Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb,
1In a formal notice giving permission: You ............... leave early if you have finished your job.
Wrong!
Use "may" to give permission in a formal or polite way.
2Asking for permission: ............... I go now?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Can" and "May" are both used to ask for permission; "Must" asks about obligation.
3I ............... not meet him, so I left a message with his mother.
Wrong!
Use "could" with "not" to talk about past inability.
4............... I ask you a question?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"May" and "Could" are both polite ways to ask a question. "Would I...?" is not used to ask for permission.
5............... you pass the salt?
Wrong!
Use "Could" to make a polite request.
6The sign means: You ............... park here.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"May not" and "cannot" both mean that parking is not allowed.
7............... I leave my bags with you?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Can" and "May" are both used to ask for permission. "Would I...?" is not used to ask for permission.
8............... you give me a lift?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Can" and "Could" are both used to make requests.
9On most planes, you ............... smoke.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"May not" and "cannot" both mean that smoking is not allowed.
10She ............... not come; she hasn't decided yet.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"May" and "might" both show possibility: perhaps she will not come, because she hasn't decided yet.
11Who ............... it be?
Wrong!
Use "can" in "Who can it be?" to ask about logical possibility. "May" is not normally used in direct questions about possibility, and "must" does not fit.
12I ............... not pass the test although I worked hard.
Wrong!
Use "could" with "not" to talk about past inability.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- In a formal notice giving permission: You may leave early if you have finished your job.
- Asking for permission: Can / May I go now?
- I could not meet him, so I left a message with his mother.
- May / Could I ask you a question?
- Could you pass the salt?
- The sign means: You may not / cannot park here.
- Can / May I leave my bags with you?
- Can / Could you give me a lift?
- On most planes, you may not / cannot smoke.
- She may / might not come; she hasn’t decided yet.
- Who can it be?
- I could not pass the test although I worked hard.