Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb.
1She ............... struggle to feed such a large family.
Wrong!
Use "must" to show that something is necessarily true or very likely from the evidence.
2With favorable winds, a sailing ship ............... outperform a steamship.
Wrong!
Use "can" to show ability or possible performance.
3It ............... be wise to confess your fault; honesty is the best policy.
Wrong!
Use "would" to give a careful opinion about what is wise in a situation.
4............... you feel your way in the dark?
Wrong!
Use "Can" to ask about ability.
5The ambassador ............... throw a party for the visiting dignitaries on Saturday; the invitations have already been sent.
Wrong!
Use "will" for a planned future event or confident prediction; the invitations show the party is going ahead.
6We ............... see the top of the hill in the thick mist.
Wrong!
Use "couldn't" for inability in the past.
7This picture ............... look better in a black frame, so let's buy one.
Wrong!
Use "would" to describe an imagined result.
8Cover your cough so you ............... spread germs.
Wrong!
Use "won't" to express the intended result of the action.
9A gentleman ............... never use such language.
Wrong!
Use "would" to describe expected behavior in a type of person.
10The goblins ............... get you if you don’t watch out.
Wrong!
Use "will" for a warning about a future result.
11You ............... get a spanking when your father comes home.
Wrong!
Use "will" for a confident statement about the future.
12What ............... I give you for your birthday?
Wrong!
Use "can" to ask what it is possible or suitable to give.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- She must struggle to feed such a large family.
- With favorable winds, a sailing ship can outperform a steamship.
- It would be wise to confess your fault; honesty is the best policy.
- Can you feel your way in the dark?
- The ambassador will throw a party for the visiting dignitaries on Saturday; the invitations have already been sent.
- We couldn’t see the top of the hill in the thick mist.
- This picture would look better in a black frame, so let’s buy one.
- Cover your cough so you won’t spread germs.
- A gentleman would never use such language.
- The goblins will get you if you don’t watch out.
- You will get a spanking when your father comes home.
- What can I give you for your birthday?