Modal Verbs: Smart Note with Grade 12 Entrance Questions (English)

Welcome to Yes Smart Education: Smart Note

Brief Overview

This smart note has two sections:

Section-1: Basic Concepts

• Common Types of Modal Verbs
• Features of Modal Verbs
• Questions about Modal Verbs

see the smart chart below!

Section-2: Uses of Modal Verbs

• Obligation
• Absence of Obligation
• Ability 
• Deduction
• Possibility
• Suggestions
• Permission
• Request 

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Section-1: Basic Concepts

A. Common Types of Modal Verbs: 

• Can, may, shall, must, have to, has to, need, had better..
• Could, might, should, had to, might...

B. Key Features of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs have some common unique features: the next 5 key features make modal verbs unique/different from any other verbs.

1. Don't Take 's'

• Modal verbs don't take 's' after third person singular subject.
• The main verb after modal verb also doesn't take 's'.
• Modal verb + s (wrong)
• Modal verb + main +s (wrong)

Examples:

• Now, Trump mays stop the war with Iran! (wrong: 'may+s': modal verb + s )
• Now, Trump may stops the war with Iran. (wrong: 'stop+s': modal verb + main +s)

2. Not followed by 'to'

• Modal verbs are not followed by infinitive with 'to' except 'need'!
• Modal verb + to + verb1 (wrong)

Examples:

• Trump must to stop the war with Iran. (wrong: modal verb + to + verb1)
• Messi should to support new football players. (wrong: modal verb + to + verb1)

Note: 'has to, have to, had to and ought to' are modal verbs by themselves!

3. Past Tense with Modal Verbs

• Most of the modal verbs have verb-2 forms; examples: may: might, can: could, shall: should, will: would....
• The verb-2 forms of modal verbs are not used for simple past, except 'could' (ability)!
• To make simple past/past continuous tense with modal verbs, we use 'modal verb' with 'have':
• modal verb + have + verb3 (active)
• modal verb + have + been + verb3 (passive)
• modal verb + have + been + ing (active)

Examples:

• You should have studied hard last year.
• She might have been waiting for you outside; go and check her.
• You might have been waited outside; go and check her.

4. Continuous Tense with Modal Verbs

• To make continuous tense with modal verbs, we use 'modal verb' with 'be' ('be' itself without changing into is/are/was...).
• We use these structures for both present and also future.
• modal verb + be + ing
• modal verb + be + being + verb3

Examples:

• Our teacher could be waiting for us at class.
• I will be living with my boyfriend in the rest of my life.

5. Passive Voice with Modal Verbs

• To make passive voice with modal verbs, we use 'modal verb' with 'be' ('be' itself without changing into is/are/was...).
• We use these structures for both present and also future.
• modal verb + be + verb3

Examples:

• This question could be answered in simple way.
• We should be told our result next week.

C. Questions about Modal Verbs

In English Exams (Grade 12 Ethiopian University Entrance or any other exam), questions about modal verbs are asked in two sections:

• Grammar Section
• Communication Section 

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Section-2: Uses of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs could be used for many purposes.

The next uses are the most common uses of modal verbs.

They are used to express:

• Obligation
• Absence of Obligation
• Ability 
• Deduction/Logical conclusion
• Possibility
• Suggestions
• Permission
• Request 

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1. Expressing Obligation

1.1. Basic Concepts Related to Obligation

Before directly starting the explanations of obligation, let's see the next 4 confusing areas:

• Positive obligation 
• Negative obligation 
• Absence of obligation
• D/ce between 'must' and 'have to/has to'

♦ Positive obligation refers to something must be done: it is obligation.

♦ Negative obligation refers to something which is not allowed or forbidden: it is obligation.

♦ Absence of obligation refers to something which is not necessary to be done: it is not obligation.

Examples:

• You have to wear your uniform when you come to class. (Positive obligation)
• You must not bring mobile phone when you come for exam. (Negative obligation)
• I am social science student; I don't need to study Physics for Entrance Exam.
• (Absence of obligation: not must)

Note: See structures to be used for each of these 3 issues, under forms.

♦ D/ce between 'must' and 'have to/has to'

'Must' and 'have to/has to' could be used interchangeably in present positive obligation but if you are asked to choose one of them, follow the next criteria.

