Hi EnglishQuizA112 questions · Beginner · Modal Verbs and Related Expressions
Multiple-choice practice on can and can't: the one unchanging form, the bare verb that follows it, questions without do, short answers, and the difference between asking permission and making a request. Every question is followed by the answer and an explanation.
____ you speak French? — Only a little.
Why: The question is about ability, which is can, and can needs no help to form a question — it simply goes to the front. "Do you speak French?" is a real question too, but it asks whether you use the language, not whether you are able to.
My grandfather is eighty, but he ____ ride a bike.
Why: Can never takes -s, whatever the subject. Adverbs such as still, always and never go after can and before the main verb, which stays in its base form.
We ____ hear you. Could you speak a bit louder?
Why: Can builds its own negative by adding n't, so no do and no be are involved. Notice the polite Could you…? in the second sentence — a softer way of asking than Can you…?
How can works: one form for every subject, a bare verb after it, questions without do, and short answers with can and can't.
How to use could and couldn't for what people were or weren't able to do in the past: the forms, questions, short answers, and polite Could you…?
Must and have to both mean it is necessary. Has to and had to change form, must never does. Mustn't means don't do it; don't have to means you don't need to.
How to give advice with should and shouldn't: the base verb after should, Should I…? questions, I don't think you should, and the difference from must.
