MODALS

TYPES FUNCTION EXAMPLES

To show ability to do something Aishah can read well

We can finish the work today.

To give permission You can leave now

They can attend the seminar
Can tomorrow
Could
To ask politely Could I have some tea, please?
Could you explain again?

To express possibility Could that be the thief?

Could be raining in KL now?

To ask/give permission May I leave now?

You may not go until you finish
your work.
May To express possibility Siti might have gone to the library
Might
He reads a lot so that he may
To express wish/reason write better
May God bless you

To give command You must follow the school rules.

The homework must be handed-in
by tomorrow.

Must She has to go home now He

Has/Have Must indicates looks pale, he must be sick.
to mandatory/compulsory
Need You need not come for the meeting
They need not pay the
Need is usually used in the entrance fees
negative form
TYPES FUNCTION EXAMPLES

To express determination We will solve the problem

ourselves.
By hook or by crook, I will finish the
essay today.

To express habits Father will take a nap in the

afternoon
Will Ali will go for extra classes every
Would Tuesday afternoon.

To express request Would you give a hand? Would

you,please, pass the salt?

If I qualify, I will apply for the job.

Usually used in conditional If it rained, we would be stranded
sentences

To express conditions If the weather is fine, we shall have

a game of badminton. If I pass my
exam, I shall continue with the
diploma.

Should also expresses We should tell the truth always

Shall/ obligation We should take care of our parents
Should during their senior years..

We shall paint the house this week.

You should have done your work
Forms of the future/past tense earlier.

To express obligation You ought to help your parents at

home.
We ought to take a lot of water to
avoid dehydration.
Ought to
To express advice You ought to take a rest if you are
tired.
The participants ought to dress
formally for the dinner.
We used to grow vegetables in our
backyard.
Used to The breadman used to come in the
To express a past habit
evening.
EXERCISE 1

1. All of you …………….. queue up in the canteen.

2. Since you are injured, you ………………..not come for the practice.
3. Othman …………….. swim across the channel in two hours.
4. When I was young, I ………..fly kites there.
5. The SPM results …………….. be announced tomorrow
6. Adults …………. not sleep more than ten hours a day.
7. That naughty boy ………….. be punished.
8. It’s getting late. We …………… leave now.
9. Susan is not here. She …………. have gone to Lily’s house.
10. Excuse me, ………….. please give this notes to Ahmad?

EXERCISE 2

1. If you break the rule, you………… be sacked.

2. You ………….. report this matter to the principal.
3. …………… I borrow your pen , please?
4. The shopkeeper …………… give me some sweets whenever I go to
5. his shop
6. Majid …………. visit me when he was working in Penang.
7. How I wish we ……… go for a swim this afternoon
8. If I were you, I ……….. not listen to the stranger
9. The children ………… not come for the prayer meeting tonight
10. You have been neglecting your studies. You ……… work harder from
now on.

11. We knew that the football match ……… be postponed

Logical Connectors

Exercise 1

1. Therefore 6. however
2. Meanwhile 7. Then
3. As a result 8. Eventually
4. Then 9. In addition
5. In addition 10. Thus

Prepositions

Exercise 1 Exercise 2

1. of, without 1. to
2. in, for 2. on, on
3. since, with 3. to, over
4. from, after 4. across
5. on, for 5. under, since
6. on 6. in, of, for, to
7. under, with 7. by, at, in, out, to
8. off, out 8. from, in, of, out
9. during, in 9. on, of, to, in, at
10. down, about 10. up, about, of, at, at

Modals

Exercise 1

1. must 6. should
2. should 7. will
3. could 8. should
4. used to 9. will
5. should 10. could