English Grammar and Composition chapter 2: Modals

Unit Two

Modals

A. Look at the underlined words in the following sentences. Guess what these words are called.

1. Desk officer : How can I help you, sir?

   Client : I want to open a savings account with your bank.

2. Father : Will you go to your tutor today?

   Son : Yes, I will. Shall I take your umbrella?

   Father : Oh sure. Take it. The sky looks cloudy; it might rain.

3. Nabila : It’s already late evening. You should not go out now.

   Bipul : Don’t worry, I will come back very soon.

4. Liftman : Sir, which number shall I press for you?

   Gentleman : 7, if you would please!

5. Student : May I come in, sir?

   Teacher : You should come early; now please get in.

6. Brother : Could I use your pen?

   Sister : Yes, you can.

Note: These words are called modals. Modals are a special kind of auxiliary verbs which have different functions. Look at the sentences below with various meanings of ‘can’ and also the table showing different modals with different functions.

a. Can I give you a cup of tea? (offer)

b. You can come to our party. (invitation)

c. Excuse me, can you please show me the way to the photocopy shop? (request)

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B. Now read the sentences in section A above and tell your partner the functions of different modals.

C. Use a modal in the gaps of the following sentences:

1. Teacher:Don’t be disappointed about your poor marks. I ______talk with you about your problems on Thursday after the classes.

   Student: Thank you, sir.

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2. Shanta: One of our friends got the first prize in the book reading competition. Guess who it is.

   Maniza: It ________________be Shubhro. Am I right?

3. Rafat: Look, who is walking there, Sadia?

   Arian: Yes, it looks like Sadia but it ____________be Nadia as well.

4. If you had more money, you _________buy this dress.

5. Excuse me, _____________ you tell me which way I ______________ go to the library?

6. Waiter: Madam, what _____________ you like for drinks?

   Customer: Coke please.

7. There ___________ be a huge queue for concert tickets. You ________________ be there much early.

8. Sir, _________you please clarify the last point you have just mentioned?

9. People are crazy about fast food these days. You _________ avoid it as much as possible.

10. You have got the maximum number of prizes in the sports. You ________ be excited now.

D. Write five sentences using ‘can’ or ‘can’t’ along with words from the box. One is done for you:

I can play chess but my sister can’t.

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E. How many things could you do when you were much younger? One is done for you:

I could climb a tree when I was 10 years old.

Write five sentences like this:

F. Make five request sentences from this table using ‘could I’, ‘may I’ and ‘could you’:

1. May I have something to eat please?

2. ---

3. ---

4. ---

5. ---

6. ---