Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb.
1He ............... come yesterday.
Wrong!
Use "couldn't" for inability in the past.
2I'm not sure, but they ............... come in the evening.
Wrong!
Use "might" for an uncertain future possibility, as "I'm not sure" shows.
3When she was a child, she ............... spend hours talking to herself.
Wrong!
Use "would" to describe a repeated habit in the past ("When she was a child").
4When we were kids, we ............... go swimming every weekend.
Wrong!
Use "would" for a repeated past activity after "When we were kids."
5You ............... apologize for being rude to him.
Wrong!
Use "must" to show strong obligation.
6If you have already applied, you ............... not apply again.
Wrong!
Use "need" in "need not" to say something is not necessary.
7You ............... exercise regularly.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "should" and "ought to" give advice.
8I ............... never forget this experience.
Wrong!
Use "will" for a firm promise or certainty about the future.
9This is too difficult; I ............... do it without help.
Wrong!
Use "cannot" to say that something is impossible for you.
10Glass ............... be blown into different shapes.
Wrong!
Use "can" for a general possibility or ability of a material.
11Chennai ............... be quite hot in summer.
Wrong!
Use "can" for something that is sometimes true or typical.
12You ............... never throw away anything useful.
Wrong!
Use "should" to give advice about the right thing to do.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- He couldn’t come yesterday.
- I’m not sure, but they might come in the evening.
- When she was a child, 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 should / ought to exercise regularly.
- I will never forget this experience.
- This is too difficult; I cannot do it without help.
- Glass can be blown into different shapes.
- Chennai can be quite hot in summer.
- You should never throw away anything useful.

