Exercises

Exercise 1

Fill the spaces in the following sentences by inserting must or the present, past or future form of have to.

1. She ____ leave home at eight every morning at present.

2. Notice in a particular gallery: Cameras, sticks and umbrellas ____ be left at the desk.

3. He sees very badly; he ____ wear glasses all the time.

4. You ____ read this book. It’s really excellent.

5. She felt ill and ____ leave early.

6. You ______ come to work in time.

7. He _____ cook his own meals, his wife is away.

8. The buses were all full; I ____ get a taxi.

9. Tell her that she ______ be here by six. I insist on it.

10. I got lost and _____ ask the policeman the way.

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks with must or have to.

1. The dress is much too short for her, you _____ let it out.

2. We ____ wait for forty minutes because we missed the six fifteen.

3. I _____ stay in today. I _____ finish the composition.

4. These mushrooms _____ be boiled first.

5. She _____ get up very early to do the shopping.

6. If we don’t find him in now we _____ go there again.

7. The students _______ write four tests a year.

8. If I don’t hear from her today I ____ send her a telegram.

9. I couldn’t come. I ______ see a doctor about that tooth.

10. He’s too little for a long walk like that. Somebody _______ carry him part of the way.

Exercise 3

Fill in the blanks with must, have to, be to. Pay attention whether the action is only necessary or necessary and expected.

1. I ____ meet Mother at the station. So when the train drew in and she did not see me on the platform she was in a state.

2. I _____ leave early because I didn’t feel quite well.

3. One thing is clear. Someone ____ stay behind and look after the children and I don’t see why it _____ always be me.

4. The inn was very small and we _____ share a room.

5. This is Mary. She ____ live with us till her people come back from the east.

6. I’m the girl who ____ show you the place and introduce you to everybody.

7. At last everything was arranged. Daddy ____ call for us at ten and take us to the Zoo.

8. Mother had it all planned. Eileen ____ grow up a beauty and I ____ be the brains of the family.

9. You ____ hurry if you want to catch the train.

10. There’s no ice-cream. It ____ be delivered at twelve. I’m afraid someone ____ go down to the village and inquire.

Exercise 4

State in which meanings the modal verbs are used in these sentences. Translate them into Ukrainian.

1. The question must be solved before we can do anything.

2. Why do people have to call London a city of great contrasts?

3. The traffic keeps to the left in Great Britain. So you have to be very careful when you try to cross the road.

4. The jubilee is to be celebrated sometime this summer.

5. I have been on leave since Monday. I really must consult the doctor today as I have cut the last two consultations.

6. On Monday morning I was to have given my impressions of my trip abroad but unfortunately I was taken ill.

7. You are not to cool your food by blowing at it. Just wait a bit, there is no hurry.

8. And remember, you must come in and see the baby any time you can.

9. The doctor said to Mr. Walker, “You must keep off eating too much.”

10. What is to be done under the circumstances? Where am I to go?

11. Mind you mustn’t spend it all at once.

12. You are not to tell Mother about it. It’s our top secret.

13. I still hoped to get a letter from her, but it wasn’t to be.

14. But she must have seen him.

15. Oh, Mike, think how she must be suffering.

16. Those people must be tired, look at their faces.

17. They must have misunderstood me that Whitehall is a hall, it’s a street.

18. Helen must have failed to notice John or at least she pretended not to see him.

Exercise 5

Fill the spaces in the following sentences by inserting must or the present, future, or past form of have to.

1. She ____ leave home at eight every morning at present.

2. He sees very badly; he____ wear glasses all the time.

3. You ____ read this book; it’s really excellent.

4. She felt ill and ____ leave early.

5. I hadn’t enough money and I ____ pay by cheque.

6. I never remember his address; I always ____ look it up.

7. If you go to a dentist with a private practice you ____ pay him quite a lot of money.

8. In my district there is no gas laid on. People ____ use electricity for everything.

9. The shops here don’t deliver. We ____ carry everything home ourselves.

10. The buses were all full; I ____ get a taxi.

11. Tell her that she ____ be here by six. I insist on it.

12. When a tyre is punctured the driver ____ change the wheel.

13. She ____learn how to drive when her local railway station is closed.

14. Passengers____ cross the line by the foot-bridge.

15. I got lost and ____ ask a policeman the way.

16. Farmers____ get up early.

17. When I changed my job I ____ move to another flat.

18. Waiters____ pay tax on the tips that they receive.

19. Passengers____ be in possession of a ticket.

20. Whenever the dog wants to go out, I ____ get up and open the door.

Exercise 6

Write the sentences using can/ could, may/might, must, had to. Provide an appropriate context for these sentences.

