MODALS
1Complete the sentences with the modals below.
mustn’t • may • had to • can • wasn’t able to
1.Just tell me if there’s anything I ……………………… do to help you.
2.He was late because he ……………………… work overtime.
3.Pete ……………………… ride a bicycle until he was eight years old.
4.It’s very cold outside. It ……………………… snow tonight.
5.Please stop it! You ……………………… shout like that.
2Rewrite the sentences with the modal or modal perfect form of the words in brackets. Do not change
the original meaning of the sentences.
1.I think I’ve met him before. (might)
......
2.They would like to get married in June. (may)
......
3.I suggest that you call Daniel at 4.00. (should)
......
4.It isn’t possible that you saw Jack at the party last night. (couldn’t)
......
5.It wasn’t very nice of us to forget Clara’s birthday. (ought to)
remembered Clara’s birthday.
3Choose the correct answer.
1.It’s 11.00. The parade ought to / would / must begin soon.
2.It was snowing so we can / had to / must wear our coats.
3.When I saw him, I might not / can’t / couldn’t remember his name.
4.We might / should / must have an exam tomorrow, but I’m not certain.
5.Hurry up! We could / need to / may leave now.
6.My mum often says, “You can’t / couldn’t / mustn’t talk with food in your mouth.”
4Complete the sentences with the affirmative or negative of the modal form of the words below.
should buy • can meet • need cook • may start • must call
1.I ……………………… Lucy and invite her or she will be insulted.
2.We ……………………… our tickets an hour before the film begins.
3.James ……………………… us in the park because he’s got a doctor’s appointment.
4.The show ……………………… late because they’re expecting a large crowd.
5.We’re having dinner at a restaurant. You ……………………… a meal for us.
6.That’s a lovely dress, but you ……………………… (needn’t / spend) so much money.
5Complete each sentence with a suitable modal, affirmative or negative. There may be more than one possible answer.
1.No pushing, please. You ………………… wait your turn in the queue.
2.You ………………… book in advance. It’s a very popular restaurant.
3.You ………………… hire a driver. We will take you around the city.
4.………………… you see the Eiffel Tower from your window?
5.It ………………… rain later, so take an umbrella.
6.We ………………… be late. Our host will be insulted.
7.We ………………… go sightseeing yesterday because the weather was very bad.
6Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets. Do not change the original meaning.
1. There’s a possibility that we’re going to check out a day earlier. (might)
......
2. Smoking in the hotel is forbidden. (mustn’t)
......
3...They had tickets to the concert, but decided not to go. (could have)
......
4.Does she know how to drive? (can)
......
5...... It’s impossible that his story is true. (can’t)
......
6.I’m certain that’s my luggage. (must)
......
7.I suggest you book in advance. (should)
......
......
7Complete the sentences with the modals below.
couldn’t • shouldn’t • may • can • must • mustn’t
1.You …………………… drive over the speed limit.
2.…………………… I please use the car today?
3.We’re stuck in traffic so we ……………………be late.
4.There’s very little petrol in the car, so you …………………… fill up on the way home.
5.We …………………… hear the announcement because there was so much noise.
6.You …………………… worry. He’s a careful driver.
8Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets.
1.There’s a possibility that my cousin is going to visit me next Sunday. (might)
......
2.Walking on the grass is not allowed. (mustn’t)
......
3.John has the ability to be an excellent football player, but he doesn’t like the game. (could have)
......
4.It wasn’t nice that you didn’t call me on my birthday. (ought to)
......
5.Everyone expected the president to arrive on time, but he was late. (should have)
......
6.Claire doesn’t have to return the car today. (needn’t)
......
7.Holly doesn’t know how to drive. (can’t)
9Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets. Use affirmative or negative modals or modal perfects. There may be more than one correct answer.
1.They ……………………………… (help) me instead of just sitting there. It was a lot of work to do on my own.
2.There was no need to be rude. You ……………………………… (ask) me nicely.
3.I can’t find my phone anywhere. I ……………………………… (leave) it in the shop.
4.I love Sundays. It’s the only day I ……………………………… (get up) early.
5.John ……………………………… (buy) a car now because he wasted his money on unnecessary things.
6.Tom ……………………………… (have) an argument with his girlfriend. They both look upset.
7.I’m sure he didn’t ignore you. He ……………………………… (recognise) you.
10Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets. Do not change the meaning of the original sentences.
1.It’s possible that life exists on other planets. (might)
Life ......
2.It wasn’t necessary to tell Susan what I said. (need)
You ......
3.Perhaps that was Alicia who just walked by. (have)
That ......
4.I strongly advise you not to travel to that country. (had better)
You ......
5.I’m sure that Alex forgot that we were meeting today. (must)
Alex ......
6.It isn’t necessary to bring a gift. (have to)
You ......
11Complete the sentences. Use had better or should, affirmative or negative and the verbs below. There is more than one possible answer.
leave • buy • wear • stay out • apologise • forget
1.I think you were rude to Pete. You ……………………………… .
2.We have to get up really early tomorrow. We ……………………………… late.
3.Cycling can be dangerous, so you ……………………………… a helmet.
4.It’s already 5 o’clock. I ……………………………… before there is too much traffic.
5.The tickets are selling quickly. You ……………………………… now if you want to go to the game.
6.It’s Mum’s birthday tomorrow. You ……………………………… to call her.
12Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets. Do not change the meaning of the original sentences.
1.I want you to come home by 11 o’clock. (had better)
......
2.Claire had the ability to be a professional cyclist, but she never wanted
to make the effort. (could have)
......
3.It wasn’t OK that you used my computer without my permission. (should)
......
4.Do you mind if I ask you how much your bike cost? (may)
......
5.It was wrong to listen to our conversation. It was private. (shouldn’t)
......
6.There’s a possibility that he forgot about our meeting. (might)
......
7.I don’t believe that this is the original painting. (can’t)
......
8.There’s a possibility he will call you tonight. (may)
......
13Complete the sentences with the affirmative or negative form of the verbs in brackets. Use should or had better.
1.You broke my window. (pay)
You ......
2.Dad needs the car at 6 o’clock. (be late)
You ......
3. There’s a lot of traffic on the motorway. (leave early)
They ......
4.The food is delicious. (eat)
You ......
5.Jack is probably sleeping now. (call him)
We ......
14 Complete the sentences with the modal perfect form of the verbs in brackets. There may be more than one possible answer.
1.It was wrong of Jamie to miss the celebration.
He ……………………… (take part) in it with the rest of us.
2.I’m sure that no one in the team made that noise.
It ……………………… (be) one of the spectators.
3.Anne doesn’t know how to drive.
She ……………………… (take) the car.
4.He isn’t answering the phone.
He ……………………… (already go) to sleep.
5.It’s a pity Dan didn’t play.
We ……………………… (win) the game.
16 Complete the sentences using the correct form of the words in brackets. Do not change the original meaning.
1.It wasn’t necessary to bring me a gift. (need)
You ......
2.Perhaps that was Joe who just walked by. (might)
That ......
3.I’m not sure we made reservations. (might)
We ......
4.There’s a possibility that we won’t arrive on time. (may)
We ......
5.Participation is mandatory. (have to)
Everyone ......
6.We had the option of staying at more expensive accommodation. (could)
We ......
7.There’s no need to stand in the queue. (have to)
You ......
8.I suggest staying in a hotel near the city centre. (should)
You ......
9.I regret travelling alone. (should)
......
10.It’s not my luggage because mine is brown. (can)
That ......
7.The necklace is beautiful, but you ……………………………… (buy) me such an expensive gift.