This grammar exercise tests your ability to use modal auxiliary verbs. Fill in the blanks.
1. She may …………………….. his name.
After modal auxiliary verbs, we use the infinitive without to. There is no –s in the third person singular.
2. She ……………………….. speak English.
Modal verbs have no –s in the third person singular.
3. He ………………………….. do that.
Modal auxiliary verbs make questions and negatives without do.
4. You must …………………………. now.
After modals, we use the infinitive without to.
5. The walls ought to ………………………… one of these days.
Passive infinitives can be used after modals.
6. I really ……………………… to work hard in those days.
The modal verb must does not have a past tense form. We use other verbs when necessary.
7. You ………………………….. me you were coming.
We can use have + past participle after a modal verb to express a past idea.
8. ‘Suma hasn’t arrived yet.’ ‘She ……………………….. the train.’
We can use have + past participle after a modal verb to express a past idea. Note that can is not used to talk about logical possibility.
9. She …………………………. be in London or Paris.
We do not use can in affirmative clauses to indicate logical possibility.
10. Chennai …………………………. be very hot in March.
We use can to talk about theoretical or habitual possibility.
11. ‘Where is Janaki?’ ‘She ………………………… have gone swimming.’
Please select 2 correct answers
May and might are possible here. We do not use can in affirmative clauses to talk about logical possibility.
12. Students ………………………….. use the staff car park.
All of these expressions can be used to talk about prohibition.
Answers
1. She may know his name.
2. She can speak English.
3. He should not do that.
4. You must leave now.
5. The walls ought to be painted one of these days.
6. I really had to work hard in those days.
7. You should have told me you were coming.
8. ‘Suma hasn’t arrived yet.’ ‘She might have missed the train.’
9. She could be in London or Paris.
10. Chennai can be very hot in March.
11. ‘Where is Janaki?’ ‘She may/might have gone swimming.’
12. Students must not / cannot / may not use the staff car park.
