Mastering English: Essential Vocabulary and Modal Verbs
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Essential English Vocabulary
Here's a list of useful English words and phrases, along with their meanings:
- To put off: To postpone or delay
- Stage: A step or phase in a process
- Prompt: On time or before the expected time
- Deadline: The last day or time by which something must be done
- Rush hour: Peak time when traffic is heaviest
- Sharp: Exactly on time (e.g., 9 o'clock sharp)
- Timing: The ability to do something at the right moment
- In a hurry: To be rushed or have a sense of urgency
- Plenty: A lot of; a large quantity
- Brief: Short in duration
- On time: Punctual; at the scheduled time
- At a time: At a particular moment
- Downtime: A period when you are less busy or doing fewer things
- Sidetracked: To be distracted from your main task
- Drag on: To continue for too long, making something seem endless
- At short notice: With little advance warning or time to prepare
- Keep to schedule: To follow a timetable or plan
- Selfish: Egoistic; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure
- Tip: Advice or a small sum of money given for a service
- Willpower: The strength of will to carry out one's decisions or plans
- Thrill: A sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure
- Maybe: Perhaps; possibly
- Task: A piece of work to be done or undertaken
- Fallacy: A mistaken belief; a lie
- Actually: In fact; in reality
- Rather than: Instead of; in preference to
- On your own: By yourself; independently
- Whether: Expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives; if
- Deserve: To be worthy of something
- Disturb: To bother or interrupt
- Mad: Crazy; insane
- Drives you mad: To make someone very angry or annoyed
- Take into account: To consider something
- Slip up: To make a mistake
- Juggle: To manage multiple tasks or activities at the same time
- Adrenaline rush: A sudden burst of energy and excitement
- Take your time: Don't hurry; proceed at your own pace
- Had the time of my life: To have had a very enjoyable experience
- Time is up: The allotted time has finished
- For the time being: For now; temporarily
- Stands out: To be noticeable or prominent
- Wake up: To stop sleeping and become conscious
- Call off: To cancel
- Go by: To pass
- Get back: To return
- Bring about: To cause something to happen
- Get by: To survive or manage with difficulty
- Barely: Hardly; scarcely
- Count in: To include someone in an activity or plan
- Goes off: To explode or be activated (e.g., an alarm)
Understanding Modal Verbs
Examples and Exercises
Let's practice using modal verbs correctly:
- You can't have seen Louise in town. She's away in Scotland.
- I don't envy him. It can't be easy having three jobs.
- I'm sorry, but would you repeat that?
- It must have rained last night. The street's wet.
- You needn't have driven me home. I could have walked.
- He must have forgotten about the meeting. It happens all the time.
- You should go to the doctor as soon as possible. You don't look well!
- You don't have to wash the dishes. I've already done it.
- I'm so cold standing here. I should have brought warmer clothes.
Choose the Correct Modal Verb
- I shouldn't have stayed up so late.
- I'm sure you must have seen this film.
- I can't afford to get a large-screen TV. It's too expensive.
- They can't have sold all the tickets yet! The venue is huge!
- It might rain tomorrow.
- We must finish the costumes.
- You mustn't bring glass bottles into the venue. It's against the rules.
- I don't think you should see the film until you've read the book.
Choose the Correct Answer
- That can't be her. She's away on holiday. But that girl really resembles her.
- You mustn't use your mobile phone here.
- Could I have a glass of water, please?
- In my opinion, she ought to leave her job. She hates it.
- We shouldn't give the dog so much food.
- They might share a flat again next year.
- She was glad that she didn't have to work on her own.
- You must be so hungry! Have some of these disgusting chips.
Complete the Sentences
- He had to wear a hat to the party last week. It wasn't voluntary.
- How much did you have to pay yesterday for the meal?
- You mustn't make a noise. There's an exam in room fifteen.
- Next week we must go to the library to give back the book.
- You mustn't play loud music late at night.
- It's Saturday tomorrow, so he won't get up early.
- Registration is at eight twenty. You mustn't be late.
- How many exams did she have to take last year?
- Why did they have to go to the airport so early?
- My sister had to apply for a new passport last month.
Choose from Multiple Options
- Sorry, but I won't be able to fix your computer.
- We don't have to study French. It's not compulsory.
- I'm not sure who sent me this message, but it might have been Dave.
- You shouldn't have said that about her. It was rude.
- There are no more tickets left! We should have bought some yesterday!
- You can't be serious! No one will agree to that.
- You couldn't have seen this film in 2019. It wasn't released until 2020.
- In my opinion, Madison ought to take part in the school play. She's a great actress.