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4.21: Modals and Meaning 2 - Answers

  • Page ID
    101609
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    Modals & Meaning

     

    Read each sentence.  What is the meaning of each modal?

     

    1.    Maybe I’ll see you later.            POSSIBILITY IN THE FUTURE

     

    2.    May I leave at 2pm today?        ASKING PERMISSION

     

    3.    We may have a test next week.  POSSIBILITY IN THE FUTURE

     

    4.    We might have a test next week.         POSSIBILITY IN THE FUTURE

     

    5.    We will have a test next week.             CERTAINTY ABOUT FUTURE

     

    6.    You didn’t eat anything all day.  You must be hungry.   LOGICAL CONCLUSION

     

    7.    You mustn’t carry any weapons onto an airplane.          PROHIBITION/AGAINST THE LAW

     

    8.    I have to clean my room.  It’s a mess!           PERSONAL NEED

     

    9.    I’ve got to find a new apartment.  May neighbors are so noisy!      PERSONAL NEED

     

     

    10. I’m supposed to do all my homework before class.          OBLIGATION/REQUIREMENT

     

    11. Would you like a cup of coffee?         WANT

     

    12. I’d rather have some tea, please.          PREFERENCE

     

    13. You should try to take public transportation more.  It’s cheaper and better for the environment.          ADVICE

     

    14. You’d better not buy a big SUV or you’ll have to pay a lot for gas. WARNING

     

    15. Mary can speak 4 languages.     ABILITY

     

    16. I can paint my apartment if I want to.  PERMISSION

     

    17. In my old apartment, I couldn’t paint without asking my landlord first.             PAST PERMISSION

     

    18. 10 years ago, I couldn’t speak English but now I can.

                                   PAST ABILITY / PRESENT ABILITY


    This page titled 4.21: Modals and Meaning 2 - Answers is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Nooshi Borhan.

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