Grammar quiz · level A2

Can, could, should, must, have to

Ability, advice, rules and polite requests. Simple rules and a 10-question quiz.

Can and could

Can is for ability and permission. Could is for ability in the past, and for polite requests.

Should is for advice: a good idea.

Must and have to are for things that are necessary, or rules.

Mustn't means it is not allowed. Don't have to means it is not necessary.

Use the base verb, with no to and no -s: She can swim (not: she cans swim, she can to swim). Have to is different: it keeps to.

She ___ speak three languages.
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can. After can, no -s and no to.
You look tired. You ___ go to bed early.
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should. Should gives advice.
___ you help me with this bag, please?
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Could. Could makes a polite request.
You ___ smoke in the hospital. It's not allowed.
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mustn't. Not allowed: mustn't.
Tomorrow is Sunday, so I ___ get up early.
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don't have to. It is not necessary: don't have to.
When I was young, I ___ run very fast.
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could. Ability in the past: could.
It's the law: drivers ___ stop at a red light.
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must. It is a rule: must.
He has to ___ a uniform at work.
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wear. Has to + base verb: has to wear.
___ I open the window?
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Can. Asking for permission: Can I …?
You ___ pay now. You can pay next week.
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don't have to. It is not necessary now: don't have to.

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Word list: New General Service List 1.2 by Browne, Culligan and Phillips (CC BY-SA 4.0). Example sentences: Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR). Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture. Listening uses the voice built into your device.

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