Modal verbs

Modal verbs express an ability, permission, wish etc. to do something. (I may, can, must swim.) Many modal verbs cannot be used in all of the English tenses. That's why we need to know the substitutes to these modal verbs.

Modal Verb	Substitute	Example
must	to have to	I must swim. = I have to swim.
must not	not to be allowed to	I must not swim. = I am not allowed to swim.
can	to be able to	I can swim. = I am able to swim.
may	to be allowed to	I may swim. = I am allowed to swim.
need	to have to	I need to swim. = I have to swim.
need not	not to have to	I need not swim. = I don't have to swim.
shall / should/ ought to	to be supposed to / to be expected to / to be to	I shall / should / ought to swim. = I am supposed to swim. / I am expected to swim. / I am to swim.

A. Choose the correct substitute for each modal verb.

1.We ought to win the race. → We are able/to are allowed/to are supposed to win the race.

2.I can swim. → I have to /am able to/am supposed to swim.

3.You must meet my best friend. → You have to/are able to/are allowed to meet my best friend.

4.He should be in bed by now. → He has to/is allowed to/is supposed to be in bed by now.

5.I must get up early. → I have to/am able to/am allowed to get up early.

6.They may stay up late. → They have to/are allowed to/are supposed to stay up late.

7.She needs to see the doctor. → She has to/is able to/is allowed to see the doctor.

8.We need not walk. → We do not have to/are not able to/are not supposed to walk.

9.You must not sleep → You do not have to/are not able to/are not allowed to sleep.

10.Should I go to the cinema with them? → Am I able to/Am I allowed to/Am I supposed to go to the cinema with them?

B. Choose the correct modal verb (must, must not, ought to, need not, may, cannot)

1.You ________ get up early tomorrow.

2.You ________call a baby sitter.

3.We ________ watch the film tonight.

4.He ________see me yesterday.

5.She________ stay at school yesterday afternoon.

6.________go to the disco yesterday?

7.He______sleep now.

8.You_______ answer.

9.He_______give evidence at the court yesterday.

10.Since he bought the new car he _______ sleep.

SPEAKING

A. Work in pairs. Find out how your partner understands the following statements:

1. For most of us, “seeing is believing”.

2. Television can actually pattern our daily activities.

B. Use the following phrases:

• The fact is that

• The (main) point is that ...

• This proves that ...

• What it comes down to is that ...

• It is obvious that ...

• It is certain that ...

• One can say that ...

• It is clear that ...

• There is no doubt that ...

• I guess/believe/consider…

WRITING

Write a short essay about the key features of modern television.