Complete these sentences using modal verbs should or ought to and one of the verbs below.

check include keep listen meet plan receive refrigerate stay

1. You ____________________ my reply by now.

2. This medicine ____________________ in a cool place.
3. Heres someone you really ____________________.
4. If youre feeling ill, I ____________________ at home today, if I were you.
5. I think you ____________________ to him. He knew what he was talking about.
6. According to the label, the jam ____________________ after opening.
7. To have got a better mark, you ____________________ your answers more thoroughly.
8. The results were completely wrong. As a scientist she ____________________ the experiment more
carefully.
9. The information you send ____________________ details of courses taken at university.

Which sentence says the same as the one given, (a), (b) or (c)?

1. Its possible that they dont live here any longer.

a. They mightnt live here any longer. b. They cant live here any longer.
2. It isnt possible that they are twins.
a. They mightnt be twins. b. They cant be twins.
3. It could be that they are not married.
a. They mightnt be married. b. They cant be married.

Underline the word or words that are possible in each sentence.

1. Do you know where Mark left the car keys? He might/can have left them on the table.
2. If Jerry hadnt grabbed my arm, I may/might have fallen off the bridge.
3. They might/could have chosen anyone for the job, but they picked me.
4. I could/may have stayed overnight with Peter, but I thought I should get home as soon as possible.
5. In factories in the 19th century, a worker could/may be dismissed for being ill.

Underline the correct or more likely answer. If both are wrong, suggest a correct alternative.

1. I think she must/has to be rich.

2. They want us to leave by tomorrow. They mustnt/havent got be serious.
3. I heard about Janes accident. You must/had to have been worried about her.
4. He says hes 50, but he must/hasnt got to be that old.
5. I looked at my watch and must/had to admit that I didnt have much time.
6. To get to Peru, I must/had to borrow money from my sister.
7. Being o well-known, you must/have to receive hundreds of letters each week.
Correct the sentences with a verb in the correct form. Use may/might.

1. I cant find George anywhere. I wonder where he is.

a. (he / go / shopping) He may have gone shopping.
b. (he / play / tennis) He might be playing tennis.
2. Im looking for Helen. Do you know where she is?
a. (she / watch / TV / in her room) ________________________________________________________
b. (she / go / out) _____________________________________________________________________
3. I cant find my umbrella. Have you seen it?
a. (it / be / in the car) __________________________________________________________________
b. (you / leave / in the restaurant last night) ________________________________________________
4. Why didnt Tom answer the doorbell? Im sure he was in the house at that time.
a. (he / be / in the bath) ________________________________________________________________
b. (he / not / hear / the bell) ____________________________________________________________

Correct the sentences using must or need to.

1. We havent got much time. We _______________ hurry.

2. Weve got plenty of time. We ______________ hurry.
3. We have enough food at home so we _______________ go shopping today.
4. Jim gave me a letter to post I _______________ remember to post it.
5. Jim gave me a letter to post I _______________ forget to post it.
6. This is a valuable book. You _______________ look after it carefully and you _______________ lose it.

Correct the sentences using should.

1. Im feeling sick. I ate too much. ______________________________________________________________.

2. That man on the motorbike isnt wearing a helmet. ______________________________________________.
3. When we got to the restaurant there were no free tables and we hadnt reserved one.
________________________________________________________________________________________.
4. The notice says that the shop opens from 08:30. Its 09:00 now, but the shop is still closed.
________________________________________________________________________________________.
5. The speed limit is 30 miles an hour, but Catherine is doing at 50. ___________________________________.
Compare can / could etc. for actions:
I can go out tonight. (= there is nothing to stop me)
can
I cant go out tonight.
I could go out tonight. (but Im not very keen)
could
I couldnt go out tonight (=I wasnt able)
Can
can or may I go out tonight? (= do you allow me to go out?)
May
I think Ill go out tonight.
will/wont
I promise I wont go out.
I would go out tonight, but Ive got too much to do.
would
I promised I wouldnt go out.
shall Shall I go out tonight? (=do you think it is a good idea?)
should should
I go out tonight. (= it would be a good thing to do)
ought to ought to
I must go out tonight (= its necessary)
must
I mustnt go out tonight (= its prohibited I go out tonight)
neednt
I neednt go out tonight. (= it is not necessary that I go out)
Compare could have... / would have...etc.:
could I could have gone out last night, but I decided to stay at home.
would I would have gone out last night, but I had too much to do.
should or should
I have gone out last night. Im sorry I didnt.
ought to ought to
neednt I neednt have gone out last night. (= I went out but it wasnt necessary)
We use will/would/may etc. to say whether something is possible, impossible, probable, certain, etc. Compare:
will What time will she be here? Shell be here soon.
would She would be here now, but she has been delayed.
should or should
She be here soon. (= I expect she will be here soon)
ought to ought to
may or may
might or She might be here now. Im not sure. (= its possible that she is here)
could could
must She must be here. I saw her come in. (= Im sure - there is no other possibility)
can She cant possibly be here. I know for certain shes away on holiday.
Compare would have / should have...etc.:
will She will have arrived by now.
would She would have arrived earlier, but she was delayed.
should or should
I wonder where she is. She have arrived by now.
ought to ought to
may or may
might or She might have arrived. Im not sure. (= its possible that she has arrived)
could could
must She must have arrived by now. (Im sure - there is no other possibility)
cant She cant possible have arrived yet. Its much too early. (= its impossible)