Modalsl Modals I

ability; possibility; conclusíons, willingness, habitual events;

necessity, deduction; 'not necessary'; obligation

can/could
• Wr'll 'i t wcal ™ the nvwúand wlw can a/fon! seamd liom.es. (= general ability)
Look at these newspaper headlines. „ Befare the Inidge tms biiih we could on¡\ to the ishnd byferry. (= general ability i n the past)
What do you think the stories are about? muy I could I might
• Up to 100,000 people mar expericnce deiays. (= it's possible this will happen)
;' » Air passengers could be hit badly today. (- it's possible)
School evacuation in South Wales • // might be a number ofmonths hcfore the sports centre is back in operotton.
(= it's possible this is truc; less certain than muy or coidd)
will I would
e That will push up hmise ¡¡rices. (= prediction about the future)
• ¡f schools highlightnl the importuna ofphvsical exereise, diis would liare a majar positiva hnpaa cm children's
altitudes to sport. (= prediction about an imaginary situation)
)?1USÍ
• The cabin staff must aceepi the new working conditims. (= a rule or order)
• This negative attitude to sport mustn't be allowed to continué. (= it's not allowed or not a good idea)
Sport the answer to obesity crisis I don't nced to i needn't I don't have to
• toreras don't need to i needn't be very interested in sport themselves.
(= it's not necessarily true)
Borland link opened • l'm sute I don't have to spell out the chaos being caused in the airline industry.
(= it's not necessary)
ought to I should
• Parents ought to i should give their children whatever encouragement they can.
• 3a: Listen to a radio news summary and check whether you were right.
(= obligation and recommendatkm)
® 3 a ¡ Listen again and fill i n the gaps.
1 A i r passengers . )?<?. M badly today. 1 can, could, be able to: abiüty
2 The cabin staff the new working conditions. We can use be able to instead of can or could, particularly i n more formal contexts:
3 Firefighters the fire under control fairly quickly. The hotels on the ishnd are able to accommodate hundreds of visitón, or
'The hotels on the island can accommodate ... (less formal)
4 I think i t of great benefit to the island.
We use be able to to talk about ability on a specific occasion i n the past:
5 There restrictions on the number of people moving here.
Firefighters were able to hring the fire under control fairly quickly. (not Firefighters could bring...)
6 Schools a more active role i n encouraging children to take up sports. A We can use either could or be able to i n negatives i n the past:
7 They their children whatever encouragement they can. They couldn't I weren't able to prevent the fire damaging the school's sports centre.

8 It warm, sunny and dry, w i t h temperatures up to 22° C. We usually prefer can or could w i t h verbs of sense (e.g.feel, hear, see, smell, tosté) and verbs of
thinking (e.g. believe, remember, understand):
I n w h i c h of the extracts do the words you have w r i t t e n refer to: I can't believe Mr Wade is being so confrontational.
1 ability? .?. 4 possibility?
2 necessity? 5 prediction?
3 obligation?

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 We use be able to i n perfect tenses, -ing forms, infinitives, and after modal verbs: We use would to talk about willingness i n the future, i n conditionals, and when we say that we
We've now becn able to contad him. willing b u t unable to do something:
a r e

