MODALS
This modal expresses a possibility (less certain than “will”): “It ___ rain later.”
might
“It’s time to buckle down and study.
”What is buckle down?
This idiom means “to start doing something seriously.”
not / should / you / late / be
You should not be late.
She __________ wear a uniform at school.
has to
To show past ability in general, we often use this form: “When I was 10, I ___ ride a bike.
could
“Who spilled the beans about the surprise?
”What is spill the beans?
This idiom means “to reveal a secret.”
been / have / they / here / never
They have never been here.
I __________ finish my homework before dinner.
have to
This modal structure shows a logical deduction about the past: “He isn’t here—he ___ ___ left.”
must have
“We argued all day—let’s just drop it.
”What is drop it?
This idiom means “to stop talking about something.”
if / I / time / had / more / would / travel / I
If I had more time, I would travel.
We __________ be quiet in the library.
have to
This is the correct modal + base verb for a future possibility, not “will can”: “Next year, I ___ be able to drive.”
will be able to
“Yelling at him only added fuel to the fire.
”What is add fuel to the fire?
This idiom means “to make a situation worse.”
was / the / by / report / written / manager / the
The report was written by the manager.
He __________ call his teacher after class tomorrow.
will have to
his structure means an action was unnecessary, but you did it anyway: “We ___ ___ brought food—there was plenty.”
needn’t have
“We lost, but we have to face the music.
”What is face the music?
This idiom means “to accept reality and move on.”
the / woman / who / called / you / is / my / aunt
The woman who called you is my aunt.
My father __________ get up early for work every day.
has to