MODALS practice in the past and the present

1. Which of the following modals expresses urgency?

• Should

• Had better

• have/has to

• Have got to

Answer explanation

Urgency is usually communicated with modal "have got to" or "has got to" in the present.

Ex.

I have got to use the restroom right now!

She has got to finish her report on time.

He has got to control his temper during the meeting.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which of the following modals expresses advice the most politely?

• should

• must

• could

• ought to

Answer explanation

We use "could" to express advice politely in English. It's usually NOT a good idea to give advice unless someone asks you to.

Ex. You could study on the afternoons so that you have time to work.

She could join a club so that she has more friends.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

3. 3. Which of these modals express advice? (CHOOSE ALL THE POSSIBLE ANSWERS)

• have to/ has to

• ought to

• should

• could

Answer explanation

Should, could and ought to are the correct answers. They ALL express advice with a difference in intention:

• *When you want to command more authority use "ought to"

• *When you want to be polite use "could"

• *When somebody asks you for advice use "should"

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which of these modals expresses a lack of necessity?

• don't/doesn't have to

• shouldn't

• must not

• none of the above

Answer explanation

Have/has to in the negative form expresses a lack of necessity or that what you say is optional. ONLY in the NEGATIVE FORM

Ex.

They don't have to come to school this Friday.

She doesn't have to bring any extra materials to class.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which of the following modals express obligation? (Choose all the possible answers)

• Have/has got to

• must

• ought to

• have/has to

Answer explanation

In English, we use "have/has to", "have/has got to" and "must" to express obligations. All of them express the same intent but may communicate additional things:

* have/has to is the most common

Ex. I have to go to my dentist appointment tomorrow morning.

*must expresses more formality and authority.

Ex. You must have your ID ready for the test.

• *have/has got to expresses urgency and informality.

• Ex. She has got to arrive early tomorrow for our presentation.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Reorder the following:

• have to

• a present

• bring

• She

• doesn't

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1J

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.4.1C

Reorder the following

• homework yesterday.

• He

• finished his

• have

• ought to

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Reorder the following

• finish the presentation

• so that her boss

• She had to

• last night

• approved it on time.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1E

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

Reorder the following

• have to

• Does she

• constantly

• criticize everything

• ?

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Reorder the following

• a lot

• suffered

• to act like this.

• They must

• have

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B