Modal Verbs Exercise 1

Complete the sentences using the words listed in the box below.
Don't forget to capitalize when necessary. Some gaps may have
more than one correct answer.

can could have to must might should

1. Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He --------------be
exhausted after such a long flight. He --------------prefer to stay in tonight
and get some rest.

2. If you want to get a better feeling for how the city is laid out,
you --------------walk downtown and explore the waterfront.

3. Hiking the trail to the peak -----------------be dangerous if you are not
well prepared for dramatic weather changes. You ---------------research the
route a little more before you attempt the ascent.

4. When you have a small child in the house, you ---------------leave small
objects lying around. Such objects --------------be swallowed, causing
serious injury or even death.
5. Dave: ------------------- you hold your breath for more than a minute?
Nathan: No, I can't.
6. Jenny's engagement ring is enormous! It -------------have cost a fortune.
7. Please make sure to water my plants while I am gone. If they don't get
enough water, they ----------------die.
8. I ------------------speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we lived in
Egypt. But after we moved back to Canada, I had very little exposure to
the language and forgot almost everything I knew as a child. Now,
I ------------------just say a few things in the language.
9. The book is optional. My professor said we ---------------------read it if we
needed extra credit. But we -------------------read it if we don't want to.
10. Leo: Where is the spatula? It -------------be in this drawer but it's not
here.
Nancy: I just did a load of dishes last night and they're still in the dish
washer. It ----------------be in there. That's the only other place it --------------
be.
11. You -----------take your umbrella along with you today. The
weatherman on the news said there's a storm north of here and it ----------
rain later on this afternoon.
12. ------------- we pull over at the next rest stop? I really --------------use the
bathroom and I don't know if I ---------------hold it until we get to Chicago.
13. Oh no! Frank's wallet is lying on the coffee table. He -----------------
have left it here last night.
14. Ned: --------------- I borrow your lighter for a minute?
Stephen: Sure, no problem. Actually, you -----------------keep it if you want
to. I've given up smoking.
15. I -----------------believe she said that to Megan! She --------------insult
her cooking in front of everyone at the party last night. She -----------------
have just said she was full or had some salad if she didn't like the meal.
16. Do you --------------------chew with your mouth open like that? Geez, it's
making me sick watching you eat that piece of pizza.
17. Mrs. Scarlett's body was found in the lounge just moments ago, and
it's still warm! Nobody has left the mansion this evening, so the
killer ----------------be someone in this room. It -----------------be any one of
us!!!

18. Ted: I don't know why Denise starting crying when I mentioned the
wedding.
Pamela: It ------------------have been what you said about her brother. Or,
perhaps she is just nervous. After all, the big day is tomorrow.
19. -------------------- you always say the first thing that pops into your
head? ----------------------- you think once in a while before you speak?
20. I was reading the book last night before I went to bed. I never took it
out of this room. It ----------------------be lying around here somewhere.
Where ---------------it be? be swallowed, causing serious injury or even
death.

Modal Verbs Exercise 2

Complete the sentences using the words listed in the box below
Negative and past forms are also used in this lesson. Some gaps
may have more than one correct answer.

must have to
1. I ---------------be at the meeting by 10:00. I will probably ---------------take
a taxi if I want to be on time.
2. You ------------------submit the application if it has not been completely
filled out. Check that the name, address, and background information are
correct. If the form is not accurate and complete, you will be rejected and
 you will ---------------reapply at a later date.
3. Tina: Look at these flowers - they're beautiful! But, there's no card.
Who could have sent them?
Stephanie: It ---------------have been David. He's the only one who would
send you flowers.

4. You -----------------forget to pay the rent tomorrow. The landlord is very

strict about paying on time.
5. You ---------------------be so rude! Why don't you try saying "please" once
in a while.
6. If you are over 18 in California, you --------------take a driver training
course to get a driver's license. You can have a friend or a family member
teach you instead. But remember, you -------------------still get your permit
before you start practicing.
7. You ------------------be rich to be a success. Some of the most successful
people I know haven't got a penny to their name.
8. Ed: My car broke down in Death Valley last week. I -----------------have it
towed more than a hundred miles to the nearest mechanic.
Lilly: That -----------------have cost a fortune!
9. While hiking in Alaska, you ---------------keep an eye out for bears. If you
see one, you --------------approach it. They are beautiful animals; however,
they are wild and unpredictable in nature. You ---------------be afraid of
them, but educating yourself about the dangers can help keep you safe.
10. I -------------go to work tomorrow because it is Memorial Day. The best
thing about a day off from work is that I -----------------get up at 6:00; I can
sleep in till noon if I want to.
11. Yesterday, I ---------------------cram all day for my French final. I didn't
get to sleep until after midnight.
12. Nate: Oh no! I completely forgot we were supposed to pick Jenny up
at the airport.
Barbara: She --------------------still be sitting there waiting for us.

