Fill in the blanks with should, could or may.
1You ............... him what I said.
Wrong!
Use "shouldn't have told" to criticize a past action that was a mistake.
2............... we have invited her?
Wrong!
Use "Should" to ask whether an action was the right thing to do in the past.
3He ............... play the violin when he was 7.
Wrong!
Use "could" to talk about general ability in the past.
4You ............... consulted a doctor.
Wrong!
Use "should have" before a past participle to give advice or criticism about the past.
5He ............... half an hour ago.
Wrong!
Use "should have arrived" for an expected action that was due before now.
6We ............... the bus but we decided to walk instead.
Wrong!
Use "could have taken" for a past possibility that did not happen.
7I ............... stayed any longer.
Wrong!
Use "couldn't have" before a past participle to show that something was impossible in the past.
8I ............... made a mistake.
Wrong!
Use "may have" before a past participle to show a possible past action.
9The construction of the bridge ............... completed by the end of this month.
Wrong!
Use "may be" before a past participle to form a passive meaning about possibility.
10They ............... arrive at any time.
Wrong!
Use "may" to show that a future event is possible.
11The program ............... start at 5.
Wrong!
Use "should" to show that something is expected to happen.
12You ............... lied to me. Why didn't you tell me the truth?
Wrong!
Use "shouldn't have" before a past participle to criticize a past action.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- You shouldn’t have told him what I said.
- Should we have invited her?
- He could play the violin when he was 7.
- You should have consulted a doctor.
- He should have arrived half an hour ago.
- We could have taken the bus but we decided to walk instead.
- I couldn’t have stayed any longer.
- I may have made a mistake.
- The construction of the bridge may be completed by the end of this month.
- They may arrive at any time.
- The program should start at 5.
- You shouldn’t have lied to me. Why didn’t you tell me the truth?