Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb.
1. ………………………… you work this sum?
Can expresses ability.
2. I ………………………… lift this box.
Cannot expresses inability.
3. He …………………………. be at home now.
May expresses possibility in affirmative sentences.
4. ………………………… it be a dog?
Can expresses possibility in questions and negative sentences.
5. No. It ……………………….. be a tiger.
Can expresses possibility in questions and negative sentences.
6. I ………………………….. run miles when I was young.
Could shows past ability.
7. He said that I …………………………… go home.
Both could and might can indicate permission.
8. You …………………………. not enter my house again.
With second and third person pronouns shall can be used to express a command or threat.
9. I ……………………………. not permit this.
Will indicates determination.
10. She ………………………….. sit for hours listening to the radio.
We can use will to express characteristic habit.
11. ………………………….. you lend me your pen?
Will is often used in polite requests.
12. She said she ………………………. buy me drinks.
Answers
1. Can you work this sum?
2. I cannot lift this box.
3. He may be at home now.
4. Can it be a dog?
5. No. It cannot be a tiger.
6. I could run miles when I was young.
7. He said that I could / might go home.
8. You shall not enter my house again.
9. I will not permit this.
10. She will sit for hours listening to the radio.
11. Will you lend me your pen?
12. She said she would buy me drinks.