• 'Must' is used when the speaker feels doing a given thing is necessary/obligation or for moral obligation.
• 'Have to' is used when the obligation/ necessity is outside the speaker: externally imposed obligation.

Examples:

Teacher Obama said:

• You must do all these exercises and come tomorrow. (Personal obligation)
• You have to always wear your uniform when you come to class. (External obligation: rule)

Note:

The above confusions could happen only in present positive obligation; in other obligations, they are completely different!

• In present negative obligation, we don't use 'have to/has to' (see under forms).
• In future positive obligation, we use 'have to' with 'will' but 'must' is used by itself. (see under forms).
• For question, we use 'must' by itself but we use 'do/does' with 'have to'.
• Past positive or negative obligation, we don't use both 'must' or 'have to/has to' (see under forms).

Attention Please

Don't use together different modal verbs that show obligation/suggestion.

• Must and have to: You must have to study hard. (wrong!)
• Should and have to: You should have to study hard. (wrong!)

1.2. Present/Future Obligation

We use the next common forms/structures to express present/future obligation in positive and negative obligations.

A. Positive Obligation

Forms:  

• subject + must/have to/has to/ need to + verb1 (present)
• subject + will + have to + verb1 (future)
• subject + must/ need to + verb1 (future)

B. Negative Obligation

Forms: For both present and future

• subject + must not/should not/ought not to/ need not to + verb1
• can't + verb1 (stronger than the rest)

Note: 

To make passive or continuous tenses (positive and negative obligations), we use these modal verbs with 'verb to be'!

Note: For more, see the next smart summary chart and also the examples after it!

Examples:

• We must/have to respect school rules and regulations.
• School rules and regulations have to be respected.
• I must visit my parents next week.
• You must be attending my explanations carefully, now.
• You must not/should not/ought not to come to class without your uniform for class time. (Negative obligation)
• I must/will have to go to school and bring my kids this afternoon.
• Must you always go to school and bring your kids?
• Do you always have to go to school and bring your kids?
• You must not/can't /shouldn't /ought not to use mobile phone on exam.

Note: Identify each of the above examples as 'present, future, positive, negative, active, passive obligation...'!

1.3. Past Obligation

Past obligation is used to express something which was necessary/expected to be done/to happen or not expected to be done/to happen in the past.

• There are two common types of past obligations: full filled and unfulfilled.

A. Full Filled Past Obligation

♦ Something which was necessary/expected to be done/to happen and it was done/happened.

Forms: 

• subject + had to + verb1 (active)
• subject + had to + be + verb3 (passive)

Examples: 

Most of our students scored more 70% on their Entrance Exam last year.

• They had to study hard day and night to get this result. (They did it)
• They had to be supported in tutorials and others.
• Their teachers had to support them in tutorials. (They did it)

B. Unfull Filled Past Obligations

Unfull filled past obligations are two:

♦ Something which was necessary/expected to be done/to happen but was not done/happened.

♦ Something which was expected not to be done/ not to happen but was done/happened.

Forms: 

• subject + should /ought to + have + verb3
• Subject + should not /ought not to + have + verb3

Note: For more, see the next smart summary chart and also the examples after it!

Examples:

Most of our students scored below 50% on their Entrance Exam last year.

• They should /ought to have studied hard day and night to get this result. (They didn't...)
• They ought to/ should have been supported in tutorials and others.
• You ought not to/ should not have insulted your boyfriend in public; that was wrong.
• Your boyfriend ought not to/ should not have been insulted in public; that was wrong.

Check Yourself 

1. This is wrong; you _____ your textbook with you.

A. should bring                        

B. ought to have brought

C. should not have brought     

D. ought not to bring 

2. You did big mistake; you _______ on exam.

A. should not cheat   

B. should cheat 

C. ought not to have cheated 

D. had cheat

3. You _______ on exam.

A. should not cheat   

B. should cheat 

C. ought not to have cheated 

D. had cheat

2. Absence of Obligation

2.1. Present/Future Absence of Obligation

Absence of obligation is used to express something which is not necessary/not obligation to be done.

Forms:  

• subject + needn't + verb1
• subject + don't/doesn't need to + verb1
• subject + don't/doesn't have to + verb1

Note: For passive voice forms, we add 'be'....

