A Grammar and Usage Programme For GP - Module 6
A Grammar and Usage Programme For GP - Module 6
A Grammar and Usage Programme For GP - Module 6
Module 6
Tenses 4: Modals
1) Modals are always the first word in a verb group. All modals except ‘ought’
are followed by the base form (infinitive) of a verb.
I must leave fairly soon.
I think it will look rather nice.
Things might have been so different.
People may be watching.
3) Modals have only one form. There is no ‘-s’ form for the third person
singular of the present tense, and there are no ‘-ing’ or ‘-ed’ forms.
There’s nothing I can do about it.
I’m sure he can do it.
4) You use ‘can’ to say that something is possible. You use ‘could’, ‘might’,
and ‘may’ to indicate that you are not certain whether something is possible,
but you think it is.
Cooking can be a real pleasure.
That could be one reason.
He might come.
They may help us.
6) You use ‘can’ to talk about ability in the present and in the future. You use
‘could’ to talk about ability in the past.
You can all read and write.
Anybody can become a qualified teacher.
You could run faster than anyone else.
‘Could’ is more polite than ‘can’. ‘May’ is also used to ask permission, but this
is more formal.
1
Could I just interrupt a minute?
May I have a cigarette?
(Note: Students often say “May I know where Mr Koh is?” This is
grammatically incorrect. You don’t ask for permission when you are asking for
information. The correct form should be “Could you tell me where Mr Koh is?”)
Exercise 1
Complete these sentences using ‘could’ (possibility).
Exercise 2
Rewrite the parts of the sentence in italics, using either ‘must’ or ‘must have’.
1) Our house is in Bradford Road too. We probably live very close to you.
We must live very close to you.
2) His car’s not in the garage. I suppose he has taken it to work.
He must have taken it to work.
3) Peter has worked here for ages. I’m sure he knows the answer.
__________________________________________________________.
4) The children aren’t at home. They’ve probably left for school.
__________________________________________________________.
5) It’s a very well known book. I’m sure you’ve read it.
__________________________________________________________.
6) It’s dreadfully busy. I suppose this is the rush hour.
__________________________________________________________.
2
Exercise 3
Use these phrases with ‘can’ and ‘can’t’ to complete the sentences below.
can hear can’t hear can see can’t see can smell can’t smell
Exercise 4 (Revision)
Choose the right tenses (present perfect, past or past perfect: simple or
continuous)
(CKH/TJD 2008)