The film star hates not being able to leave her house. Many people would be happy to pay higher taxes for bettcr public services.
They've got to be able to adapt to change. The minister would be pleased to accept the invitation ifit were not for other commitments.
Parents migkt be able to help. ^ We don't use would to talk about willingness on a specific occasion i n the past:
A We prefer can and could i n passives: David Wade agrecd to meet the unión representatives. (not David Wado would agree ...)
The news can be read on our website.
We can use will (present) and would (past) to talk about characteristic behaviour or habits, or
To talk about a future ability, we use will be able to: p about things that are true now or were true i n the past:
Islanders won't be able to buy properties. E Some parents will actuaüy discourage their children from taking up a sport.
A We use can or be able to to talk about possible future arrangements and can Many passengers would get seasick during the crossing.
(or more politely could) to ask for permission:
We can use either would or used to to talk about things that happened repeatedly i n the past:
The President can't I is not able to visit the country until next month.
The crossing would I used to take over an hour at least.
Can I Could I ask you what you think of the new bridge?
A We don't use would to talk about past states:
We used to be terribly isolated here because the ferry service was so bad.
2 may, might, can, could: possibifity
(not We would be terribly isolated ...)
To talk about a more general possibility of something happening we can use can or may:
The temperature in the mountains can I may fall below freezing even at this time ofyear. 4 musí, havo (got) ten necessity, deduction
We use could to say that something was possible i n the past:
We can use either musr or have to to say that i t is necessary to do something, although have to
It could be a very rough journey too.
is less formal and is also preferred i n questions:
We don't use may to ask questions about the possibility of something happening. Instead we
Schools must I have to play a more active role in encoUraging children to take up sports.
use could or the phrase be likely to:
Could the negotiatvms finish today, do you think? When we say that something was necessary i n the past we use had to, not must:
What time is the meeting likely to finish? Up to ZOO teachers and pupils had to he evacuated from a school in South Wales today
Might is sometimes used i n questions, but is rather formal. To say something is necessary i n the future we use will have to:
To stay in business we will have to cut our costs.
c We can use these modals i n negative sentences, including those w i t h words like only or
g hardly, to say that things are not possible or that it is possible that things are not the case: We use must when we decide for ourselves that something is necessary or important:
The company can hardly be described as a success. (= i t is not possible to describe i t as a I must give you my email address.
success) Have to suggests that someone else or an outside circumstance or authority makes something
Be could never be aecused of being lazy. (= it is/was not possible to accuse him of this) necessary:
/ think we should cali off the strikc, but other people may I might not agree with me. The council has to cióse two city centre car parks following a health and safety repon.
(= it's possible that people don't agree with me)
We usually use must, rather than have to, when we conclude that something (has) happened or
that something is true:
3 will, would, used to: conclusions, wilfingness, habitúa! events The bridge must have cost afortune.
In negative conclusions we use can't or couldn't:
We can use will to draw conclusions or state assumptions about things we think are true:
That can't he right, surely? (not That mustn't be right, surcly?)
No doubt you will have heard the news by now.
Sometimes we can use either have to or have got to, although have got to is more informal.
We use will (not) to talk about (un) willingness or refusal to do something:
We use have to w i t h frequency adverbs and w i t h other modal verbs:
The minister says he will resiga if no solution is found.
Islanders normally have to queuefor hálfan hour to get on the ferry.
We will not be bullied by management.
The animes will have to return to the negotiating table.
The computer won't let me print documents.
If have is contracted (e.g. Tve), then we must include got:
They've got to be changed. (not They've to be changed.)
When we use the past simple we prefer had to rather than had got to:
The manager seemed to be doing a good job. Why did he have to go? (not Why had he got to go?)

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 Mecíais 1

5 didn't need to, didn't have to, needn't nave: not necessary 8 A: Donna says she'll definitely pay the money back.
To say i t was not necessary to do something i n the past, we use didn't need to or didn't have to: B: I wish I was able to I could trust her.
He didn't have to wait long for a response. (= he didn't actually wait long) 9 This camera is a bit cheaper than the other one, although i t mightn't I can't be as good,
To show that we think something that was done was not necessary, we use need not (needn't) of course.
have:
A l a n is talking to M a r t h a just before and after a job interview. Choose the correct verb.
The event organisers expected the had weather to affect ticket sales. However, they need not have
worried, as every ticket was sold. (= they worried b u t i t was not necessary) Sometimes more t h a n one is possible.
Before
S should, ought tos obligation A: What time (1) have you to I have you got to I must you be there by?
We can often use either should or ought to to talk about obligation (in giving advice and M : 10.30.
recommendations, saying what we think is a good idea and talking about responsibility): A: You (2) must I have to I have got to be really nervous.
/ think we ought to I should keep Borland for the islanders! (= it's a good idea or I recommend M : Terrified! But i t doesn't matter, I know I won't get the job.
this) M : You (3) haven't got to I mustn't I can't be sure of that. You've got just the right
The authorities ought to I should prosecute companies that cause pollution. (= talking about experience and qualifications.
responsibility)
A: But I feel so tense. I (4) can't I couldn't I mightn't créate a very good impression i n the
We can use either should or ought to to say that something is likely because we have planned i t interview.
or expect i t to happen: M : I ' m sure you'll be okay. You (5) should I must I ought to be more positive.
The contractors say the road will take five years to complete, but they should I ought to he able to
finish itfáster. After
We use shouldn't rather than oughtn't to i f something is unlikely: A: I got i t !
¡fyou're in the south ofthe country you shouldn't be troubled by any rain today. M : Congratulations! What (6) had you got to I must you I did you have to do?
A: Well, mainly I (7) had got to I had to I must tell them about why I wanted to work for
c The use of should and ought to is for actions or events the speaker sees as desirable.
the company.
| Otherwise, an alternative to the modal is used. Compare:
It should be sunny tomorrow. b u t You're likely lo see an occasional shower. M : A n d does the job sound good?
A: Fantastic. FU (8) have to I must I have got to do a lot of travelling.
M : Well that (9) oughtn't to I shouldn't I mustn't be a problem for you.
A: Not at all, and I may (10) must I have to I have got to spend some time at their office
i n Barcelona.
M : Well, I think we should certainly go out for a meal to celébrate.
El Choose the correct verb. Sometimes b o t h are possible. A: Good idea. But first I (11) have to I 've got to I must cali my parents and let them
1 Adult ladybirds may / might be black, red or yellow. know. They'll be waiting to hear from me.