Examples:

• I am social science student; I needn't/don't need to/don't have to study Biology for my Entrance Exam.
• I have clearly understood this topic (absence of obligation); I don't need to/have to revise it now.
• This topic (absence of obligation) doesn't need to/have to be revised now as I have clearly understood it. 

2.2. Past Absence of Obligation

Past absence of obligation is different from present/future absence of obligation. 

There are two common forms of past absence of obligations:

• Absence of obligation which is used to express something which was not necessary/not obligation to be done/to happen and was not done/ not happened.
• Form-1: subject + didn't/need to + verb1
• Absence of obligation which is used to express something which was not necessary/not obligation to be done/to happen but it was not done/ not happened.
• Form-2: subject + needn't have + verb3 

Examples:

• I have carefully studied and understood Geography; I didn't needn't to revise.
• You wasted your time; you needn't have spent your time on Civic and  Ethical Education. It will not appear on the coming Grade 12 Entrance Exam.
• Your time needn't have been spent on Civic and  Ethical Education; it will not appear on the coming Grade 12 Entrance Exam.

3. How to Express Ability

Basic Information

Before directly starting the main discussion, let me give some basic information that must be understood first!

Please, read this basic information; all the coming discussions depend on this basic information! 

• Both "be able to" and "can" are used to express ability.
• There are conditions in which both "be able to and can" could be used to express ability interchangeably.
• There are also conditions in which one can't replace the other.
• General ability vs particular/specific ability:
• 'General ability' refers to something that once you have learned you can do any time you want. something to be done ability to repeatedly
• 'Specific/particular ability' refers to ability for short period of time or something that you can or can't do in one particular situation.

Examples:

• I can/ am able to read and write in English. (General ability)
• I can/am able to help you; I am free now. (Particular ability)
• I can't /am not able to read and write in French. (General ability)
• I can't /am not able to help you; I am not free now. (Particular ability)

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3.1. Present Ability

• Forms:
• subject + can/can't + verb1
• subject + be able to + verb1
• subject + be + not able to + verb1

Note: 'be': is/am/are

• In present ability, both 'can' and 'be able to' are used:
• for both general and particular abilities.
• in both positive and negative abilities.
• Here, both 'can' and 'be able to' are used interchangeably.

Note: For more, see the next smart summary chart and also the examples after it!

Examples:

• I can/am able to write what you are talking; go on!
• I can't /am not able to write what you are talking; please, increase your voice.
• Now, I can/ able to communicate with anyone in English.
• Now, I can't/am not able to communicate with anyone in English.

3.2. Future Ability

• There are some differences in terms of general and particular ability in future.
• For particular ability in future, both 'can' and 'be able to' are used (for positive and negative).
• For general ability in future we use only 'be able to' (for negative and positive).

• Forms: For particular ability
• subject + can/can't + verb1
• subject + will/will not + be able to + verb1

• Forms: For general ability
• subject + will + be + able to
• subject + will + be + able to

Note: For more, see the next smart summary chart and also the examples after it!

Examples (Particular ability):

• I can/will be able to come tonight; I am free.
• I can't /will not be able to come tonight; I am very busy.

Examples (General ability):

• I am sure, one day, I will be able to be doctor or best engineer.
• Don't deceive yourself, you will not be able to be fluent English Language speaker within a single year.
• If you continue working hard this, you will be able to become what you want to be.
• Unless you work hard, you will not be able to be medical doctor.

3.3. Past Ability

There are some differences in terms of general and particular ability in past ability. 

• For past positive general ability, both 'could' and 'be (was/were) able to' are used.
• For past positive particular ability, 'be able to' is used; not could.
• For question and negative (in past ability):
• Both 'could' and 'be able to' are used.  
• 'Could' and 'be able to' are used for both general and particular abilities.

A. Past Positive General Ability:

• Forms:
• subject + could + verb1
• subject + was/were able to + verb1

Examples:

• I could/was able to write and speak in English when I was grade 3.
• She could/was able to carry more than 20 kg even when she was age 10.

B. Positive Particular Ability:

• Form: 
• subject + was/were able to + verb1

Examples:

• Yesterday, I was able to reach school before the exam began.
• They were able to finish the exam exactly on time.

C. Question and Negative (in past ability)

• Both 'could' and 'be able to' are used (for both general and particular abilities).
• For more, see the next smart summary chart and also the examples after it!

