Usage Modal verb Example

Obligation must / have to / need to (present) They need to check in by seven.

had to / needed to (past)
Prohibition Mustn’t / can’t You can’t drive in Canada without a
valid driver’s license.
Lack of obligation don’t have to / don’t need to You don’t have to take your shoes off.
(present)
didn’t have to / need to (past)
Advice Should (not) / ought (not) to You should try online dating.
Strong advice Had better (not) You had better see the doctor.
You had better not lie to your teacher;
she will learn the truth no matter what!
Deduction – Must / can’t / couldn’t That must be the postman at the door.
Certainty Come inside and get warm. You must
be freezing out there!
These can’t/couldn’t be the pills; they
are the wrong color.
Deduction – Could / may / might (not) She's not here yet. She might be stuck
Possibility in traffic.
Modals

Exercise 1: Choose the correct modal verbs of deduction to complete the sentences
below.

1. The phone is ringing. It   be Charlotte; she said she would call this
morning.

2. She   be in love with him She told me she hates him.

3. He   be at the gym right now. Sometimes he goes there at this time.

4. This is not possible. You   be serious!

5. If he drives a jaguar, he   be quite rich.

6. You should pick up the phone. It   be an important call.

 7. He   know the answer, he's the best in the class.

8. You   be right, but it's better if we check.

9. He   be in class. I saw him at the library a minute ago.

10. A: Who's at the door?  B: I don't know; it   be John.

Exercise 2: Complete the dialogues with must, might, might not or can’t.

Dialogue 1
 A: Someone is knocking at the door.

B: It 1   be the pizza delivery man. I ordered a pizza.

A: I know you ordered a pizza. But it 2   be him, because you ordered the
pizza five minutes ago.

B: Yes, you are right. Then it 3   be your sister.

A: No, it 4   be my sister, she's out of town.

B: Well, then just open the door; it 5   be important.

 Dialogue 2
 A: Why don't you tell me what is the matter with you?

B: Well, I should tell you something and I think you 6   like it.

A: Come on! Tell me what it is. It 7   be that bad.

B: I don't know. I'm afraid you 8   react badly.

A: Then I'm sure it 9   be serious. Please, tell me.

B: I saw Lindsey holding hands with another man.
A: What?

B: Please, I know you 10   be upset right now, but...

A: Dude, Lindsey and I broke up more than a year ago. Didn't you know?  

Exercise 3: Choose the correct option to complete the sentences below.

1. When we were at school we   wear a uniform.

2. You   be an expert to use the basic functions of program.

 3. You   to tell her that you are sorry.

4. We   go to the meeting. Why didn't you go?

5. I   wear glasses, I still can see perfectly well.

6. We went to bed right after dinner because we   get up early the following
day.

7. We   go for a drink one day.

8. You   take any money. It wasn't necessary.

9. What are you doing? You   be here!

10. We   talk to each other because it was an exam.

Exercise 4: Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate modal verb
from the list below. Remember that ought to is more formal than should.

can could must mustn’t should shouldn’t

have to don’t have to ought to ought not to were able to

EXAMPLE: Are you any good at athletics? How fast can  you run?

1. The advice from the health committee is that all people with symptoms   go
to the doctor.

2. This is a non-smoking area, you   smoke here.

3. I hate big multinational companies. I think they   pay more taxes.

4. When she was 4 years old, she   read perfectly well.

5. I   get up early tomorrow; I want to go running very early.

6. You   eat so many sweets. They are bad for you.

7. We   wear a tie at work. I hate it!

8. The board agreed that employers   have access to an employee's medical file.

9. There was a lot of traffic, but fortunately we   arrive on time.

10. I'm not working tomorrow, so I   get up early.

Adapted by S.Ç.B. June 2021, from: https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/modal-verbs-of-deduction/
Adapted by S.Ç.B. June 2021, from: https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/have-to-must-should/

Answer Key 2. Don’t have to

3. ‘ve got
Exercise 1
4. Had to
1. Must 5. Don’t have to
2. Can’t 6. Had to
3. Might 7. Must
4. Can’t 8. Didn’t have to
5. Must 9. Must not
6. Might 10. Weren’t allowed to
7. Must
8. Might Exercise 4
9. Can’t 1. Ought to (should is also possible)
10. May 2. Mustn’t
3. Should (ought to is also possible)
Exercise 2 4. Could
1. Must 5. Must
2. Can’t 6. Shouldn’t (ought not to is also
3. Might possible)
4. Can’t 7. Have to
5. Might 8. Ought not to (shouldn’t is also
6. Might not possible)
7. Can’t 9. Were able to
8. Might 10. Don’t have to
9. Must
10. Must

Exercise 3
1. Had to