Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb.
1. He …………………. be at home. I am not sure.
We use may to express possibility.
2. ……………………. I borrow your car?
Please select 2 correct answers
In an informal style, may is also possible here.
3. I ……………………… climb that mountain when I was young.
We use could to talk about past ability.
4. It …………………….. be true.
We do not use can in affirmative sentences to talk about possibility.
5. She wondered whether it ………………………. be true.
6. You ……………………… not enter my house again. (Order)
Shall can be used with second and third person pronouns to express a command, promise or threat.
7. …………………….. I help you?
Shall is used in polite offers of help.
8. ……………………… I get you something to drink?
9. If it ………………………. rain, we will cancel the picnic.
Should is often used in conditional clauses to express a supposition that may not be true.
10. I ……………………….. have my way in this matter.
Must indicates strong determination.
11. He ……………………….. not wait for me.
When need is a modal auxiliary, it does not take –s in the third person singular.
12. .................................... we wait for him?
Answers
1. He may be at home. I am not sure.
2. Can / May I borrow your car?
3. I could climb that mountain when I was young.
We use could to talk about past ability.
4. It could be true.
5. She wondered whether it could be true.
6. You shall not enter my house again.
7. Shall I help you?
8. Shall I get you something to drink?
9. If it should rain, we will cancel the picnic.
10. I must have my way in this matter.
11. He need not wait for me.
12. Should we wait for him?
