Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb.
1. They haven’t eaten anything for hours. They ......................... be hungry.
Must shows inference.
2. The product is selling well. It ...................... be good.
Must expresses a logical conclusion.
3. She left home at six. She .......................... be here soon.
Just like must, should also expresses a logical conclusion.
4. I can't find my wallet. I had left it on the table. Somebody ............................... have stolen it.
5. There is something behind the curtain. It ............................. be the cat.
Please select 2 correct answers
We can use may, might or could here. We do not use can in affirmative sentences to express logical possibility.
6. There is someone outside the door. Who ............................ it be?
Please select 2 correct answers
Either can or could is possible here.
7. 'Why is she so late today?' 'She ............................... be working late.'
Please select 2 correct answers
Either could or may can be used here.
8. How ........................... anybody be so cruel?
Please select 2 correct answers
Either can or could is possible here.
9. You ......................... have told me that you were not coming.
10. We went skiing last week. That ........................... have been fun.
Must is used to make a logical inference.
11. You .................................. have told her. She already knew.
Should not and must not show prohibition. Need not shows lack of necessity or obligation.
12. Winter ........................... be quite harsh in this part of the world.
Use can to talk about what is typical of a person or place.
Answers
1. They haven’t eaten anything for hours. They must be hungry.
2. The product is selling well. It must be good.
3. She left home at six. She should be here soon.
4. I can’t find my wallet. I had left it on the table. Somebody must have stolen it.
5. There is something behind the curtain. It may be the cat.
6. There is someone outside the door. Who can it be?
7. ‘Why is she so late today?’ ‘She could/may be working late.’
8. How can anybody be so cruel?
9. You should have told me that you were not coming.
10. We went skiing last week. That must have been fun.
11. You needn’t have told her. She already knew.
12. Winter can be quite harsh in this part of the world.