Examples:

• I was not able to/couldn't reach school before the exam began yesterday.
• I was not able to/couldn't speak in French when I was in France.
• Could /were you able to reach school before the exam began yesterday?
• Could/ was able to speak in French when she was in France?

D. Use Only be able to

In the following situations, we use only 'be able to'; 'can/could' is not used.

I. After 'modal verbs':

• After modal verbs, we use only 'be able to' (for both positive and negative)
• Form: 
• modal verb + 'be able to' + verb1

Examples:

• He may not be able to score good mark on this exam as there are many topics that he hasn't yet covered.
• He may be able to score good mark on this exam as he has covered all the topics.
• You must be able to do your exam independently.

II. After 'perfect tenses':

• After perfect tenses, we use only 'be able to' (for both positive and negative).
• Form
• subject + has/have + been able to + verb1

Examples:

• I have been able to work with many new people/in many new places since I began work. I don't fear to go abroad.
• I haven't been able to work with new people/in new places. I fear to go abroad.

III. After infinitive:

• We use 'be able to' after infinitive.
• Form:
• verb1 + to + be able to + verb1

Examples:

• I want to be able to communicate in English fluently.
• They decided to be able to work independently.

E. Use Only 'can/could'

We use 'can/could' with state verbs (verb of perception/thinking), not be able to.

Examples:

• They can understand whatever you say in English.
• I could hear all what the teacher said because I sat on the fron desk.

4. How to Express Deduction

Logical conclusion/deduction/certainty is a conclusion /deduction (about present/ future/ past) which is made based on evidence. 

• We use must/can't/will!
• "Must" is used when the speaker sees/has evidence that something is necessarily and logically true.
• "Can't" is used when the speaker sees something is logically impossible to be true.
• "Will" is used to expresses a prediction. It means that something is certainly true, even though we cannot see that it is true.

4.1. Present/Future Deduction

Present/future deduction is a conclusion/deduction that is made about present/future in simple and continuous tense.

• Forms
• with must:
• subject + must + verb1
• subject+ must + be + ing
• subject+ must + be
• with can't:
• subject+ can't + verb1
• subject+ can't + be + ing
• subject+ can't + be
• with will: 
• subject + will + verb1
• subject + will + be + ing
• subject + will + be

Note: The first two forms (of each 3) could have passive forms! For example: 

• subject + must + be + verb3
• subject+ can't + be + verb3
• subject+ will + be + verb3

For questions/interrogative sentence, we use can.

For more, see the next smart summary chart and also the examples after it!

Examples:

• Abiy has been nominated as the Chairman of Prosperity Party. According to the Party's rule, the Chairman is the Prime Minister of the Country so:-
• The Party members must elect Abiy as Prime Minister of the Country.
• Abiy must be appointed as the next Prime Minister.
• He must be leading the Country for the next 5 years.
• Abiy has more supports, he will be the Chairman of Prosperity Party.
• I see Bikila and Kiros together everyday. 
• Kiros must know Bikila's address; ask him!
• Bikila and Kiros hasn't had any communication since Kiros left this town.
• Kiros can't know Bikila's current address.
• Now, Kiros and Bikila can't be living together.
• Look choices A & C are grammatically wrong; choice D is present continuous but the question is about past tense.
• Choices A, C & D can't be correct answer.
• Choices B must be correct answer.
• Look, the teacher is surrounded by many students. 
• He must be showing marks/something.

4.2. Past Deduction

Past deduction is a conclusion/deduction that is made about past using perfect modal verbs. 

• Forms
• wiht must:
• subject + must + have + verb3
• subject + must + have + been + ing
• subject + must + have + been + verb3
• with can't: 
• subject + can't + have + verb3
• subject + can't + have + been + ing
• subject + can't + have + been + verb3

For more, see the next smart summary chart and also the examples after it!

Examples:

• My mobile is not in the bag. I am sure that I put it in the bag when I left home.
• Someone must have been stolen it from the bag while coming to office. I haven't opened the bag until I reached here.
• I must have lost it on the taxi; I remember that I used it once on the taxi.
• It can't have been stolen from the bag while coming. I was holding the bag in front of me until I left the taxi. 

Note: Practice Grade 12 Ethiopian University Entrance Questions only about Modal Verbs; click on the below link!

Grade 12 Entrance Questions about Modal Verbs