13. Ingrid received a scholarship to Yale University which will cover 100%
of the tuition. She -------------------------worry at all about the increasing cost
of education.
14. When I was a child my grandmother was continually correcting our
manners. She always used to say, "One ------------------eat with one's
mouth open." Or, she would correct us by saying, "One ------------rest
one's elbows on the table." And every time I wanted to leave the table,
she would say, "One -----------------ask to be excused."
15. I've redone this math problem at least twenty times, but my answer is
wrong according to the answer key. The answer in the book -------------be
wrong!

Modal Verbs Exercise 3

Complete the sentences using the words listed in the box below Positive
and negative forms can be used. Some gaps may have more than one
answer.

might must should

1. Nancy said you didn't need to buy her anything for her birthday, but I
really think you -----------------at least get her some flowers or a nice bottle
of wine.
2. Debbie said she was busy this week, but I think she ---------------show
up at the party if she doesn't have to work overtime on Friday.
3. Nina said she would come over right after work, so she ------------------
be here by 6:00.
4. Oh my God, he's unconscious. Don't move him - he ----------------have
internal injuries. Somebody call an ambulance.

5. You ------------------------be kidding! That can't be true.

6. Dan: Where's the remote control? I want to change the channel.
Fiona: I don't know. It --------------------be under the couch. Or, perhaps I
absent-mindedly took it into the kitchen. I'll check in there.
7. For most people, learning a language is a challenging undertaking.
Experts agree that to make the most of your language learning
experience, you -------------------practice the language regularly and push
yourself to maintain old vocabulary while acquiring new words and
expressions.
8. New research suggests that exercise can reduce the chance of heart
disease as well as cancer. That's why I told my father that
he -----------------start walking once a day.
9. We should invite Sally and her husband to come to the picnic on
Saturday. We haven't seen them in weeks, and they ----------------really
enjoy a nice day at the beach.
10. Tim: While I was a student, I spent a year and a half studying Pygmy
culture in the Central African Republic. My research focused on unique
aspects of the their social structure and religion.
Simona: That --------------have been absolutely fascinating!
 11. We had better call Tony to see if he's at home before we go over to
his house. He ------------------be there and we don't want to drive all the
way over there for nothing.
12. At first, my boss didn't want to hire Sam. But, because I had
previously worked with Sam, I told my boss that he ----------------take
another look at his resume and reconsider him for the position.

13. You --------------worry so much. It doesn't do you any good. Either you
get the job, or you don't. If you don't, just apply for another one.
Eventually, you will find work.
14. I would love to go on the cruise to Tahiti with Robin and Michelle. But
such a luxurious trip ---------------cost a fortune. I doubt I could afford
something like that.
15. The book recommends adding fresh soil and using plant food to make
your garden flowers grow. Since some people might be allergic to
chemicals in artificial plant foods, the book says that you ----------------use
an organic brand to avoid skin irritations.

Modal Verbs Exercise 4

Choose the correct answer for each gap below
Use couldn’t and might not
1. Unfortunately, James and Michelle had already made plans, so
they ---------------------------come with us to the exhibition at the Museum of
Contemporary Art.
2. They have had several major snow storms in the mountains during the last
month. We had better call the highway patrol to check road conditions. The road to
Smithville --------------------------be passable.
3. We should call Tim before we go over to his house; he --------------------be there. I
don't want to drive all the way there for nothing.
4. In order to win the pie eating contest, Norman would have to eat sixteen pies in
ten minutes. He --------------------possibly eat that many pies - he would explode!
5. I know Eve wants to go to the ballet with us, but we'd better call her before we
get her ticket. She works Wednesday nights, and she ------------------------be able to
get time off that evening.

6. Susan ------------------------------hear the speaker because the crowd was cheering

so loudly.
7. It ---------------------------be a bad idea to take some snacks along while we're
hiking. Last time, we got so hungry we had to come back early without finishing the
hike.
8. Jerry might be angry, or he --------------------------You never really know with him
because he's so temperamental.
9. Jerry ------------------------be angry at me. I've never done anything to upset him.
10. The lamp ---------------------be broken. Maybe the light bulb just burned out.
11. When you were a child, you could swim from here to the little island in the
middle of the river, ---------------------- you? At least, that's what your father told me.
12. She ----------------------possibly be the winner of the talent show! The other acts
were much better than hers.
13. Frank and Sarah ------------------------get tickets to the concert. The concert was
sold out a little over an hour after tickets went on sale.
14 I heard that band is really popular, and tickets sell out quickly. You ---------------
get tickets if you wait too long.
15. That concert has been sold out for weeks. You --------------------get tickets even
if you knew the band personally. It's impossible!
16. It --------------------------be a bad idea to get a car alarm for your new sports car.
New cars tend to attract thieves.
17. That ----------------------possibly be Mr. Jones. He's lost so much weight that he
looks like a completely different person.
18. You -------------------------do the job if you didn't speak Arabic fluently.
19. Jane and Bill -------------------------have gotten the invitation to the party.
Perhaps, that's why they didn't show up. I doubt they would actually skip your
birthday party - they're your best friends!

