English exercises / A2 / Verbs & tenses

Modal verbs

can, must, should, have to: obligation, advice and deduction.

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Modal verbs

Modal verbs: worked examples

Five from the set, with the answer filled in and the rule that decides it. The remaining questions are in the answer key below.

  1. 01

    She grew up in Rome, so she can speak Italian perfectly.

    Modals take the bare infinitive and never add -s: she can speak.

  2. 02

    When he was six years old, he could already play the piano.

    'could' is the past of 'can' for a general ability.

  3. 03

    In a few months you will be able to hold a whole conversation in English.

    'can' has no future form, so we use 'will be able to'.

  4. 04

    The music was so loud that we couldn't hear each other.

  5. 05

    Excuse me, may I come in?

    'May I ...?' is the formal way to ask for permission.

Answer key: all 24 questions
  1. 01She grew up in Rome, so she can speak Italian perfectly.
  2. 02When he was six years old, he could already play the piano.
  3. 03In a few months you will be able to hold a whole conversation in English.
  4. 04The music was so loud that we couldn't hear each other.
  5. 05Excuse me, may I come in?
  6. 06At this school, students are allowed to use the computers after four o'clock.
  7. 07You can borrow my bike if you like: I don't need it today.
  8. 08You mustn't use your phone during the exam, it is strictly forbidden.
  9. 09Tomorrow is a holiday, so we don't have to get up early.
  10. 10Lunch is included, so you don't have to bring any food with you.
  11. 11You can't park here, this space is for buses only.
  12. 12All visitors have to sign in at reception: those are the rules.
  13. 13The lift was broken yesterday, so we had to walk up eight floors.
  14. 14I really must phone my grandmother: I haven't spoken to her for weeks.
  15. 15You look tired. You should go to bed earlier.
  16. 16He's been coughing for weeks. He ought to see a doctor.
  17. 17The train leaves in five minutes. We had better hurry.
  18. 18The lights are off and the car has gone. They must be away.
  19. 19That can't be Sara at the door, she's in Berlin this week.
  20. 20Take an umbrella, it might rain this afternoon.
  21. 21Whose bag is this? It could be Tom's, he was sitting here.
  22. 22The grass is wet. It must have rained during the night.
  23. 23She can't have seen my message: her phone was switched off all day.
  24. 24I can't find my keys. I might have left them at the café, but I'm not sure.
The rule behind it
  • Must vs have toMust is obligation you impose on yourself; have to is obligation imposed from outside.
  • Can vs could vs be able toCan covers present ability, could covers general past ability, and be able to fills every gap the two modals cannot reach: the future, the perfect, and any position after another modal.
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