information. A member of the staff panicked  and called airport security guards. A 9) -few---- (few/number/couple/little) lucky passengers were put on alternative flights. 10) -although----- (although/even/in spite/despite) about 100 others spent the next day in the airport.  Many people missed connecting flight and 11) -would--- (should/would/could/had) be delayed for several days.

First-class passengers were 12) --more---- (still/many/more/much) fortunate. They were put 13) -up---- (up/off/out/about) in luxury hotels and provided with food and drink. Other passengers had to be content with vouchers for a meal, as the airline staff were not able to find hotels with 14) -enough---- (much/enough/too/a lot) free rooms to accommodate them. One woman carried a silver horseshoe for 15) ---luck-- (fortune/chance/luck/probability). As she said: “ It didn’t work this time!”

(15 marks)

SOURCE : Round-Up 6 by Virginia Evans

English Usage - Test 1 - Advanced

A.  Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Use the word given and other words to complete each sentence.  You must use between two and five words. Do not change the word given. The first one has been done for you.

 

1.  They thought the way he jumped the fence was amazing.

(amazed)

They were amazed at the way he jumped the fence.

2. It’s not my decision – it’s yours. (up)

It’s -------------------------------------- decide.

3. These tests have to be corrected. (need)

These --------------------------------- corrected.

4. He complained about his noisy neighbours. (complaint)

He -------------------------------------------- his noisy neighbours.

5. Mr Smith is the owner of this house. (belongs)

This ------------------------------------------ Mr Smith.

6. He was too scared to enter the haunted house. (bold)

He ---------------------------------- to enter the haunted house.

7. They made him admit to his guilt. (was)

He ---------------------------------------- his guilt.

8. She paid £5,000 for her new car. (cost)

Her ----------------------------------- her £5,000.

9. He finds it difficult to address large audiences. (has)

He ------------------------------------ large audiences.

10. The station clock showed midnight. (according)

It-----------------------------------the station clock.

11. The Whites arrived here two hours ago. (been)

The Whites -------------------------------- two hours.

12. Barry finished his homework before the film started. (had)

By the time the film --------------------------------- his homework.

13. She hadn’t expected to get so many presents. (such)

She hadn’t expected to get ------------------------- presents.

14. His decision to marry did not meet with his father’s approval. (approve)

His father -------------------------------------- his decision to marry.

15. It’s too cold for us to go swimming. (warm)

It --------------------------------- for us to go swimming.

(15 marks)

 

B. Fill in the correct  particle. The first one has been done for you.

1. By stealing, Mark brought  about  his dismissal from work.  

2. The music brings --------- happy memories.

3. The author will bring --------- his new novel soon.

4. We managed to bring him ------------ by splashing his face with water.

5. The meeting has been brought -------- to tomorrow evening.

6. She was eventually brought --------- to my point of view.

7. They had to call-------- the football match because of the weather.

8. My boss is calling ---------- us tonight at 8 o’clock.

9. All men over 18 will be called ------- to fight in the war.

10. This situation calls --------- immediate action.

(10 marks)

 

C. Fill in the correct preposition. The first one has been done for you.

1. Dave was very bad at maths and always failed the tests.

2. Sally was very bad ------ her brother.

3. Dad can’t come to the phone. He’s busy ------- cooking.

4. The film is based --------- a true story.

5. You can’t blame me ------- the accident; I wasn’t even there!

6. She always puts the blame ------ me for things I haven’t done.

7. There will be an extra charge ------ delivering the goods to your home.

8. The suspect has been arrested and charged ------- robbery.

9. It’s very important nowadays to care ------- our environment.

10. Sarah was fond of Peter and cared ------- him very much.

11. You should take care ------- your teeth.

12. Jane was clever ----- history and always received the highest marks.

13. It was very clever ------ you to find the answer.

14. The patient was complaining ------ a pain in his chest.

15.The secretary was always complaining ------ having too much work.

(15 marks)

D. For questions 1-15, read the text below and choose the word which best fits each space. There is an example at the beginning (0).

1. Passengers travelling ( travelling/going/waiting/wanting) on a flight from Washington to London were in 1) -------- (for / at / on / with) a very long wait.  They had 2) ------ (still/already/however/yet) been waiting eight uncomfortable hours for takeoff, only to be 3) --- (said/told/mentioned/announced) that the flight was 4) ----- (late/retarded/delayed/behind) even further.  The cabin crew advised passengers to take pillows and blankets from the overhead lockers in 5) ----- (case/order/time/turn) to sleep inside the airport terminal.

Many passengers 6) ----- (mislaid/wasted/missed/lost) their tempers and fights broke. 7) ----- (up/off/out/down). People shouted and 8) ----- (asked/applied/demanded/took) information. A member of the staff panicked  and called airport security guards. A 9) ----- (few/number/couple/little) lucky passengers were put on alternative flights. 10) ------ (although/even/in spite/despite) about 100 others spent the next day in the airport.  Many people missed connecting flight and 11) ---- (should/would/could/had) be delayed for several days.