20. I -----------------------------have left my keys at Simon's house. I wouldn't have

been able to drive home if I had done that. They must be somewhere here in the
apartment. Let's keep looking.

Modal Verbs Exercise 5

Complete the sentences using the words listed in the box below.
Don’t forget to capitalize when necessary. Some gaps may have
more than one correct answer.

may had better have got to shall

1. I know it's rather rude, but ---------------------I ask you where you
purchased that pocket watch? I have been looking for one like that for my
father.
2. You ------------------look good for your interview if you want to get the
sales job. You ----------------------wear the white shirt and the maroon tie. I
think that'll look really professional.
3. I -------------------be at work tomorrow by 7:00. I --------------------give a
marketing presentation to one of our clients.
4. It's pretty hot in the desert at this time of year. If we are going to do
 some hiking, we -------------------take at least two or three quarts of water
with us. Actually, it -------------------be hotter than we expect out there -
maybe we should take a gallon or more.
5. You ---------------------leave the table once you have finished your meal
and politely excused yourself.

6. I can't stand these people - I -----------------get out of here. I'm going to

take off for awhile while you get rid of them. When I get back,
they --------------------be gone.
7. ------------------- I try a little of your Black Forest cake? It looks absolutely
delicious - I -----------------taste it!
8. You -------------------take along some cash. The restaurant ------------------
not accept credit cards.
9. You ------------------take along some cash. The restaurant doesn't accept
credit cards.
10. ---------------- we move into the living room? It's more comfortable in
there and there's a beautiful view of the lake.
11. I'm not really sure if Susan is going to go snowboarding with us or not.
She -----------------decide to stay here and study for her Japanese final.
She ---------------get a good score on the test if she wants to qualify to
study abroad in Tokyo next semester.
12. ------------------- I have a look at that necklace there in the display case.
It's exactly what I've been looking for.
13. We -----------------no longer suffer the injustice of oppression.
We ----------------------never give up the struggle for freedom!
14. You --------------------be joking! If you think I'm going to give you a tip
after you mixed up the meal orders, spilled wine on me and insulted my
wife, you ------------------get your head examined!!!
15. Ian, Evelyn and Deborah will be attending the conference.
I ---------------------be attending as well.

Modal Verbs Exercise 6

Choose the correct answer for each gap below. Some gaps may
have more than one correct answer.

Could/ might/ should/ would

1.
Donna: If I won the ten million dollar lottery jackpot, I -----------------------
 afford to quit my job and travel the world.
Sam: Where --------------------you go if you had that much money?
Donna: I don't know, I --------------------------choose to spend a year in
Paris - or perhaps I ----------------------go to Kenya.
Sam: How often do you buy lottery tickets?
Donna: Never... I guess if I want to win the lottery, I ----------------------try
buying some tickets.
Sam: That ----------------------help.
2.
Waitress: Hi, my name is Sandy - I'll be your waitress tonight. What can I
get for you?
Tony: I haven't decided yet. Is there anything you ----------------
recommend? Is there anything you think I --------------------try?
Waitress: You -------------------try the Cajun catfish - or perhaps the
Gumbo. They're both delicious.
Tony: That sounds wonderful, but that ---------------------be a little too spicy
for me. Actually, the prawns sound good. Umm, ---------------------- I have
the barbecued prawns?
Waitress: Sure, ----------------------- you like a salad with that?
3.
Jan: What ----------------------we look for in a candidate when we vote in a
presidential election?

Peter: I think citizens ----------------------vote for a President who has the

ability to improve the quality of life in the United States.
Jan: What ------------------------you do if you were President of the United
States?
Peter: I --------------------focus on reducing environmental pollution.
Jan: Every candidate always says he's going to do that, but it's a really
complicated problem - it's not one which is easily solved. What makes
you think you ------------------actually stop pollution?

