SFL/ METU
Dept of B.E.
REVISION
March 2017
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE GROUP
(Student’s Copy)
MODAL VERBS AND MODAL-LIKE EXPRESSIONS
ABILITY
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
manage to
Example
Tom is strong. He can lift that heavy box.
Dogs can bark but they cannot/can’t talk.
I used to be a good swimmer. I could swim long distances when I was a teenager.
With a sudden burst of adrenaline, John was able to lift the car off the child's leg.
(ability during a specific event in the past)
I haven’t been able to contact him for some time.
After I have finished my work, I will be able to help Alice with her homework.
He might be able to join the group later.
After trying for three hours, the rescue team managed to lift the car off the child's leg.
succeed in + Ving
After trying for three hours, the rescue team succeeded in lifting the car off the child's leg.
can / could
be able to
OBLIGATION & NECESSITY
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
must
have to
have got to
need to
Example
All applicants must take an entrance exam. (It is necessary for every applicant to
take an entrance exam. There is no other choice. The exam is required.)
Where’s Sue? I must talk to her right away. I have an urgent message for her.
(The speaker is strongly saying, “This is very important!”)
Students have to wear uniforms at school.
I’m looking for Sue. I have to talk to her about our lunch date tomorrow.
She has had to work hard all her life.
He had to study last night.
I will have to wake up early when I start work next month.
They might have to work overtime next week.
I have got to go now. I have a class in ten minutes.
All applicants need to take an entrance exam.
(It is necessary for every applicant to take an entrance exam. There is no other
choice.)
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Prohibition and Lack of Obligation / Necessity
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
must not /
mustn’t
Example
You must not look in the closet. Your birthday present is hidden there. (Do not
look in the closet.)
Soldiers must not disobey a superior officer.
You cannot smoke in a closed area. (It is forbidden to smoke in a closed area.)
cannot / can’t
As it is a holiday tomorrow, we don’t have to / don’t need to / needn’t go to
school. (It is not necessary for us to go to school tomorrow because it is a
don’t have to / don’t need to holiday.)
I can hear you. You don’t have to / don’t need to / needn’t shout.
/ needn’t
Jim didn’t have to / didn’t need to go to school because the professor was ill
that day. (Jim knew that the professor was ill, so he didn’t go to school as it
wasn’t necessary for him to do so.)
It is used when the speaker wants to express that the action was actually
unnecessary.
needn’t have +V3
Liz needn’t have gone to school to submit her term paper because the professor
was ill that day. (Liz didn’t know that the professor was ill, but she went to school to
submit her term paper. However, it wasn’t necessary for her to do so.)
ADVISABILITY
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
should /
ought to
had better/
‘d better
Example
You should / ought to study harder. (This is a good idea. This is my advice.)
Drivers should / ought to obey the speed limit. (This is an important
responsibility.)
You shouldn’t leave your keys in the car.
Children ought not to spend long periods in front of a computer screen.
It expresses the best thing to do in a particular situation. It often has a sense of
urgency and can be a warning or a threat. It has a present or future meaning,
and it is more common in speaking than writing.
The gas tank is almost empty. We had better stop at the next service station. (If
we don’t stop at a service station, we will run out of gas.)
You had better take care of that cut on your hand soon, or it will get infected.
You’d better not be late for the second time.
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CERTAINTY
Certainty in Positive Statements
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
must
may
might
could
Example
A: “Why isn’t John in class?”
B: “He must be ill.” (Usually he is in class every day, but yesterday he wasn’t
feeling good, so my best guess is that he is ill today. I can’t think of another
possibility.)
A: “Why wasn’t John in class?”
B: “He must have been ill.” (I saw John yesterday and found out that he was
ill. I assume that is the reason why he was absent. Otherwise, he always comes
to class. I can’t think of any other good reason.)
A: “Why isn’t John in class?”
B: “He may / might / could be ill.” (I don’t really know. He may be at home. He might
be at the library. He could be out of town. I am only making a guess. I can think of
other possibilities.)
A: “Why wasn’t Mary in class yesterday?”
B: “She may have / might have / could have been ill.”
(I don’t really know. This is one possibility I can think of. I am only making a
guess.)
* Please note that could have+V3 can also be used to describe a past opportunity
which wasn’t taken.
I could have gone to university after leaving school, but I chose to get a job
instead.
Certainty in Negative Statements
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
Example
A: “Isn’t Sam hungry?”
B: “He can’t / couldn’t be hungry. He’s just eaten a huge meal” (It’s impossible for
couldn’t
him to be hungry because I saw him eat a huge meal.)
can’t
A: “Wasn’t Sam hungry?”
B: “He can’t / couldn’t have been hungry.” (It was impossible for him to be hungry
because I had seen him eat a huge meal.)
A: “Why isn’t Sam eating anything?”
must not
B: “He must not be hungry.” (That’s the only reason I can think of.)
may not
might not
A: “Why isn’t Sam eating anything at lunch?”
B: “He may not / might not be hungry.” (I don’t know. Maybe he doesn’t feel well or
perhaps he ate just before he got here. Who knows?)
A: “Why didn’t Sam eat anything at lunch?”
B: “He may not / might not have been hungry. I don’t really know.”
Certainty in Future Time
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
may
might
could
Example
Kay may / might / could do well on the test. (I don’t really know. This is one
possibility I can think of. I am only making a guess.)
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CRITICISM / REGRET
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
should have + V3
ought to have + V3
Example
I didn’t do well on the test this morning because I didn’t study for it last night.
I should have / ought to have studied last night.
(Studying was a good idea but I didn’t do it. I made a mistake.)
My back hurts. I should not have carried that heavy box up two flights of stairs.
(I carried the box, and now I’m sorry.)
EXPECTATION
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
Example
It expresses the idea that someone (I, they, the teacher, lots of people, etc.) expects
something to happen. It often expresses expectations about scheduled events,
correct procedures, or behavior.
be supposed to
The game is supposed to begin at 10:00.
The committee is supposed to vote by secret ballot.
I am supposed to go to the meeting. My boss told me that he wants me to attend.
The past form was/were supposed to expresses unfulfilled expectations.
Jack was supposed to call me last night. I wonder why he didn’t. (The speaker
expected Jack to call, but he didn’t.)
PERMISSION
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
may
could
might
can
Example
May I borrow your pen (please)?
When you finish the test, you may leave.
Could I borrow your pen (please)?
Might I borrow your pen (please)?
Hey Jack, can I borrow your pen?
I’m not quite ready to go but you can leave if you’re in a hurry. I’ll meet you later.
REQUESTS
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
Would
Could
Will
Can
Example
Would
Could
Will
Can
you (please) fill in the form (,please)?
PROGRESSIVE FORMS OF MODALS
Modal Verb /
Modal-like Expressions
in PRESENT time
modal+ be + Ving
in PAST time
modal+have+been+Ving
Example
Let’s just knock on the door lightly. Tom may be sleeping. (right now)
All of the lights in Ann’s room are turned off. Seeing the time, she must be
sleeping. (right now)
Sue wasn’t at home last night when we went to visit her. She might have been
studying at the library. After all, it’s her exam week.
Joe wasn’t at home last night. He has a lot of exams coming up soon, and he is also
working on a term paper. He must have been studying at the library.
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