Modal Verbs

Choose the more natural-sounding option:

1. She looks pretty sick. I think she ________ go to a doctor.

   can
   should

2. You've been driving all day. You ________ be exhausted!

   must
   should

3. You ________ smoke so much. It's bad for your health.

   can't
   shouldn't

4. Hey I'm lost. ________ you help me?

   Should
   Can

5. You have such a beautiful voice. You ________ sing for us!
   should
   can

6. I know he speaks five languages, but ________ he speak Arabic?

   should
   can

7. That looks very expensive. It ________ have cost a fortune!

   must
   should

8. I ________ believe that you failed your test!

   can't
   shouldn't

9. I'm on my way. I ________ be there in about 10 minutes.

   can
   should

10. I ________ afford that.

   shouldn't
   can't
1. This ________ be dangerous if you don't have the right equipment.
   should
   can

2. You ________ yell at your parents. It's not nice.

   shouldn't
   can't

3. I ________ have seen that movie eight times.

   can
   must

4. I can't allow you to hang around here. = I ________ have you hanging around here.
   shouldn't
   can't

5. P1: Isn't that Charlie's umbrella? P2: Yes, he ________ have left it here yesterday.
   must
   should

6. ________ I borrow your pen for a minute?

   Should
   Can
 7. P1: ________ you speak Japanese? P2: No, I can't.
   Can
   Must

8. It's late. I ________ get going.

   should
   can

9. I saw that pen this morning. It ________ be around here somewhere.

   can
   must

10. I ________ understand what he's saying.

   shouldn't
   can't
1. Why ________ I care about your problems?
   can
   should

2. Tom and Rebecca give their daughter a lot of presents. They ________ really love her.
   can
   must

3. We ________ go out to that new Italian restaurant tonight.

   should
   must

4. Everyone who crosses the border ________ show his/her passport.

   must
   should

5. P1: When is Tom coming? P2: He's on his way. He ________ be here any minute.
   must
    should

6. P1: ________ my friend sleep over? P2: Yes, but he'll have to get permission from his
parents.
   Can
   Should

7. ________ you always be so mean to everyone?

   Can
   Must

8. ________ you please try to be nicer to your brother?

   Must
   Can

9. I ________ get here earlier because of the traffic on the freeway.

   shouldn't
   couldn't

10. P1: Which language ________ I learn - French or Italian? P2: I think you ________
learn French.
   should
   must
Complete each sentence with the most natural-sounding modal auxiliary verb, from the
selections given: Example: It might (should, can, might) snow later on.

1. You   (should, can, might) really listen to your parents.

2. Is it true that you   (should, can, might) speak Chinese?

3. There   (should, can, might) be a problem with my new car.

4. I'm not sure, but the children   (should, can, might) be hiding in the closet.

5. I'm sure I   (should, could, might) climb this mountain in three hours.

6. P1: Do you think I   (should, could, might) call his parents? P2: I don't think that's
necessary.

7.  (Should, Could, Might) you please shut the door?

8. Generally speaking, you   (should, could, might) always tell the truth.

9. There are cases, however, when you   (should, could, might) tell the truth, but you
shouldn't.

10. It looks like it   (should, could, might) rain.

Complete each sentence with the most natural-sounding modal auxiliary verb, from the
selections given: Example: It might (should, can, might) snow later on.

1. Don't drink and drive, or you   (should, can, might) have an accident.

2. Yes, I   (should, can, might) see your house from here.

3.   (Should, Could, Might) you please repeat that?

4. We   (should, can, might) leave now if we want to make it on time.

5. You   (should, could, might) call your mom. She's worried about you.

6. You   (should, could, might) walk there, but you should probably drive instead.

7. P1: Are you going to the party? P2: I'm not sure yet. I  (should, could, might) see
you there.

8.   (Should, Can, Might) they hear us?

9. You still smoke? I really think you   (should, could, might) quit.

10. Bring a warm jacket; it   (should, can, might) get cold later on.

Click on Answer to see the correct response.

1. I'm sorry I _____ come yesterday.

a. could not
b. might not

2. I'm sorry, but I _____ be able to come today.

a. could not
b. might not

3. I'm sure that _____ have been him.

a. could not
b. might not

4. I'm not sure, but that _____ have been him.

a. could not
b. might not
 5. Let's check the news. The airport _____ be open.
a. could not
b. might not

6. I _____ tell him the truth about Holly, but I should have.
a. could not
b. might not

7. Jeanette had made other plans, so she _____ come with us to the museum yesterday.
a. could not
b. might not

8. Jeanette has made other plans, so she _____ come with us to the museum today.
a. could not
b. might not

9. He _____ have possibly won that contest! He was so stupid!

a. could not
b. might not

10. She _____ have told him. That's why he didn't mention anything to me.
a. could not
b. might not

hould there be a "to" in front of the verb?

EX: "I want to play" or "You must play"
REMEMBER: The modal auxiliary verbs are: will/shall, can/could, may/might, must, ought
to, would, should.

1. I want ________ you tomorrow.

   to see
   see

2. I can't ________ you tomorrow.

   to see

   see

3. You must ________ hard.

   study

   to study

4. Heather tried ________, but she was too tired.

   study

   to study

5. I can't ________ you.

   hear

   to hear

6. He wants ________ what she is saying.

   hear

   to hear

7. I want ________ a doctor.

   be

   to be

8. I must ________ sick. I have a fever.

   to be
   be

9. I couldn't ________ to the movies with Fiona.

   go

   to go

10. Alex does not know how ________.

   drive

   to drive

Should there be a "to" in front of the verb?

EX: "I want to play" or "You must play"
REMEMBER: The modal auxiliary verbs are: will/shall, can/could, may/might, must, ought to,
would, should.

1. I might ________ to Australia next year.

   go

   to go

2. She prefers ________ the blue dress.

   wear

   to wear

3. I can't ________ French.

   to speak

   speak

4. You shouldn't ________ about him so much.

   worry
   to worry

5. My brother loves ________ in the shower.

   to sing

   sing

6. I will ________ a song for you.

   to sing

   sing

7. My brother doesn't like ________ hard.

   to work

   work

8. You asked me ________ you a puppy.

   buy

   to buy

9. You must always ________ your hands before you eat.

   to wash

   wash

10. I could not ________ my key this morning.

   find

   to find