Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb.
1. You have been running for a long time. You .......................... be tired.
Must shows logical conclusion.
2. She has got lots of clients. She ......................... be a highly successful lawyer.
3. I can't find my purse now. Somebody ................................. have stolen it.
4. 'Who .......................... it be?'
5. It ............................. be the postman. He has already been.
Must not shows prohibition.
6. .......................... you lend me a few hundred dollars?
7. I haven't decided what I am going to do during the summer holidays. I ......................... go to Goa.
May and might can both show possibility. Might shows weak possibility.
8. You .............................. reveal these secrets to anyone.
9. We ............................. live without oxygen.
Cannot shows inability.
10. Where ............................ she have gone?
11. You ............................. have told me before taking my car.
Must shows strong obligation.
12. You ............................. regret this.
Will can express a threat.
Answers
1. You have been running for a long time. You must be tired.
2. She has got lots of clients. She must be a highly successful lawyer.
3. I can’t find my purse now. Somebody must have stolen it.
4. ‘Who can it be?’
5. It can’t be the postman. He has already been.
6. Can you lend me a few hundred dollars?
7. I haven’t decided what I am going to do during the summer holidays. I might go to Goa.
8. You must not reveal these secrets to anyone.
9. We cannot live without oxygen.
10. Where could she have gone?
11. You must have told me before taking my car.
12. You will regret this.