Modal Verbs Exercise 7

Choose the correct answer for each gap below

1. I'm not really sure where Beverly is. She -------------------------------in the
living room, or perhaps she's in the backyard. (might be sitting-might
sit- might have sat)
2. Doug -------------------------------the video we rented on his way to work. It
was on the table, but now it's gone.( must return-must not have
returned-must have returned)
3. You --------------------------------the air pressure in your tires. You don't
want to get a flat tire on your trip. ( ought to check-ought to be
checking-ought to checked)
4. The computer isn't working. It during
production.(must have been damaged-should have been damaged-
can be damaged)

5. The package --------------------------------------tomorrow afternoon. It was

sent by express mail this morning.( should have been delivered-should
be delivering-shouild be delivered)
6. You ----------------------------------the tickets for the play in advance - they
sell out quickly.( has to book-has to be booked-have to book)
7. You can't mean that! You --------------------------------------. (have got to be joking-
have to have joked-must joke)
8. If Debbie hasn't come home yet, she -------------------------------for us in
the coffee shop.( must still wait-must still be waiting-must still have
waited)
9. Mike decided not to join us for lunch. He -------------------------------at work
to finish the marketing report.( had to stay-should have stayed-should
have been staying)
10. If I had gone with my friends to Jamaica, I --------------------------------on
a white sand beach right now.( would be lying-would have lain-would
lie)
11. If I had gone with my friends to Jamaica, I ---------------------------------
come to work this week.( would not must-would have had to-would
not have had to)
12. If I had gone with my friends to Jamaica, I ----------------------------------
scuba diving lessons.( could have taken-might be taken-ought to be
taking)
13. Margaret agreed to meet us at the entrance to the theater.
She ------------------------------------for us when we get there.( ought to be
waiting-ought to have waited-ought to wait)
14. It ----------------------------------Sam who called and didn't leave a
message on the answering machine. He said he wanted to get together
with us this weekend.( ought to be-might have been-should have
been)
15. The machine ----------------------on by flipping this switch.( can turn-can
be turned-can be turning)
16. She ------------------------------------- That could have been why her eyes
were so red and swollen.( has to be crying- could be crying-might
have been crying)
17. If she was crying, she ------------------------------very upset.( shall be-
must have been-would have been)
18. That painting ----------------------------by Picasso. It could be a forgery.(
might be painting-might not paint-might not have been painted)
19. Your diving equipment --------------------------------------------regularly if
you want to keep it in good condition.( must have been cleaned-must
have being cleaned-must be cleaned)
20. If I hadn't taken a taxi, I ------------------------------for you at the train
station for hours.( ought to have been waiting-might have been
waiting-had to have waited)

Modal Final Test

Choose the correct answer for each gap below
1. Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours.
He -------------------be exhausted after such a long flight.
2. The book is optional. My professor said we could read it if we needed
extra credit. But we ---------------------read it if we don't want to.
3. Susan --------------------------hear the speaker because the crowd was
cheering so loudly.

4. The television isn't working. It ------------------------damaged during the

move.
5. Kate: ------------------------ hold your breath for more than a minute?
Jack: No, I can't.
6. You -----------------------be rich to be a success. Some of the most
successful people I know haven't got a penny to their name.
7. I've redone this math problem at least twenty times, but my answer is
wrong according to the answer key. The answer in the
book -----------------------be wrong!
8. You -------------------------do the job if you didn't speak Japanese fluently.
9. You ------------------worry so much. It doesn't do you any good. Either
you get the job, or you don't. If you don't, just apply for another one.
Eventually, you will find work.
10. You -----------------------be kidding! That can't be true.
11. You -----------------leave the table once you have finished your meal
and politely excused yourself.
 12. Jenny's engagement ring is enormous! It ----------------------a fortune.
13. ----------------------------- we move into the living room? It's more
comfortable in there and there's a beautiful view of the lake.
14. If I had gone white water rafting with my friends, I ------------------------
down the Colorado River right now.
15. At first, my boss didn't want to hire Sam. But, because I had
previously worked with Sam, I told my boss that he --------------------take
another look at his resume and reconsider him for the position.
16. You --------------------take along some cash. The restaurant may not
accept credit cards.

17. The machine ----------------------------on by flipping this switch.

18. I can't stand these people - I ----------------------------get out of here. I'm
going to take off for awhile while you get rid of them.
19. You ----------------------------forget to pay the rent tomorrow. The
landlord is very strict about paying on time.
20. Do you always have to say the first thing that pops into your
head. ------------------------------ you think once in a while before you speak?
21. Terry and Frank said they would come over right after work, so
they -------------------------------be here by 6:00.
22. Yesterday, I ---------------------cram all day for my French final. I didn't
get to sleep until after midnight.
23. We ------------------------------no longer suffer the injustice of oppression!
Freedom shall be ours!
24. If I had gone to the University of Miami, I --------------------participated in
their Spanish immersion program.
25. The lamp -----------------------be broken. Maybe the light bulb just
burned out.