MODAL VERBS

Intensive Grammar
Intermediate Level
Sebastián Jiménez Cerón
 SHALL

 To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion (When you are

quite sure of a positive answer)

 Shall + subject + base form of the verb

Shall we go for a walk?

 Note: Shall is only used with I or we. It is used instead of will only
in formal English.
 SHOULD

 To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion (When you are

not sure of a positive answer)

 Should + subject + base form of the verb

Should I call a doctor?

 SHOULD

 A Prediction or Expectation that Something Will Happen

 should/shouldn’t + base form of the verb

1. The proposal should be finished on time.

2. I shouldn’t be late. The train usually arrives on

time.
 SHOULD // OUGHT TO

 To Give Advice.

 should / ought to + base form of the verb

 1. You should check that document before you send it out.

 2. You ought to have your car serviced before the winter.

 SHOULD

 To Give Advice (about something you think wrong or

unacceptable)

 Shouldn’t + base form of the verb

James shouldn’t teach him words like those.

 EXERCISES

 Fill in should, shouldn’t or ought in the following sentences

as in the example.
• 0. He shouldn’t encourage such bad behavior.
• 1. You _____ get your teeth cleaned at least once a year.
• 2. The house ______ be ready to move into by next month. It’s
almost finished.
• 3. Ron ________ to improve his attitude. If he doesn’t, he
might get fired.
• 4. ________ I get your jacket? It’s cold in here.
• 5. You ________ put your feet on the table. It’s not polite.
 WHICH SENTENCE IS CORRECT?

1. We should to leave soon.

2. We should leaving soon.

3. We should leave soon.

 WHICH WORD GOES IN THE
S PAC E ?

We ____ visit Eric when we are in London.

1. Should
2. Ought to
3. Didn’t ought to
 W H I C H QU E S T I O N I S
CORRECT?

1. Should we call the police?

2. We should call the police?

3. Do we should call the police?

 WHICH SENTENCE IS
CORRECT?

1. We ought have a party to celebrate Kate’s birthday.

2. We ought to have a party to celebrate Kate’s birthday.

3. We should to have a party to celebrate Kate’s

birthday.
 W H I C H WO R D G O E S I N T H E
S PAC E ?

You _____ ride a motorbike without a helmet.

1. shouldn’t
2. Ought
3. ought not
 W H I C H QU E S T I O N I S
CORRECT?

1. Ought we to tell Jane the news?

2. Ought we tell Jane the news?

3. We ought to tell Jane the news?

 W H I C H QU E S T I O N I S N O T
CORRECT?

1. When should we telephone you?

2. Where ought we to park our car?

3. Who should he to write to?

 WHICH SENTENCE IS NOT
CORRECT?

1. Jenny should happy about the news.

2. You ought to invite your grandparents.

3. People shouldn’t park their cars

here.
 COMPLETE THE SENTENCE.

You _____ do that!

1. don’t should
2. shouldn’t
3. don’t ought to
 COMPLETE THE SENTENCE.

We _______ invite Cassie and Jack to

dinner.
1. Ought
2. Should to
3. Ought to