8/6/2019 Modal Verbs [Can & Cannot]: Note & Exercises

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Modal VerbsCan & Cannot

Khirol Azuddin

Modal Verbs

Can and Cannot

Express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or

impossibility.

Modal Verbs and Its Function Positive Forms Negative Forms

Ability

1. I can wake up early in themorning.

2. He can study the revisionbook for three hours

straight.

1. My mother will wake meup every morning because

I cannot wake up on my

own.

2. She did not sleep well lastnight, so she cannot focus

well in the class.

Opportunity

1. Suhaimi has no homeworktoday. He can go to the

field and play football.

2. Tomorrow is Saturday, andwe can visit the Zoo.

1. Sheila cannot go out to thefun fair because she has

not finished her

homework.

2. You cannot go intouniversity if you do not

study hard.

Permission

1. Rahim can earn extrapocket money if hebehaves himself well.

2. Siti can only go out towatch movie at cinema ifshe finishes all her

homework.

1. Hana cannot go out fromher house because she wasnaughty at school.

2. Jamil did not go to tuitiontoday, so his mom said hecannot go out to play

football with his friend.

Request

1. Can I sleep late tonight?Malaysia is going to face

Arsenal football club, live

from Stadium Bukit Jalil.

2. Can I have fried rice formy dinner?

1. Cant I go to the stadiumnext week? I want to watch

Malaysia versus Singapore

football match.

2. Cant I rest for a while? Iam tired from schoolactivities.

Possibility

1. Anyone can go to schoolto learn something for their

future.

2. If you can do your disheswhen you finish your

dinner, your mother might

be proud of you.

1. There is no way that youcannot finish your

homework within 5 days.

2. If you cannot sleep atnight, try to drink warm

milk first.

8/6/2019 Modal Verbs [Can & Cannot]: Note & Exercises

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Modal VerbsCan & Cannot

Khirol Azuddin

A. Gap-Filling Exercise

Complete the sentences using can or cannot.

1. If you feel sick, you _________ go home unless you ask for permission by the teacherfirst.

2. Everyone! If you _________ come for Sports House practice in this afternoon, youwill get a letter of warning.

3. Syazana _________ run very fast in 100 metres sprint.4. Zakri _________ get first place in the class if he studies really well.5. _________ I get fever if I play football in heavy rain?6.

You _________ waste any time now. The examination is around the corner.

7. No one _________ play badminton if you do not bring your sport attire.8. Badrul _________ watch cartoon after he has done his homework.9. _________ go home because you missed the bus? Tell your parents or teachers first

before doing anything on your own.

10.They _________ borrow the storybook from the library because they did not bringtheir library card.

B. Group Work

What are things that you can do or cannot do when you are in a public space

(bank, hospital, library, etc.)?

Can Cannot