2 We can I Weil be able to get into the city centre i n less than 20 minutes when the new Choose the correct sentence ending. Sometimes b o t h are possible.
railway line is finished. 1 I have to get up early tomorrow, so I
3 I left Doncaster because I wasn't able to I couldn't f i n d a job there. (a) mustn't be too late going to bed tonight.
b don't need to be too late going to bed tonight.
4 A: We've had a parcel delivered. It's from New Zealand.
B: Well, i t couldn't I mightn't be f r o m Ken. He's working i n Australia at the moment. 2 When we got to the station we found that the train was half an hour late, so we
a didn't need to rush after all.
5 A: I can't f i n d my purse anywhere.
b needn't have rushed after all.
B: May I Could you have left i t i n the restaurant?
3 The meeting will be quite informal, so you
6 Not so long ago, more than 20 species of fish could I were able to be found i n this river.
a don't need to wear a suit.
7 A: Apparently, there's been an accident i n the High Street. b don't have to wear a suit.
B: That might I could explain why the bus is taking so long.

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 Modals I

4 Fortunately, he wasn't badly h u r t i n the accident, so he This exercise tests

a needn't go to hospital. Exam practice grammar from the
rest of the book
b didn't need to go to hospital.
as well as the
5 Gwen has lost a lot of weight during her illness, so you
Ustening grammar in
í @ 3 ¿ ) You will hear three different extracts. Choose the answer (A, B or C)
which this unit.
a needn't look surprised when you see her again.
b mustn't look surprised when you see her again. flts best according to what you hear. There are two questions for each extract.

6 The tennis courts are open to the public, so you

a needn't be a member of the club to play here.
b mustn't be a member of the club to play here. Extract One |

7 The house was i n good condition when I bought it, so I You hear two people on a radio programme discussing music education for children.
a didn't need to decórate before I moved i n .
b didn't have to decórate before I moved i n . 1 What do the two people agree about?
8 As i t turned out, the exam was quite easy, so I A Young children should learn an instrument that needs a lot of concentration.
a didn't have to spend all that time revising. B Children should learn an instrument when they are young.
b needn't have spent all that time revising. C It is important for young children to learn some music theory.

Match the sentence beginnings and endings, completing t h e m w i t h one of the verbs i n 2 Why does the woman think the piano is not the best instrument for young children to learn?
the box. Use each verb once. A It is not possible to play simple tunes on the piano.
B Playing the piano can discourage children from learning another instrument.
shouldn't would could will be able to used to will wouldn't
C Most young children are not mature enough to learn the piano.

1 I said I ' d pay for her ticket but she - a cause dangerous driving conditions.
2 I n just a few years from now everybody \ take me too long. Extract Two
3 I still remember how they v. c accept my offer.
You hear part of an interview with a rock climber.
4 Forecasters are warning that heavy snow d play together so well as children.
3 In Ben's view, what is the best way to improve as a climber?
5 Flere's some really nice cheese that I don't e watch T V on their computers.
think you A take the advice of other climbers
B learn from the mistakes you make
6 We live i n an oíd house that f belong to a politician.
C watch more experienced climbers
7 Writing m y geography assignment g have tasted before.
4 Why does Ben prefer to climb with others when it is icy?
1 J....JÍ'Á..fftv..fot..,bí?t..i&Kst..tWit..sh?. wouldri't_acozpi,.my.pffgt..
A He can learn new techniques from them.
2 B He gets nervous in icy conditions.
3 C He lacks experience in icy conditions.
4
5
6
7

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 Moríais 1

Extract Three i Writing

l You work for a large company based in a town
You hear part of an interview with a well-known restaurant critic called Amanda Downing. centre. Most of the employees of the company
drive to work. The director of the company has
5 According to Amanda, how do most waiters react when they realise she is a restaurant critic? asked you to prepare a proposal on reducing car
A They give her special attention. use by employees including:
B They get very nervous.
e an outline of why ¡t would be a good thing to
C They give her free food or drink.
reduce car use
6 In what way, according to Amanda, are most restaurant owners completely wrong? e possible ways of achieving this
A They think customers choose a restaurant only for its quality of service. • • problems in introducing changes
B They misjudge customers' motivation for going to restaurants.
e your recommendations on what should be done.
C They think that they have different priorities to their customers.

Write your proposal in 300-350 words.

Grammar focus task

Complete these extracts f r o m the recordíngs. Two options are possible i n each
sentence.
This task gives you the chance to practise modal verbs to:
1 As well as improving manual dexterity and concentration, i t seems that i t • make recommendations
help emotional development, too. (could I may I must) The company should consider giving grants for staff to buy bicycles.
2 But a rather academic approach like that turn children off for life it The reliability ofpublic transpon needs to be improved.
c talk about the possible consequences of changes
they're not ready for it. (ought to I will I can)
This would be a popular move among staff.
3 But at the end of the day you learn independently, through trial and This could decrease the use of prívate cars.
error. (Ve got to I should I 've to)
4 When I was younger I do most of my climbing during summer
holidays, and I haven't done much winter climbing. (would I might I used to)
5 You're such a household ñame, it be terrifying for staff when you go
into a restaurant, (must I should I could)
6 It be considered unethical to accept a gift like that.
(could I would I 's got to be)

Now listen again and compare your answers w i t h what the speakers actually say.

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