Modal verbs are types of verbs that are used to modify the modality of a main verb. Modal verbs are a kind of auxiliary verbs that can affect the meaning of a sentence.
In some situations that we’ll see, we might want to use modal substitutes.
A Video Summary About Modal Substitutes
A few explanations about Modal Substitutes
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
A Video Summary About Modal Substitutes
A few explanations about Modal Substitutes
The common, ‘pure’, modal verbs such as ‘must’, ‘could’, and ‘might’ are used to express ability, obligation, probability, and advice, among other uses.
However, these modal verbs cannot be used in all the tenses, and this is why we need modal substitutes; words or phrases, which express the same meaning but can be conjugated into different tenses.
| MODAL VERB | MODAL SUBSTITUTE |
| MUST | HAVE TO, NEED TO |
| CAN (ability) | BE ABLE TO |
| MAY /CAN (permission) | BE ALLOWED TO |
| SHALL/SHOULD | BE EXPECTED TO/ BE SUPPOSED TO |
Whilst the majority of the modal substitutes have similar meanings to the modal verb the substitute, it is important to remember there are some differences.
Beware: the difference between “Don’t have to” and “Mustn’t”
“Don’t have to” means that it is not necessary to do something, but you can do it if you want. In other words, it’s optional.
e.g., You don’t have to bring your own towel, as the hotel provides them (It is not necessary to bring your own towel, but you can if you want)
“Mustn’t” means that something is prohibited, it is completely forbidden to do it.
e.g., You must not park there it is for emergency vehicles only (it is forbidden to park there, something bad will happen if you do it)
Exercises about Modal Substitutes
Exercise 1 Select the correct modal substitute to complete the sentence
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Exercise 2 Complete the sentences using the right model substitute in the right tense
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Exercise 3 Correct the mistakes in the following sentences
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