Modal verbs Modal verbs: A strange movie Fill in the gaps with the correct forms of the following modal verbs and make sure they are in the correct tenses. can cannot (2x) might not be able to have to Karen lay in the grass for a few minutes and was astonished and disoriented, but then decided to rise to her feet. “Where am I?” she asked herself, “This 1 only be a dream – or rather a nightmare.” She tried to walk, but 2 . Looking down to her feet, she suddenly shuddered: These were not her own shoes, her own shorts, her own legs. It was not herself standing there in the grass. She 3 walk, or rather she 4 even take one single step. Being somehow paralysed, she 5 sit down again and think. Not allowing herself to stand up again, she sat in the grass for some more minutes, waiting for help. How long 6 this go on for, she wondered. Using modal verbs in the past tense Imagine you took part in a strange reality TV show. Write about what you could do there and the rules you had to obey. Include the following aspects and use as many modal verbs as appropriate in their correct form. • daily routine • activities • clothes • food • communication can may must need needn’t mustn’t not be able to not be allowed to should shall ought to Grammar For more details see G 5 Modal Verbs: Meaning and usage • Modal verbs add additional meaning (= modify) to the main verb. Among other things they express ability (with can), permission (with may) or strong obligation (with must). • Modal verbs do not take an -s-ending in the present simple, 3rd person singular. He can speak Chinese. She must stay at home. • To make modal verbs negative use not. You cannot park here! He should not be late. • Most modal verbs are not used in the past or future tenses. Substitute forms are used instead. can to be able to I couldn’t/wasn’t able to finish the book in time. may/might to be allowed to Peter wasn’t allowed to go to the party. must to have to You will have to study hard for school this year. G Tip Remember • must = müssen You must send me that new song! • must not = nicht dürfen You must not forget Grandma’s birthday! T 1 2 67 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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