CHAPTER 2.

MODAL VERBS
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2.1. can, could, and be able to

2.1.1 FORMULA :

can
Subject + could + verb (affirmative)
be able to

cannot
Subject + could not + verb (negative)
be not able to

Can
+ Subject + verb (interrogative)
Could

Is/ Are +
able to + verb (interrogative)
subject

2.1.2. USES
can = possible to do, can only be in present and past ( = could)
be able to = possible, can be in many tenses
could = past of can
could = general ability
was able to = manage

examples :
1. We can use the centrifuge if the power is on.
2. We are able to use it after reading the manual.
3. We could see where you threw the rubbish (last night)
4. You all could pass the English test, but some of you may fail.
5. The glass wares were stuck together, but the technician was able to separate them

2.1.3. EXERCISES
Complete these sentences
1. I ........ understand you. I’ve never ................. understand.
2. You ............. take the path which lead you to the laboratory.
3. You .............. ride the motorbike without bringing the driver lisence.
4. The sample containers were mixed up but the students ................. sort them out.
5. The hot plate .............. turn on now, but when new, it ................. heat up very quickly.
6. You .......... do it if you try hard.
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2.2. MUST and CAN’T
2.2.1 FORMULA :
MUST INVINITIVE WITHOUT TO
or + BE + ADJECTIVE
CAN’T BE + ING-FORM
2.2.2. USES
a. must is used to say we are sure that it’s true
- The litmus paper turns red with the solution. It must be acidic
- I must run if I don’t want the bus leave without me.

b. can’t is used when we think it’s impossible

- It can’t be right. I’ve added the indicator, but the colour doesn’t change.
- We can’t go there, the road is flooded

c. must have and can’t have + past participle are used when we realize something was true
- I didn’t hear the explosion. I must have had my earphone on.
- You couldn’t have recognised me since I was wearing a mask

2.2.3. EXERCISES

Complete these sentences !

1. You ......... sleepy after hanging out last night.
2. She ................. (say) anything, because I didn’t hear a thing.
3. They ............... (submit) the report. There’s nothing on the table.
4. The chemicals ................ (come) into contact with air. They were oxidised.
5. She .............. (tired) as she has just woken up.

Read the statements and write a sentence with must have or can’t have using the words in
the bracket !

1. Most students get low marks. They studied very hard. (The exam/difficult)
2. He didn’t do the homework very well. (understand/ my explanation)

2.3. MAY (HAVE) and MIGHT (HAVE)

2.3.1. FORMULA

MAY / MIGHT + INVINITIVE WITHOUT TO

MAY / MIGHT + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

2.3.2. USES
a. may and might are used to say bigger possibilities than could

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examples :
Contact with air may result in absorption of moist by the crystals.
Inconsistent temperature might produce different oxides.
I’m not sure where the technician is. He could be in the lab.

b. may have and might have are used to express possibilities in the past.

examples :
1. The samples are still wet although I put them in the oven overnight. The power may have
failed last night.
2. Inconsistent temperature might have produced the unexpected oxide.

2.4. CAN, COULD, MAY, WOULD : REQUEST, PERMISSION, OFFERS,

INVITATIONS, SUGGESTIONS

2.4.1. FORMULA

CAN / COULD / + INVINITIVE

MAY / WOULD WITHOUT TO

CAN / COULD / + SUBJECT + INVINITIVE

WOULD WITHOUT TO

2.4.2. USES

a. To make a request : could is more polite than can

examples :
• Can you drive me to the shop, please ?
• Do you think you could see me this afternoon to talk about my result ?

b. Asking and giving permission

examples :
• Can I use the oven overnight, please ?
• Yes, you can use it anytime.

c. Can and can’t are used to talk about what is already allowed or not allowed
examples :
• You can drive if you have license.
• You can’t have driver license before you are 17 years old.

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d. To offer to do something
examples :
• Can I help you ?
• May I show you ?

e. To offer or invite :
examples :
• Would you like a lift ? I’m going there too?

f. To say what we want politely : would like

examples :
• I would like to use the oven overnight, please ?

g. To suggest something: would

examples :
• I would use the oven in the other lab, if I was you, because this one is out of order.

EXERCISES

Complete these sentences with the right word and form

1. I don’t know where my funnel is. ………. borrow yours, please ?

2. ………… you please put me in your diary tomorrow afternoon ? I …….. like to discuss
the assignment.
3. I’m not using the whole water bath. I ………. put my sample in the vacant space if I
were you. Isn’t the temperature you want the same as what I am using ?
4. …….. I suggest something ? I ……. see that you need some advise.
5. ……… I help you ? Seem to me you’re in trouble.
6. I don’t think the fume hood is working. Let’s check it out, the technician ……. have
fixed it.
7. How do you know that ? It’s supposed to be a secret, and she promised she ……. Tell
anybody.
8. What ……… you do if I didn’t come on time ?
9. The mixture is supposed to produce precipitate, but it doesn’t. The solution ……. be too
dilute that there’s not enough ions to react.
10. The reason ……. be that the aquadest was contaminated.

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