Complete the sentences using modals. More than one answer for each item may be possible.
1 I drive you to the physiotherapist tomorrow? (offer)
2 you please email me that article on oxygen bars? (request)
3 They have warned her about the dangers of plastic surgery. (criticism)
4 The nutritionist be able to help him follow a healthier diet. (probability)
5 Luckily, Denise contain her anger when she heard all those lies being told about her. (past ability)
6 The dentist isn’t answering his phone; he be busy. (logical assumption)
7 John handle stressful situations very easily. (inability)
8 You sleep over at your friend’s tonight. (permission)
Choose the correct item.
Hi fellow bloggers! I’ve been having problems sleeping lately. Any suggestions about how I 1) ought to/can relax? Thanks, Ellen.
Hi Ellen, you 2) must/can be suffering from mild stress. This happened to me a few years ago. School kept me so busy that I felt I 3) didn’t need to/mustn't take any time off to relax. Before long I had all the classic symptoms of stress. You 4) shouldn’t/couldn’t let the same thing happen to you. You 5) shall/had better make time for yourself to do things you enjoy, like sports, socialising or even just watching TV.
Hey Ellen! 6) Why don't/Shall you set aside some time each day to exercise? It 7) must/could help you calm down after a busy day. You 8) needn't/might not do anything too strenuous, but you 9) might/will certainly feel more relaxed afterwards. And remember, we all get sleepless nights, but if the problem gets worse, you 10) had to/must see a doctor. Take care!
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word given. Use between two and five words.
1 I’m sure Chloe is feeling terrible about her outburst of anger now.MUST Chloe must be feeling terrible about her outburst of anger now.
2 It wasn’t necessary for you to drive me to the doctor’s but I appreciate your doing so. HAVE You need me a lift to the doctor’s but I appreciate your doing so.
3 The laughter yoga class will definitely make you feel better. BOUND The laughter yoga class you feel better.
4 Lisa found keeping calm impossible. ABLE Lisa calm.
5 It’s certain that Ben didn’t lie to Sarah. HAVE Ben to Sarah.
6 Booking the tickets was your responsibility. SUPPOSED You the tickets.
- I can offer to drive you to the physiotherapist tomorrow if you need a ride. Is that something you would like?
Explanation: The speaker is offering their help and asking if the person needs a ride. They use the modal verb "should" to ask for permission to provide assistance.
2) Could you please email me that article on oxygen bars? (request)
- I would greatly appreciate it if you could send me the article on oxygen bars through email. Is that something you can do?
Explanation: The speaker is politely asking the person to send them the article. They use the modal verb "could" to make a polite request.
3) They should have warned her about the dangers of plastic surgery. (criticism)
- It was their responsibility to warn her about the dangers of plastic surgery. They made a mistake by not doing so.
Explanation: The speaker is expressing their criticism because someone failed to warn her about the dangers of plastic surgery. They use the modal verb "should" to indicate that it was the expected or correct action.
4) The nutritionist should be able to help him follow a healthier diet. (probability)
- It is likely that the nutritionist will be able to assist him in following a healthier diet.
Explanation: The speaker believes that it is highly probable or likely that the nutritionist has the necessary skills and knowledge to help him with his diet. They use the modal verb "should" to indicate strong probability or expectation.
5) Luckily, Denise was able to contain her anger when she heard all those lies being told about her. (past ability)
- Fortunately, Denise possessed the ability to control her anger when she became aware of the lies being spread about her.
Explanation: The speaker acknowledges Denise's ability to control her anger in the past. They use the modal verb "was able to" to indicate past ability or capability.
6) The dentist isn't answering his phone; he must be busy. (logical assumption)
- Considering the dentist's unavailability on the phone, it is logical to assume that he is occupied or engaged in other tasks.
Explanation: The speaker makes a logical assumption based on the fact that the dentist is not picking up their phone. They use the modal verb "must" to express a logical deduction or conclusion.
7) John can't handle stressful situations very easily. (inability)
- John lacks the ability to handle or cope with stressful situations easily.
Explanation: The speaker states that John struggles or is unable to manage stressful situations with ease. They use the modal verb "can't" to indicate the lack of ability.
8) Can you sleep over at your friend's tonight? (permission)
- Would it be possible for you to spend the night at your friend's house tonight?
Explanation: The speaker is asking for permission or seeking information about the person's ability to spend the night at their friend's house. They use the modal verb "can" to ask for permission or ability.