First-class passengers were 12) ------ (still/many/more/much) fortunate. They were put 13) ----- (up/off/out/about) in luxury hotels and provided with food and drink. Other passengers had to be content with vouchers for a meal, as the airline staff were not able to find hotels with 14) ----- (much/enough/too/a lot) free rooms to accommodate them. One woman carried a silver horseshoe for 15) ----- (fortune/chance/luck/probability). As she said: “ It didn’t work this time!”

(15 marks)

SOURCE : Round-Up 6 by Virginia Evans

Prepositions of Time

 

IN	ON	AT	NO PREPOSITION
months	days of the week	specific time	today
years	dates	the weekend	yesterday
seasons	my birthday	night	tomorrow
the morning	Christmas Eve	midnight	last week
the evening	Chirstmas Day	the same time	last month
the afternoon	New Year’s Eve	the moment	last year
	New Year’s Day	the age of	last Monday etc
	Easter Day
	on+name+day

 

Modals - Answer Key

Modals - Practice - Review

 

 

A. First write a synonym, then write the meaning of the verbs in bold type

ability (present / future) , ability(past) , possibility, deduction, permission, request, offer, suggestion, advice, criticism, absence of obligation / necessity, prohibition

Example: He can't speak German. ____He is not able to (ability - present)_________

1. He might be in his office. - He could be in his office (possibility)

2. You may go home now. - You can go home now. (permission)

3. Could you lend me £5 ? - Would you / Can you lend me £5? (request)

4. Shall we dance? - Let's dance. (suggestion)

5. You ought to take more exercise. - You should take more exercise. (advice)

6. She shouldn't have told you that. - She ought not to have told you that. (criticism)

7. You don't have to apologise. - You needn't / don't need to apologise. (absence of necessity)

8. I couldn't find my socks. - I wasn't able to find my socks. (past ability-negative))

9. She must have left her bag on the train. -  I think / it's probable that she left her bag on the train. (deduction)

10. I'll carry your bag if you like. - Shall I / Would you like me to carry your bag? (offer)

11. You mustn't make any noise. - You aren't allowed to / It's forbidden to make noise. (prohibition)

12. His car needs washing. - His car has to be washed. / He has to wash his car. (obligation / necessity)

13. We can go to the beach if you like. - Why don't we go to the beach? (suggestion)

 

B. Rephrase the following situations using an appropriate modal verb as in the example.

Example:

It's not possible that he's finished already - He can't have finished already

1. It wasn't necessary for you to give him a present. You  needn't have given him a present--------------------------------.

2. I advise you to stop eating chocolate. ---You should / ought to stop eating chocolate.---------------------------------------------------.

3. I insist that you do your homework. ---You must do your homework----------------------------------------------------.

4. It was wrong of him to kick the dog. ---He shouldn't have kicked the dog--------------------------------------------------.

5. It's possible that she's already phoned him. ---She may / might could have already phoned him------------------------------------------.

6. I'll take the dog out if you like. -------Shall I / Would you like me to take the dog out?----------------------------------------------------.

7. Will you let me speak to John, please? ---Can I / May I speak to John, please?------------------------------------------------?

8. Let's go to a restaurant. ----Shall we go to a restaurant?---------------------------------------------------------------

9. It's possible that he is lying. ---He may / might / could be lying-----------------------------------------------------------

10. He wasn't able to write until he was eight. ---He couldn't write until he was eight-----------------------------------------

11. You are not allowed to talk during the test. ---You mustn't talk during the test------------------------------------------

12. It would be a good idea for me to give up smoking. ---I should / ought to give up smoking-------------------------------

13. I'm sure he's gone home. ----He must have gone home------------------------------------------------------------

14. It isn't right to speak to your mother like that! - You shouldn't speak to your mother like that!

SOURCE: Round-Up 5 by Virginia Evans

Modals - Practice - Review

Grammar Reference 1

Grammar Reference 2

 

A. First write a synonym, then write the meaning of the verbs in bold type

ability (present / future) , ability(past) , possibility, deduction, permission, request, offer, suggestion, advice, criticism, absence of obligation / necessity, prohibition

Example: He can't speak German. ____He is not able to (ability - present)_________

1. He might be in his office.

2. You may go home now.

3. Could you lend me £5 ?

4. Shall we dance?

5. You ought to take more exercise.

6. She shouldn't have told you that.

7. You don't have to apologise.

8. I couldn't find my socks.

9. She must have left her bag on the train.

10. I'll carry your bag if you like.

11. You mustn't make any noise.

12. His car needs washing.

13. We can go to the beach if you like.

B. Rephrase the following situations using an appropriate modal verb as in the example.

Example:

It's not possible that he's finished already - He can't have finished already

1. It wasn't necessary for you to give him a present. You ------------------------------------.

2. I advise you to stop eating chocolate. ------------------------------------------------------.

3. I insist that you do your homework. -------------------------------------------------------.

4. It was wrong of him to kick the dog. -----------------------------------------------------.

5. It's possible that she's already phoned him. ---------------------------------------------.

6. I'll take the dog out if you like. -----------------------------------------------------------.

7. Will you let me speak to John, please? ---------------------------------------------------?

8. Let's go to a restaurant. -------------------------------------------------------------------

9. It's possible that he is lying. --------------------------------------------------------------

10. He wasn't able to write until he was eight. --------------------------------------------

11. You are not allowed to talk during the test. ---------------------------------------------

12. It would be a good idea for me to give up smoking. ----------------------------------

13. I'm sure he's gone home. ----------------------------------------------------------------

14. It isn't right to speak to your mother like that!

SOURCE: Round-Up 5 by Virginia Evans

The answer key will be posted tomorrow.

Modals, Semi-Modals and Modal Perfect

A. Modals

MODAL	USE	EXAMPLES
Can	1. ability in the present or future 2. informal request 3. informal permission	1. She can sing and dance. 2.  Can you call me at 5:00? 3.  You can go out and play now.
Could	1. past tense of can 2. possibility 3. polite request 4. suggestion	1.  He could speak four languages by the time he was 12. 2. Your books could be on your desk. 3. Could you please fill in this form for me? 4. We could meet outside the cinema, if you like.
May	1. possibility in the future 2. formal request only after I or We 3. formal permission 4. formally refuse permission	1. I may call you later today. 2. May I go out, please? / May we leave earlier today? 3.  You may sit down now. 4.  You may not leave the school.
Might	1. possibility in the future (slightly less possible than may) 2. negative possibility 3. past tense of may	1. I might hang out with my friends at the weekend. 2.  She might not be able to help you. 3.  I didn’t call him because I thought he might be busy at work.
Must	1. necessity 2.  almost certainty 3. obligation 4. strong recommendation	1. I must go now, it’s late. 2.  She’s been studying  all day. She must be tired. 3. You must take care of your pet. 4. You must read this book. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Mustn’t	Prohibition (not allowed)	You mustn’t  smoke in public places.
Should / ought to	1. give advice 2. ask for advice (should) 3. prediction	1. You should / ought to study harder. 2.  Should I reply to these emails today? 3. They should be / ought to be here soon.
Will	1. polite request 2. future prediction 3. on-the-spot decision about a future action 4. offer to do something 5. promise	1. Will you help me with my homework, please? 2. It will rain tomorrow 3.  I’ll call you tomorrow. 4.  Will you marry me? 5.  Don’t worry. I’ll water your plants while you are away, I promise.

Would	nformal request 2. repeated past action 3. past tense of will	1. Would you please sign this form? 2.  When grandpa was younger, he would go swimming every day. 3.  He promised he would call me every day.
Shall	Polite offer or request only  after I or We	Shall we dance? Shall I help with the cooking?
Needn’t	Lack of necessity	You needn’t get up early tomorrow, it’s a holiday.

 

B. Semi-Modals

Semi-Modal	Use	Examples
Be able to	1. general ability (similar to can) 2. specific ability in the past (managed to do something)	1.  He is able to join us tonight. / I  won’t be able to have lunch with you tomorrow. 2. Despite the stormy weather, we were able to cross the river safely.
Have to	Obligation / necessity (similar to must)	I have to go now, it’s late She had to work late last night You’ll have to come back again tomorrow.
Don’t have to	Lack of necessity (similar to needn’t / don’t need to)	I don’t have to work late on Saturdays.

 

C. Modal Perfect

Modal Perfect	Use	Examples
May / might have done	Uncertainty about what happened in the past	She was very tired when I saw her. She might have gone to sleep.
Should / ought to have done	1. obligation or expectation not completed in the past 2. advice not taken in the past	1. He should /  ought to have finished work by now. 2.  She didn’t pass her exam. She should  / ought to have studied harder.
Shouldn’t  have done	Criticism (it was the wrong thing to do)	You shouldn’t have eaten so much chocolate.
Could have done	1. uncertainty about what happened in the past (similar to may/might have done) 2. possibility about a past action which didn’t happen	1.  He could have left work earlier. 2.  I could have gone to the concert last night, but I finally decided to stay at home.
Can’t / couldn’t have done NOT mustn’t have done	Certainty that something did not happen in the past	He can’t / couldn’t have met you. He was asleep.
Must have done	Certainty that something happened in the past	She was very pale when I saw her yesterday. She must have caught a cold.
Would have done	Wishing we had done something in the past but didn’t do it	I would have arrived on time but I missed the bus.