Fill in the blanks with appropriate modal auxiliary verbs.
1. My grandmother is eighty-five, but she ……………… still read and write without glasses. (Ability)
We use can to express ability.
2. …………….. I come with you?
We use can to ask for permission.
3. ………………. you help me with the housework, please? (Polite request)
We use could in polite requests.
4. There was a time when I ………….. stay up very late. (Past ability)
We use could to talk about past ability.
5. You …………….. not lose any more weight. You are already slim. (Necessity)
We use need to show necessity.
6. We …………… make the first move. (Prohibition)
We use must not to prohibit.
7. It is snowing outside so I …………… stay at home. (Intention)
We use will to express our intentions.
8. I ………………. get you a shawl from Kashmir. (Promise)
We use will to make a promise.
9. …………….. you mind if I borrowed your car? (Permission)
We use would in expressions with mind.
10. ……………. you take care of my dog for a day? (Polite request)
We can use will in requests.
11. Our country ………………. become a super power by 2025. (possibility)
We use may to indicate possibility.
12. She …………… sell her home because she needs money. (weak possibility)
Might indicates weak possibility.
Answers
1. My grandmother is eighty-five, but she can still read and write without glasses.
2. Can I come with you?
3. Could you help me with the housework, please?
4. There was a time when I could stay up very late.
5. You need not lose any more weight. You are already slim.
6. We must not make the first move.
7. It is snowing outside so I will stay at home.
8. I will get you a shawl from Kashmir.
9. Would you mind if I borrowed your car?
10. Will you take care of my dog for a day?
11. Our country may become a super power by 2025.
12. She might sell her home because she needs money.
