MODAL VERBS (KEY)

1. Find the incorrect sentences. The mistakes have to do with the form of
modals.

1. I think you should work harder.

2. Do you can speak Japanese? → Can you speak Japanese?
3. Mary thinks it may rain later.
4. The twins must tidy their bedroom.
5. Sally musts go to the dentist soon. → must
6. I’m sorry but we must to go now. → must go
7. That can’t be the postman. It’s much too early.
8. The dog didn’t should steal food from the fridge. → shouldn’t
9. We maying go to France in September. → may
10. Could you lend me your dictionary?

2. Use a suitable modal to complete the sentences. Use some modals more than
once. Sometimes there is more than one correct answer.

Can Can’t Could Must Mustn’t Shouldn’t May Might

1. I want the salt, please.
2. It’s a bad idea for you to go.
3. It’s possible it will rain tomorrow.
4. Do you have the ability to swim?
5. Do not park here.
6. Is it OK if I use your phone?
7. That isn’t a bird. It’s impossible!
8. It’s important that you stop smoking.
9. It’s possible I’ll ask you to help me.
10. Fred is unable to sing.
Can / Could you pass me the salt, please?
You shouldn’t go.
It may / might /can rain tomorrow.
Can you swim?
You mustn’t park here.
Can / Could / May I use your phone?
That can’t be a bird!
You must stop smoking.
I may / might / can ask you to help me.
Fred can’t sing.

3. Choose the best option.

1. Jeff may not / can’t / might not ride a bicycle. He never learnt to do it.
2. I’m sure you can’t / couldn’t / must be tired. You were awake all night.
3. It might / should / must be a nice weekend. If it is, we’ll go to the beach.
4. May / Should / Could you close the window? I’m cold.
5. Mobile phones can / must / might be switched off during the flight.
6. You really should / could / might stop smoking.
7. That can / should / can’t be a spider. It’s only got six legs.
8. Tom isn’t here. He can / may / shouldn’t be at home.
9. You shouldn’t / couldn’t / mustn’t forget your passport this time!
10. Drivers can / may / should go more slowly. There are too many accidents.
 MODAL PERFECTS (KEY)

1. Complete the sentences. Use a modal perfect from the list and the correct
form of the verb in brackets.

Might have (x2) Could have Should have Had to

Didn’t have to Would have Needn’t have

1. What would you have done (do) if you’d been me?

2. I’m not sure but I think it might have been (be) the postman who knocked
just then.
3. No one could have predicted (predict) last night’s thunderstorm. It was a
total surprise.
4. Do you think I should have called (call) Nick?
5. None of us had to get up (get up) early so we slept till eight.
6. Phil needn’t have sent (send) me these flowers but I’m glad he did!
7. I think Tom might have been (be) here. I think I saw his car.
8. We didn’t have to clean (clean) the flat because the kids had already done it.

2. True or false?

1. Jo shouldn’t have been silly.

Jo wasn’t silly. True False
2. That must have been an eagle.
I’m sure it was an eagle. True False
3. You couldn’t have been there.
I’m sure you weren’t there. True False
4. I didn’t have to go to school yesterday.
I probably went to school. True False

3. Choose the best option.

1. I tried and tried but I can’t / couldn’t open the jar.

2. How nice of you to write and thank me. You really had to / needn’t have.
3. When we were at school we must / had to wear a school uniform. We all hated
it.
4. I heard a noise. I think it must have / should have been the cat jumping
through the window.
5. You could have / would have laughed if you had seen his face!
6. I’m afraid I can’t have / wasn’t able to get in touch with George.
7. You might have / can’t have seen Tim. He left for the States last week.
8. I think you should have / had to apologized to Samantha.
9. I needn’t / didn’t have to work last Sunday. I had a day off.
10. That letter must / might have arrived by now. I sent it yesterday.