Rewrite using modal auxiliary verbs

In English, we can express a lot of ideas using modal auxiliary verbs.
The modal auxiliary verbs are: will, would, can, could, may, might, must, ought to, need, used to and dare.
They express ideas such as possibility, permission, prohibition, obligation, necessity, duty, willingness etc.
Rewrite the following sentences using modal auxiliary verbs. Make sure that the meaning does not change.
1. It is not necessary for you to wait any longer.
2. You are required to respect the national flag.
3. She was able to read when she was three.
4. I was able to solve the problem.
5. Perhaps she would come.
6. You are prohibited from entering my home.
7. You are allowed to go home.
8. She is able to speak English.
9. It is possible to blow glass.
10. It is not necessary for her to pay for that call.
11. It is possible for wars to break out at any time.
12. I prefer to stay at home instead of going to the club.
Answers
1. You need not wait any longer.
2. You must respect the national flag.
3. She could read when she was three.
4. I could solve the problem.
5. She might come.
6. You must not enter my home.
7. You may go home.
8. She can speak English.
9. Glass can be blown.
10. She need not pay for that call.
11. Wars can break out at any time.
12. I would rather stay at home than go to the club.

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General grammar exercise

Complete the following sentences using an appropriate word or phrase.
1. Do you enjoy ………………. models from clay?
a) to make
b) make
c) making
d) to making
2. While holidaying in Sydney, Martin  …………….. a strong Australian accent.
a) caught
b) earned
c) acquired
d) scored
3. ……………………. he was, he played well.
a) Though tired
b) Tired though
c) As tired
d) Although tired
4. ………………. she was, she could not react at all.
a) Though shocked
b) Although shocked
c) As shocked
d) Shocked as
5. The front door was open, ……………… nobody was at home.
a) as
b) and
c) but
d) so
6. The bell has already ……………………..
a) rang
b) ring
c) rung
d) ringing
7. Stella ………………….. wait for her birthday.
a) can hardly
b) can’t hardly
c) won’t hardly
d) couldn’t hardly
8. There were ………………… students in the class than expected.
a) few
b) fewer
c) less
d) lesser
9. I did …………………… work today than yesterday.
a) fewer
b) lesser
c) less
d) few
10. Dad has …………………. on the sofa all morning.
a) laid
b) lain
c) lied
d) lay
Answers
1. Do you enjoy making models from clay?
2. While holidaying in Sydney, Martin acquired a strong Australian accent.
3. Tired though he was, he played well.
4. Shocked as she was, she could not react at all.
5. The front door was open, but nobody was at home.
6. The bell has already rung.
7. Stella can hardly wait for her birthday.
8. There were fewer students in the class than expected.
9. I did less work today than yesterday.
10. Dad has lain on the sofa all morning.

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Intransitive verbs used as transitive verbs

A transitive verb takes an object. An intransitive verb, on the other hand, does not have an object.

Study the examples given below.

The peon rang the bell.
The peon rang what? The bell

As you can see, here the verb ‘rang’ has an object. Therefore, it is a transitive verb.
Now consider another example.

• The boy laughed loudly.

Here the verb ‘laughed’ does not have an object. Therefore, it is an intransitive verb.
When an intransitive verb is used in a causative sense it becomes transitive.
Examples are given below.

• Intransitive: The dog walks.
• Transitive: The man walks the dog. (Here the verb ‘walks’ becomes transitive because it has an object. The man causes the dog to walk.)
• Intransitive: Birds fly in the sky.
• Transitive: The boys fly their kites. (Here the verb ‘fly’ becomes transitive because it has an object. The boys cause the kites to fly.)

Some common verbs are distinguished as transitive or intransitive by their spelling.
Study the examples given below.

• Many trees fall in a storm. (Here the verb ‘fall’ is intransitive. It does not have an object.)
• Woodcutters fell trees. (NOT Woodcutters fall trees. Fell means cause to fall.)
• The doctor asked the patient to lie still. (Here the verb ‘lie’ is intransitive.)
• Lay the books on the table. (Lay means cause to lie. Here the verb ‘lay’ is transitive.)
• Rise with the lark. (Here the verb ‘rise’ is intransitive.)
• The teacher asked the boys to raise their hands. (Here the verb ‘raise’ is transitive because it has an object.)

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Make questions

This grammar exercise tests your ability to make questions in English.
1. …………………… you received my letter of October 3? (do / have / will)
2. Why …………………… you crying? (have / is / are)
3. What ………………….. they looking at? ( have / are / do)
4. How much ………………….. that apartment cost? (does / have / do / has)
5. ………………….. you like Beethoven? (Do / Have)
6. What ………………………. ‘nepotism’ mean? (does / has / is)
7. ………………………. you show me your identity card? (Can / Do / Have)
8. ………………………. you heard anything from them? (Have / Do / Can)
9. What ………………………. she want? (does / has / is)
10. Where ………………………. you been all this while? (have / do / had)
11. ………………………. you go swimming last weekend? (Did / Had / Have)
12. ………………………. she coming tomorrow? (Is / Does / Has / Will)
13. When ………………………. the tickets reserved? (was / were / did / had)
14. Where ………………………. the Prime Minister and his wife staying? (was / are / have)
Answers
1. Have you received my letter of October 3?
2. Why are you crying?
3. What are they looking at?
4. How much does that apartment cost?
5. Do you like Beethoven?
6. What does ‘nepotism’ mean?
7. Can you show me your identity card?
8. Have you heard anything from them?
9. What does she want?
10. Where have you been all this while?
11. Did you go swimming last weekend?
12. Is she coming tomorrow?
13. When were the tickets reserved?
14. Where are the Prime Minister and his wife staying?

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