Revision exercises

Exercise 1.

Analyse the modal verbs in the following sentences and speak on the meaning expressed by each of the modal verbs.

Can (could)

1. But have we really met before, Lady Chiltern? I can’t remember where. (O.W.)

2. Mrs Cheveley, you cannot be serious in making such a proposition. (O.W.)

3. And now you can get my carriage for me, Sir Robert. (O.W.)

4. “I can’t say I have done it,” he replied at last. “You know that I can recollect, anyhow.” (A.Chr.)

5. Can I get you a pill, Miss Martin? (Donl.)

6. “Can I have the morning newspaper?”—“I can tell you what’s in the morning newspaper.” (Donl.)

7. He had taken it better than could have been expected. (Galsw.)

8. As far as he could see, not a single piece of furniture was worth a five-pound note. (Galsw.)

9. The blow was so sudden that Hammond thought he would faint. He couldn’t move; he couldn’t breathe. (Mansf.)

10. I can’t remember. I didn’t notice him particularly. (A.Chr.)

May (might)

1. He gathered all his strength and stammered: “Miss Barlow – may I see you home?” (Cr.)

2. I was mistaken in the view I took. We all may make mistakes. (O.W.)

3. Gertrude, what you tell me may be true but it happened many years ago. (O.W.)

4. “Much valuable time may have been lost,” broke in Poirot. (A. Chr.)

5. But you might not be speaking the truth – or the watch you went by might be wrong. (A.Chr.)

6. I think we might be great friends. Let us be great friends. You may want a friend some day. (O.W.)

7. Hasn’t it occurred to you that she may want more than your friendship? (S.M.)

8. “May I come there for safety sake?” “Yes.” (Donl.)

9. I might as well stay here and nose round a bit longer. Something might turn up. One never knows. (A. Chr.)

10. “May I ask you a question, Sir Charles?” I said. “Certainly.” (S.H.)

Must

1. If you have given her any promise you must take it back, that is all. (O.W.)

2. You must not laugh at me, darling, but it had always been a girlish dream of mine to have someone whose name was Earnest. (O.W.)

3. “The hotels must be doing a tremendous business,” he thought. “It must be going in value by leaps and bounds.” (Galsw.)

4. “Just my luck,” ha said. “Must have missed her on the way down here …” Damned awful road, missed my way twice. (Banks)

5. “Well, I must be going,” he said after a short pause. (Galsw.)

6. On reading over what I have written of the Stricklands, I am conscious that they must seem shadowy. (S.M.)

7. I told her that if she wanted writers she must feed them well. (S.M.)

8. “You must drink tea with us tonight,” said he, “for we shall be quite alone – and tomorrow you must absolutely dine with us, for we shall be a large party.” (Aust.)

9. I am in woeful trouble. I must escape this town before it’s too late. (Donl.)

10. First of all he must have a square meal. He had eaten nothing since midday yesterday. (A. Chr.)

11. If Jo were only with him! The boy must be forty now. (Galsw.)

To be

1. What am I to say to you? You saved me last night? (O.W.)

2. What am I to do – feed his body to the fishes because no country will have him? (Hailey)

3. Early on December 3 he packed his rucksack, left a note at the studio for Glyn, who was soon to arrive in London and entertained for Sussex. (Cr.)

4. Mr. Mark Twain, who was to make such a blighting speech at the mass meeting of the Independence last night, didn’t come on time. (M. Twain)

5. She was wearing her gold-coloured frock for, having been displayed at the dinner-party, a soiree, and a dance, it was now to be worn at home. (Galsw.)

6. She and Carton were to have met there, they both had an order to view the same house, and if they took such elaborate precautions to make their meeting appear accidental they must have suspected they were followed. (A. Chr.)