Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb.
1. He ………………………. come yesterday.
Correct!
Wrong!
Use couldn't to talk about past inability.
2. They …………………………. come in the evening.
Correct!
Wrong!
We do not use can in affirmative sentences to talk about possibility.
3. She ……………………….. spend hours talking to herself.
Correct!
Wrong!
Use would to talk about past habits.
4. When we were kids, we ………………………….. go swimming every weekend.
Correct!
Wrong!
Use would to talk about past habits.
5. You ………………………… apologize for being rude to him.
Correct!
Wrong!
Must shows strong obligation.
6. If you have already applied, you …………………………… not apply again.
Correct!
Wrong!
Need shows lack of obligation.
7. You …………………………. to exercise regularly.
Correct!
Wrong!
Ought is the only modal auxiliary followed by a to-infinitive.
8. I ………………………….. never forget this experience.
Correct!
Wrong!
9. I …………………….. do this without help.
Correct!
Wrong!
10. Glass ………………………….. be blown.
Correct!
Wrong!
Use can to talk about theoretical possibility.
11. Chennai …………………………. be quite hot in summer.
Correct!
Wrong!
Use can to talk about properties typical of a person or thing.
12. You …………………………… never throw away anything useful.
Correct!
Wrong!
Answers
- He couldn’t come yesterday.
- They might come in the evening.
- She would spend hours talking to herself.
- When we were kids, we would go swimming every weekend.
- You must apologize for being rude to him.
- If you have already applied, you need not apply again.
- You ought to exercise regularly.
- I will never forget this experience.
- I cannot do this without help.
- Glass can be blown.
- Chennai can be quite hot in summer.
- You should never throw away anything useful.
