Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb.
1. She ………………… speak Italian really well.
We use can to talk about ability.
2. I asked if you ………………………….. arrive in the afternoon.
When the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, we use a past tense in the subordinate clause. Could is the past tense of can.
3. She ………………………… walk when she was just nine months old.
4. If you take rest for an hour, you ……………………… feel better.
Please select 3 correct answers
All of these can be used to talk about possibility in affirmative sentences.
5. After giving birth, a woman ……………………. suffer from depression for many months.
May is often used to talk about typical occurrences.
6. She said that she ………………………….. go to the movies.
Might is the past tense of may.
7. You …………………………… have lots of money, but that doesn’t mean you are better than me.
8. When I was a child, I …………………………. watch TV whenever I wanted.
We use could to talk about past ability.
9. …………………………… he arrive on time?
10. I ………………………. be happy even if I do not win the prize.
Will is used to make predictions about the future.
11. She …………………………… be here soon.
We often use should to talk about logical possibility.
12. I …………………………….. kill him if he reads my letters again.
Will is used in threats.
Answers
1. She can speak Italian really well.
2. I asked if you could arrive in the afternoon.
3. She could walk when she was just nine months old.
4. If you take rest for an hour, you may / might /could feel better.
5. After giving birth, a woman may suffer from depression for many months.
6. She said that she might go to the movies.
7. You might have lots of money, but that doesn’t mean you are better than me.
8. When I was a child, I could watch TV whenever I wanted.
9. Will he arrive on time?
10. I will be happy even if I do not win the prize.
11. She should be here soon. 12. I will kill him if he reads my letters again.
