Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary.
1You ............... start coming on time. (strong obligation)
Wrong!
Use "must" to show strong obligation.
2You ............... pay for this. (threat)
Wrong!
Use "will" to express a threat about the future.
3She ............... be working late tonight. (weak possibility)
Wrong!
Use "might" to show a weak possibility.
4She ............... spend hours talking to herself. (past habit)
Wrong!
Use "would" to describe a repeated habit in the past.
5You ............... give credit where it is due.
Wrong!
Use "ought to" to show advice or moral obligation.
6............... the train be on time?
Wrong!
Use "Will" to ask about a future event.
7"Can somebody help me?" "I ..............." (willingness)
Wrong!
Use "will" to show willingness to help.
8............... I borrow your car? (permission)
Wrong!
Use "Can" to ask for informal permission.
9She ............... not get the job. (possibility)
Wrong!
Use "may" to show possibility.
10I promise I ............... tell anybody.
Wrong!
Use "will not" in a promise about the future.
11............... you mind my sitting here?
Wrong!
Use "Would" in the polite request "Would you mind...?"
12She ............... be here soon. (logical conclusion)
Wrong!
Use "should" to express a logical conclusion or expectation.
Answers
- You must start coming on time. (strong obligation)
- You will pay for this. (threat)
- She might be working late tonight. (weak possibility)
- She would spend hours talking to herself. (past habit)
- You ought to give credit where it is due.
- Will the train be on time?
- “Can somebody help me?” “I will” (willingness)
- Can I borrow your car? (permission)
- She may not get the job. (possibility)
- I promise I will not tell anybody.
- Would you mind my sitting here?
- She should be here soon. (logical conclusion)