Model: It must be a very interesting book. It’s worth reading. They say the plot is exciting, and the characters are true to life.

1. It is probably a very interesting game.

2. I am sure it is useful to go in for sports.

3. He is able to play football.

4. Perhaps the task is too difficult for them.

5. Perhaps they will win the game.

6. It is possible that they lost the game.

7. It is impossible that the match was easy.

8. I don’t believe that the trainer was satisfied with the results of the match.

9. I don’t believe that the trainer suggested such a silly thing.

10. Probably that tall boy is their best sportsman.

11. I don’t believe they will postpone such an important match.

12. He looks pale. Probably he is tired.

13. I am sure it’s a wonderful stadium.

14. Probably he did it.

15. He couldn’t but take part in the match.

Exercise 7

Put can, may or must (or the negative forms) in the spaces.

1. I _____ sharpen the pencils if you lend me your knife.

2. He told his secretary: “You _____ go home now if you like”.

3. The teacher told the class: “If you make a spelling mistake, you ____ write the correction three times”.

4. Mary _____ do her homework if her father doesn’t help her.

5. I said to my friend: “If I lend you my car, you _____ promise to drive it carefully”.

6. He ______ understand English people if they speak slowly.

7. _______ tell me the right time?

8. Little children _____ go to bed early.

9. I ______ write to him because I haven’t his address.

10. You _____ play football

Exercise 8

Study the following chart. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

Must in the meaning of duty, Must in the meaning of supposition of

obligation, necessity, command, high probability.

prohibition.

You must work hard. He is ill. He must stay in bed for some time. You must do it immediately. You mustn’t play football in the street.

You have worked hard all day, you must be tired. He must be waiting for you already. I telephoned a doctor, but there was no reply. He must have gone out.

Open the brackets using the correct form of the infinitive. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

1. George must (to be) pleased that he has passed his examinations.

2. I found this baby bird at the foot of a tree. It must (to fall) from the nest.

3. During the storm, the captain was on the bridge the whole time. He must (to be) exhausted afterwards.

4. If Fred left here at four o’clock, he must (to be) home by now.

5. Look, there is a tree right across the road! So there is. It must (to be) blown down by the gale last night.

6. I sat on a seat in the park and now my coat is covered in green stripes. The paint must (to be) wet.

7. As soon as I switched on my new electric cooker there was an explosion. There must (to be) something wrong with it.

8. I don’t know at what time I went to bed last night, but it was late. It must (to be) after midnight.

9. Look, the streets are wet; it must (to rain) now.

10. He promised to come at six, but he didn’t. He must (to forget) his promise.

11. I didn’t hear the telephone. I must (to be) asleep.

12. He must (to be) very careless if he makes such mistakes.

13. The baby woke up when she went into the bedroom. She must (to make) a noise.

14. The taxi-driver got to the airport in half an hour. He must (to drive) very fast.

15. He never got the letter. It must (to send) to the wrong address.

Exercise 9

Paraphrase the following sentences, using must+ infinitive to express supposition. Use the Indefinite infinitive when speaking about the present, the Perfect infinitive when speaking about the past.

1. No doubt she read about it in papers.

2. He is sure to be out at this time.

3. Of course she has changed her mind.

4. Probably they wanted to find a short cut through the forest.

5. They are certain to be looking for you.

6. Apparently she was trying to make up her mind about it.

7. No doubt they abandoned the car afterwards.

8. They are sure to have taken the wrong turning.

9. He is sure to be waiting for you at the office.

10. Probably they have taken the necessary steps.

Exercise 10

Fill the spaces by inserting have to in the correct form.

Model: The Present Indefinite Tense

She has to wear glasses, but only for reading.

We don’t have to come to the institute on Saturdays.

The Past Indefinite Tense

The last bus had gone,, so we had to take a taxi.

Yesterday was a holiday, so we didn’t have to get up early.

The Future Indefinite Tense

If you go there next winter, you will have to take some warm clothes with you.

The doctor said: “You’re much better. You won’t have to go to hospital”.

1. Fortunately his wife could drive, so he _____ drive all the way himself.

2. The apples were rotten; we _____ throw them away.

3. You can finish the work tomorrow; you _____ finish it today.

4. The old man can’t go out when it’s cold. He _____ stay indoors during the winter.

5. I’m very pleased that tomorrow is a holiday. I _____ get up early.

6. She lives a long way from the shops, but fortunately she ____ go shopping every day.

7. The bus was half empty yesterday, so I ______ stay.

8. My shirt is dirty. I ____ put on a clean one tomorrow morning.

9. Her father doesn’t allow her to stay out late. She ____ be in by nine o’clock every evening.

10. I must go to bed early tonight, as I _____ catch a train at five o’clock tomorrow morning.

Exercise 11

Express some planned, arranged necessity using the verb be to. Expand on the statements.

