This grammar exercise tests your ability to use modal auxiliaries correctly. Fill in the blanks.
1. She ....................... have gone to work but I am not sure.
Can is only used to talk about theoretical possibility. In other cases, we use may to indicate possibility.
2. You ............................ be right. I don't know.
3. ........................... I borrow your camera?
Both can and may are used to ask for permission.
4. ............................ you move a bit?
In polite requests, we use can, not may.
5. ...................... I come in teacher?
Both can and may can be used to ask for permission.
6. She .......................... read when she was just three.
We use could to talk about past ability.
7. It is impossible. They ............................. have lost their way.
8. You ....................... go after you have finished your work.
May is considered more correct here but can is gaining acceptance.
9. What ......................... you do if she doesn't recognize you?
To express simple futurity, we use will.
10. .............................. you translate this article into German?
Both can and could are possible here; could is used in a more polite style.
11. Who ......................... it be?
In questions we use can to express possibility.
12. You ................... smoke in the kitchen.
Answers
1. She may have gone to work but I am not sure.
2. You may be right. I don’t know.
3. Can / May I borrow your camera?
4. Can you move a bit?
5. Can / May I come in teacher?
6. She could read when she was just three.
7. It is impossible. They can’t have lost their way.
8. You can / may go after you have finished your work.
9. What will you do if she doesn’t recognize you?
10. Can you translate this article into German?
11. Who can it be?
12. You can’t smoke in the kitchen.
