Question

MODAL VERBS USES

CAN Ability – I can speak English, but I can´t speak French. (TO BE ABLE TO)

Possibility / Suggestion – I can go with you on Tuesdays.

Request – Can you please open the door? (more informal language)

Prohibition – You can´t smoke here. It’s not allowed.

COULD Ability in the past – I could run fast when I was a child, now I’m too old for that.

Possibility / Suggestion – He could go by plane, but he is afraid.

Polite request – Could you do me a favor?

MAY Permission / Formal request – May I go to the toilet?

Possibility – I may not go to the party. I´m not well.

MIGHT Possibility – She might go to Japan next year.

WOULD Conditional – She would travel, if she had money.

Hypothetical situations – I would love to be rich.

Polite request – Would you come with me?

SHOULD/ OUGHT TO Recommendation / Advice – You should see the dentist twice a year.

Opinion – I shouldn’t have spoken to him like that.

MUST (*HAVE TO) Obligation – You must pay in cash/ You have to pay in cash.

Necessity – I must go now /I have to go now. My mom is waiting.

Deduction/ Logical conclusion – She must be very tired today. She worked all night.

MUSTN’T Prohibition – You mustn’t park here.






A) Classifique os usos dos modais nas frases abaixo de acordo com a tabela:

1. He may be in the office. _______________________________________________________

2. You mustn’t smoke in the hospital. ______________________________________________

3. You can take a taxi on the corner. _______________________________________________

4. I can give you a ride to school. _________________________________________________

5. It’s late, she must be at home. _________________________________________________

6. Would you lend me some money? _______________________________________________

7. You may use pen or pencil in the test. ___________________________________________

8. She would go, if she had a boyfriend. ____________________________________________

9. You must pay your bills. ______________________________________________________

10. If I had time, I would visit you. ________________________________________________

11. They may go to the movies tonight. _____________________________________________

12. They can play chess very well. _________________________________________________

13. I could play volleyball when I was younger. _______________________________________

14. He can swim very well._______________________________________________________

15. They can´t be sad. They’re laughing. ____________________________________________

16. She can speak English and Spanish._____________________________________________

17. We must be back at 10 p.m. __________________________________________________

18. He might be playing tennis. ___________________________________________________

19. You can´t leave the classroom now. ____________________________________________

20. She could be here already. ____________________________________________________

21. You should go to the doctor. You are sick. ________________________________________

22. You must be kidding me! _____________________________________________________

23. May I take that chair? ________________________________________________________

24. Could you open the window? It´s hot. ___________________________________________

25. You may go now. ___________________________________________________________

26. Kevin might not pass the English exams. _________________________________________

27. Helen might be watching TV at home. ___________________________________________

28. I must study hard for the math test. ____________________________________________

29. I must hurry. My class starts at 7. ______________________________________________

30. You should buy some new clothes. ______________________________________________

31. You mustn’t drink and drive. __________________________________________________

32. We could go to the park this weekend. __________________________________________

33. May I come in? _____________________________________________________________

34. It´s late. You should go home. _______________________________________
35. She must live near the school because she comes on foot. ___________________________

36. I may go to the mall tomorrow. ________________________________________________

37. You can´t use the cell phone in class. ___________________________________________

38. Would you help me, please? ___________________________________________________

39. Can I see your book? ________________________________________________________

40. Would you do me a favor? ____________________________________________________

41. Brian might not come to the party. _____________________________________________

42. She might be at home, I’m not sure. ___________________________________________​

Answer 1

Resposta:

1 possibility

2 Prohibition

3 Possibility/ suggestion

4 Possibility/suggestion

5 Deduction/ logical conclusion

6 Polite request

7 Possibility

8 Conditional

9 Obligation

10 Conditional

11 Possibility

12 Ability

13 Ability in the past

14 Ability

15 Possibility

16 Ability

17 Obligation

18 Possibility

19 Prohibition

20 Possibility

21 Recommendation / advice

22 Deduction/ logical conclusion

23 Permission/ formal request

24 Polite Request

25 Permission

26 Possibility

27 Possibility

28 Necessity

29 Necessity

30 Recommendation

31 Prohibition

32 Possibility / suggestion

33 Formal Request

34 Advice

35 Deduction/ logical conclusion

36 Possibility

37 Prohibition

38 Polite Request

39 Request

40 Polite Request

41 Possibility

42 Possibility