Model: They’re to arrive on Tuesday. We’ll discuss all the important questions with them.

1. He (to translate the article by Monday).

2. We (to leave home soon).

3. She (to move to a new flat).

4. They (to go to the country for the weekend).

5. He (to buy a new car; change his mind).

6. They (to arrange a meeting on Friday).

7. They (to hand in their papers in an hour).

8. They (to finish reading the book last week).

Exercise 12

Express some intention using the verb be to. Develop the situation.

Model: If you’re to become a top student, you must work extra hard. Only then you’ll make progress in foreign languages.

1. She (to be a well-known pianist).

2. He (to become a film-star).

3. They (to win the contest).

4. He (to become a professional sportsman).

5. You (to know the geography well).

6. They (to win the match).

Exercise 13

Write some instructions using the verb be to. Add some more sentences to develop the situation.

Model: These books are to be returned in two weeks. If you want to keep them longer, you must return them for renewal.

1. The form (to be filled).

2. The medicine (to take three times a day).

3. These tablets (to keep out of the reach of children).

4. This notice (to remove).

5. The tap (not to touch).

6. The window (not to open).

7. The task (to do in a month).

8. The instruction (to read at once).

Exercise 14

Express some order using the verb be to. React to these sentences in the appropriate way.

Model: You’re to help your brother.

Prompts: I’d like to, but…; I’m afraid that’s not possible; No way; All right, I’ll do that; Very well; No, I’d better not…

You (to do the room); you (to switch off the radio); he (to return home); she (to get down to work); you (not to come home late); you (not to argue back); you (not to put off till tomorrow what you can do today); he (not to smoke in the room); she (not to give up her English lessons).

Exercise 15

Express some prohibition using the verb be to. Make up responses to these sentences.

Model: You’re not to interrupt the adults.

Prompts: Well, I’m sorry. What more can I say? I’m terribly sorry. It won’t happen

again, I promise. Very sensible.

You (not to touch my things); you (not to be late for your lessons); you (not to take my cassette-recorder); he (not to come late); she (not to smoke); they (not to quarrel); you (not to speak loudly); you (not to lend him money).

Exercise 16

Fill in the blanks with be to, have to, or must using the correct form of the infinitive.

1. I didn’t know who ____ (to be) my travelling companion.

2. According to the state plan, many new dwelling houses _____ (to build) this year.

3. We _____(to work) hard to achieve good results.

4. “I think we _____ (to drop) anchor in that bay until the storm quiets down”, the captain said to his mate.

5. I _____ (to say) your behavior has been far from straightforward.

6. “Mabel has gone,” Lenny said in a flat, impersonal voice. The old woman went back to her chair and sat down heavily. “It _____ (to be). Where did she go, son?”

7. “Have you been studying much law lately?” I asked to change the subject. The answer was: ”Oh, my reading _____ hardly (to call) study.”

8. This is serious; you _____(not to joke) about it.

9. Will you please, hold the line a minute, darling? I _____(to change) the baby before I can speak to you.

10. If you go there in the morning, you _____(not to wait).

11. We couldn’t come, Henry _____(to take) some out-of-town relations to the theatre.

12. It was only a small family affair, so we _____(not to change).

13. I _____ (to tell) you it wasn’t simple after all. We _____(to tell) him all the details.

14. The day we _____ (to start) it rained worse than ever.

Exercise 17

Supply the correct forms of the words in brackets. Provide an appropriate context for these sentences.

Model: You (to be) to be home by 10 o’clock at the latest. – You are to be home by 10 o’clock at the latest. I want you to get home safely.

1. He (to be) to come soon.

2. They (to be) to arrive tonight.

3. They (to be) to be married in two months.

4. He (to be) to have gone to the conference last week, but he stayed at home.

5. She (to be) to be pitied.

6. If you (to be) to pass your exam, you must do your best.

7. They (to be) never to see their friend again.

8. If it (to be) to rain tomorrow, we’d stay in town.

9. The work (to be) to be finished in three weeks.

10. I (to be) to return home today.

11. You (to be) to listen to the text first, then you (to be) to do the exercises.

12. You (to be) not to take my books without my permission.

13. I never (dare) tell him the truth.

14. I (dare) say you’re tired after all that work.

Exercise 18

Work with a partner. Match the following headings to the four sets of verbs and phrases in the list below: permission; no obligation; obligation; prohibition.