Page 37 - IELTS Preparation Grammar and Vocab

Modals (2) 4

2.10 Be supposed to
We can use be supposed to to express a less strong obligation than with should or ought to. Using be supposed to
often suggests that events do not happen as expected:
The entry code is supposed to be known only by the security guard. (= suggests that it was in fact known by
others)
We can use be supposed to to report what people think is true
The building is supposed to be one of the most secure in the country. (= people say it is.) (noti-ht-imitding-sheatel-

eft Other verbs with modal meanings
A number of other verbs are used with similar meanings to modal verbs:
No one is to enter the building until the police give permission. (= obligation — formal)
Everyone present was required to give a statement to the police. (= obligation)
How did they manage to get in? (= ability)
We have succeeded in narrowing down the list of suspects. (= ability)
He might be prepared to tell us more. (= willingness)
The suspects have refused to co-operate. (= unwillingness)
From the evidence found, it follows that it was carefully planned. (= conclusion — formal)
We can conclude that the paintings were stolen by professionals. (= conclusion)

Grammar exercises

in Choose the correct verbs.

1 have been mad to jump off the wall like that You might / will have broken a leg.
You
should must
I didn't dare to admit I couldn't be admitting that I'd dropped his laptop. He will have been / would have been
2
so angry with me.
The weather forecast said it might be raining can be raining later, so we'd better to / we'd better take an
3
umbrella when we go out.
4 The work on repairing the bridge is supposed to start / ought to start next month, but there have been a lot
of complaints about it. It's the height of the tourist season, so they couldn't / mustn't have chosen a worse
time to do it.
Jan must
5 have to know must have known the brakes on the car weren't working properly. He really should
have warned / had better have warned me when he sold it to me.
6 There have been yet more delays in building our new office block. They must were supposed to have
finished by now, but I'm starting to think that I might can have retired before it's built.

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