Fill in the blanks.
1. You are no longer a baby. You ........................... know better.
Correct!
Wrong!
2. ......................... I come in?
Correct!
Wrong!
May is considered more appropriate here. However, can is also possible.
3. Epidemics ............................ break out any time.
Correct!
Wrong!
We use can to talk about theoretical possibility.
4. You ............................. not tell her. I don't want her to know.
Correct!
Wrong!
Either could be used here. Shall not shows prohibition. Should not is less strong.
5. You ............................ not park in front of the gate.
Correct!
Wrong!
All of these are possible here.
6. There is the doorbell. Who ........................ it be?
Correct!
Wrong!
Can can be used in questions to talk about logical possibility.
7. That ........................ be Martin. He said he would come in the afternoon.
Please select 2 correct answers
Correct!
Wrong!
Either will or could can be used here. Will shows certainty. Could shows weak possibility. In affirmative sentences, can is not used with this meaning.
8. What ......................... we do if I lose my job?
Correct!
Wrong!
9. When I was younger, I .............................. go swimming every weekend.
Correct!
Wrong!
Would is used to talk about past habits.
10. You .......................... get going.
Correct!
Wrong!
Had better is used to give strong advice. It does not have a form with have.
11. You ............................... to inform them.
Correct!
Wrong!
Ought is followed by an infinitive with to.
12. You ................................ have woken me up.
Correct!
Wrong!
Answers
- You are no longer a baby. You should know better.
- May / Can I come in?
- Epidemics can break out any time.
- You shall / should not tell her. I don’t want her to know.
- You must / may / shall not park in front of the gate.
- There is the doorbell. Who can it be?
- That will / could be Martin. He said he would come in the afternoon.
- What will we do if I lose my job?
- When I was younger, I would go swimming every weekend.
- You had better get going.
- You ought to inform them.
- You needn’t have woken me up.
