REPHRASING: MODALS

Its advisable to hire bodyguards.

You should/ought to/had better hire bodyguards.
Dont eat so quickly in case you get stomachache.
Dont eat so quickly because you may get a stomachache.
Its not a good idea to sign autographs. There are too many people.
You shouldnt/oughtnt to/hadnt better/had better not sign autographs.
There are
It is essential that these catalogues are sent off by Friday.
These catalogues must be sent off by Friday.
You are allowed to eat at the restaurant without wearing a tie.
You dont have to wear a tie to eat at the restaurant.
I advised you to put your money in the bank.
You had better put your money in the bank.
You are free to look at anything you like.
You can look at anything you like.
Maybe Tim has lost his way.
Tim might have lost his way.
Its not necessary to leave yet. The limousine hasnt arrived.
We dont have to leave yet. The limousine hasnt arrived.
Do they sell brown sugar in this shop?
Can I buy brown sugar in this shop?
Did you manage to stop him?
Were you able to stop him?
Smoking is prohibited in this compartment.
You mustnt smoke in this compartment.
He stole the book and should be punished for it.
He ought to be punished for stealing the book./because he stole the book.

She finds it strange to stay at home all day.

She is not used to staying at home all day.
It would have been a good idea to tell me your decision.
You should have told it to me your decision.
This crane is capable of lifting many tons.
This crane is able to lift many tons.
Im pretty sure he drove far too fast.
He must have driven far too fast.
You shouldnt eat salty things. Theyre terrible for you blood
pressure.
Youd better not eat salty things. Theyre terrible for your blood pressure.
I think hes broken his leg, but Im not sure.
I think he may have broken his leg, but Im not sure.
It is not permitted to use a motorbike without wearing a helmet.
You mustnt use a motorbike without wearing a helmet.
Im quite certain that isnt Johns car. His is blue.
That car cannot be Johns car. His is blue.
He took the safe keys with him in case the security officer had gone
home.
He took the safe keys with him because the security officer may have gone.
Im sure the butler didnt do it.
The butler cant have done it.
Having to speak English all day is new to me.
Im not used to speaking English all day.
Why dont we go to an amusement arcade this afternoon?
Shall we go to an amusement arcade this afternoon?
Its possible that Bill saw me.
Bill may have seen me.
I advise you to ask for a loan. This is an excellent opportunity to
buy a new car.

Youd better ask for a loan. This is an excellent opportunity to buy a new car.
Im not going to water the plants today in case it rains.
Im not going to water the plants today because it may rain.
Im sure that Peters at home because the phone is engaged.
Peter must be at home because the phone is engaged.
John only understood very little of what the teacher said.
John could hardly understand what the teacher said.
Its important for us to go to the film premiere.
We must/had better go to the film premiere.
The roof of your house needs repairing.
You ought to repair the roof of your house.
It was a mistake to leave.
You ought not to have left.
Its necessary to wear a helmet when riding a motorbike.
You have to/must wear a helmet when riding a motorbike.
They think theyll be capable of finding a cure for the disease with
these experiments.
They think theyll be able of finding a cure for the disease with these
experiments.
Its a good idea for Bruce to go home if he feels ll.
Bruce should/ought to go home if he feels ill.
Its essential to bring your books to each class.
You must bring your books at each class.
USE OF MOBILE PHONES PROHIBITED.
You mustnt use mobile phones.
My sister-in-law knew how to ride a bicycle when she was four.
My sister-in-law could ride a bicycle when she was four.
It is not necessary for Mary to come so early.
Mary doesnt have to come so early.

41.

I suggest you use a dictionary more often.

I think you should/ought to use a dictionary more often.

42.

Doctor, you need to come quickly!

Doctor, youd better come quickly!

43.

Jack is rumoured to have married half an hour ago.

Jack might have married half an hour ago.

44.

There is a choice of about twenty dishes in our menu.

You can choose about 20 dishes in our menu.

45.

If I were you, I wouldnt rent my flat to such a weird man.

Youd better not rent my flat to such a weird man.

46.
I think there is nobody at home. Nobody answered the phone when I
called.
They may not be at home. Nobody answered the phone when I called.
47.
bar.

You must be sixteen years old if you want to buy alcoholic drinks in a

You mustnt buy alcoholic drinks in a bar if you are not 16 years
48.

Its quite improbable that Rose wants to come.

Rose might not want to come.

49.

Its likely they didnt receive the invitation.

They may not have received the invitation.

50.

Peter knew how to skate when he was twelve.

Peter was able to skate when he was 12.

51.

It wasnt necessary for us to pay to get in.

You didnt have to pay us to get in.

52.

Claire said she found it strange to get up so late.

Claire said she wasnt used to getting up so late.

53.

Perhaps David didnt notice you.

David may/might not have noticed you.

54.

It was a bad idea for us to be so rude to the policeman!

We shouldnt/oughtnt to/hadnt better/had better not be so rude to the

policeman!
55.

I think you were wrong to sell your bike.

You shouldnt have sold your bike.

56.

Ann possibly hasnt left yet.

Ann couldnt have left yet.

57.

It is a waste of time worrying, after all!

You dont have to worry after all!

58.

There is a possibility of better weather tomorrow.

The weather may/might be better/improve tomorrow.

59.

Im sure youre going to have a wonderful time.

Im sure you will have a wonderful time.

60.

You are not allowed to buy cigarettes if you are under 18.

You mustnt buy cigarettes if you are under 18.

61.

I was told to work late at the office yesterday.

I had to work late at the office yesterday.

62.

Those bags look heavy. Lets me help you, mistress.

May I help you with those heavy bags, mistress?

63.

Do you stay for dinner this evening?

Would you like to stay for dinner this evening?

64.

Im never going to arrive late again, I promise.

I promise Ill never arrive late again.

65.

We need a new fridge. Dont you think its time we bought one?

We need a new fridge. Dont you think we should/ought to/had better buy
one?

66.

It isnt new for us to use a computer.

We are used to using a computer.

67.

I insist you say sorry to him.

You must/had better say sorry to him.

68.

Ive finished my exams. It isnt necessary for me to study any more.

I dont have to study any more. Ive finished my exams.

69.

Why dont we have a quiet evening at home?

Shall we have a quiet evening at home?

70.

It isnt possible for me to meet you this evening.

I cannot meet you this evening.

71.

Its possible that I will finish work earlier than usual today.

I may finish earlier than usual today.

72.

He knows how to do a cartwheel.

He can do a cartwheel.
73.

Perhaps theyve eaten all the almonds in the packet.

They may have eaten all the almonds in the packet.

74.
You have to trust in me because Im the only one who knows the
truth.
You must trust in me because Im the only one who knows the truth.
75.

Your hair needs washing.

You ought to wash your hair.

76.

The policeman took his gun in case the thieves were armed.

The policeman took his gun because the thieves may be armed.
77.

It isnt necessary for your mum to do the cleaning.

Your mum doesnt have to do the cleaning.

78.

Its likely hes digging in the garden.

He may be digging in the garden.

79.

The car isnt where I left it. Im sure somebody has stolen it.

The car isnt where I left it. It must have been stolen.

80.

You should have a rest and go on holiday, the doctor advised him.

Youd better have a rest and go on holiday, the doctor advised him.