Modal Verbs
I'm sure that Liz hasn't met Harry before.
Liz can´t have met Harry before
Mary knows how to stand on her head.
Mary can´t stand on her head
I'm sure that Helen feels really lonely.
..Helen must feel really lonely
Perhaps Alan didn't mean what he said. (meant)
Alan might not have meant what he said
All students should report to the main hall at 9.00. (are)
All students are to report to the main hall at 9.00.
Ann possibly hasn't left yet.
Ann might not have left yet
It's possible for anyone to break into this house!
Anybody can break into this house!
It's possible that Bill saw me. (may)
Bill may have seen me.
I'm sure that Brenda isn't over thirty.
Brenda can´t be over thirty
I'm sure that David took your books by mistake.
David must have taken your books by mistake
Is it necessary for me to bring my passport? (have)
Do I have to bring my passport?
Do I need a different driving licence for a motorbike?
Do I have to have a different driving licence for a motorbike?
It would be a good idea if Harry took a holiday.
Harry should take a holiday
The dentist will see you soon. I don't think he'll be long.
He shouldn´t be long.
I am sure that John is not the thief. (be)
I am sure that John can´t be the thief
It's possible that I left my wallet at home. (could)
I could have left my wallet at home
We can't be lost. It isn't allowed/I don't believe it.
I don't believe it.
We should be there soon. I expect so/It's absolutely certain.
I expect so
I expect we will get there by 5.00, if there isn't too much traffic. (should)
I expect we should get there by 5.00, if there isn't too much traffic.
It wasn't necessary for me to go out after all. (have)
I needn't have gone out after all.
The only thing I could do was run away! (had)
I only had to run away
I think you should give up smoking immediately. (had)
I think you had better give up smoking immediately.
I think you were wrong to sell your bike. (shouldn´t)
I think you shouldn´t have sold your bike
It is very inconvenient if you can't drive. (to)
It is very inconvenient if you are unable to drive
You can't come in here. It isn't allowed/I don't believe it.
It isn't allowed
I ought not to tell Jack. It's not a good idea/It's the rule.
It's not a good idea
Astronauts must feel afraid sometimes. They're supposed to/It's only natural.
It's only natural.
All motorcyclists have to wear crash helmets. It's a good idea/It's the rule.
It's the rule.
Late-comers are to report to the main office. It's a good idea/It's the rule.
It's the rule.
Jack is supposed to have arrived half an hour ago.
Jack should have arrived half an hour ago
There was a plan for Jack to become manager, but he left. (was)
Jack was to have become manager but he left
I'm sure that Karen was a beautiful baby. (been)
Karen must have been a beautiful baby.
I am certain that Norman will be late. (bound)
Norman is bound to be late.
Perhaps Pam and Tim decided not to come.
Pam and Tim might have decided not to come
I don't think that Sally enjoyed her holiday. (have)
Sally can´t have enjoyed her holiday
Jane is bound to be late. She always is/She must be.
She always is
You'd better leave now. That's my advice/That's an order!
That's my advice
I am sure that the cat is in the house somewhere. (be)
The cat must be in the hose somewhere
I think it was the cat that took the fish from the table!
The cut must have taken the fish from the table
I'm sure they haven't eaten all the food. It's not possible!
They can´t have eaten all the food.
What would you advise me to do?
What do you think I should do?
You're not allowed to park here.
You can´t park here
An aerial is not required with this radio. (have)
You do not have to have an aerial with this radio.
You needn't come with me if you don't want to.
You don´t have to come with if you don't want to.
It was unnecessary for you to clean the floor.
You needn´t have cleaned the floor
It was a waste of time worrying, after all! Cree
You needn´t have worried after all.
I thought that you would know better! (ought)
You ought to know that better!
It was a mistake to park outside the police station.
You shouldn't have parked outside the police station
It was a mistake for you to buy that car. (bouh)
You shouldn´t have bought that car
Tell Peter he ... stay the night here if he wants to.
can
It was 5 o'clock an hour ago. Your watch can't/mustn't be right.
can't
Don't be silly. You ... expect me to believe you!
can´t
That's a really stupid idea! You ... be serious, surely!
can´t
Jones could/must be president if Smith has to resign.
could
Don't worry, you don't have to/mustn't pay now.
don't have to
I think you had better/would better take a pullover with you.
had better
It's a school rule, all the pupils have to/must wear a uniform.
have to
Sorry, I can't stay any longer. I have to/might go.
have to
You don't have to stay unless it's necessary/if you don't want to.
if you don't want to.
Don't stand up in the boat! You ... fall in the river!
might
Let's tell Diana. She could/might not know.
might
Sue says she's stuck in traffic and she ... be late.
might
We're not sure but we ... go to Prague for Christmas this year.
might
You ... realise it, but this is very important to me.
might not
Me learn to fly! You ... be joking!
must
There's someone at the door. It can/must be the postman.
must
You really ... start spending more time on your work.
must
Bill cooked the lunch, so you ... expect anything special!
mustn´t
I suppose that our team must/should win, but I'm not sure.
should
In my opinion, the government might/should do something about this.
should
