Modal verbs

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Modal Verbs

will vs. going to

both can be used to make predictions

will= based on general beliefs, opinions or attitudes

going to= based on facts or events which can be used as evidence

will

Ex: Patty is so smart. She will definitely go to university one day.

Ex: You'll have a wonderful time in New York. It's an amazing city.

going to

Ex: The temperatures have dropped below freezing. It's going to start snowing any minute.

Ex: He's going way to fast! He's going to crash his car. 

The building is swaying. It __________ fall down any minute!

1. will
2. is going to

He has two broken legs, but he's such a fighter. I'm sure he __________ walk again some day.

1. will
2. is going to

must vs. have to

something is necessary to do 

must (your opinion) vs. have to (it's not a choice)

Examples

You must practice grammar if you want to pass your test.

You have to be on time for the test. 

musn't

it is important something is not done or does not happen

Ex: You musn't close the window before the paint is dry.

needn't and don't have to

it is not necessary to do something

Ex: You needn't (don't have to) soak spinach seeds before you plant them. They'll grow eventually no matter what you do.

You ____________ eat before swimming. You'll get cramps.

1. needn't
2. musn't
3. must
4. have to

He ___________ bring a lot of money with him. I'm planning to pay for most of the trip.

1. musn't
2. must
3. needn't
4. has to

must be

sure something is true

Ex: He must be more than 6 feet tall. He hit his head on the door frame.

can't be

sure that something is not true

Ex: She can't be the new French teacher. She can't even say bonjour properly.

could be/might be

not sure if something is true

Ex: I think he might be George's father. He drops him off at school every morning. 

Ex: James isn't answering his phone. He could be in a meeting.

Sally ______________ very tired. She hasn't slept well since the baby was born.

1. can't be
2. could be
3. might be
4. must be

Arnold ______________ Bill's father. He didn't meet Bill's mom until Bill was five.

1. might be
2. can't be
3. must be
4. could be