The Grammaring Guide to English Grammar with Exercises

Answer key: modals

Answer key - Modals - Exercise 1

Can you tell me the way to the nearest ATM? (9) request

Can you swim? (1) ability

Can I help you? (6) offer

You must not use a dictionary during the exam. (8) prohibition

She must have been feeling lonely. (3) deduction

You must tell me the truth. (5) obligation

Shall we order something? (10) suggestion

You should've asked me first. (2) criticism

They might be taking a nap. (7) possibility

We needn't have hurried after all. (4) necessity

Answer key - Modals - Exercise 2

It wasn't a good idea for her to buy that car. (10) She shouldn't have bought that car.

It would be a good idea for her to buy that car. (9) She should buy that car.

I'm sure she bought that car. (6) She must have bought that car.

It's possible that she bought that car. (4) She may have bought that car.

It wasn't necessary for her to buy that car, but she did. (8) She needn't have bought that car.

It isn't necessary for her to buy that car. (7) She needn't buy that car.

Her plan is to buy that car. (3) She is going to buy that car.

She has enough money to buy that car. (1) She can buy that car.

She had enough money but she didn't buy that car. (2) She could have bought that car.

It's possible that she won't buy that car. (5) She might not buy that car.

Answer key - Modals - Exercise 3

You ... so much fast food! It's very unhealthy. (2) shouldn't eat

I'm not sure, but I think I ... in the garden when the postman came. (1) may have been weeding

... a bit louder? It's very noisy in here. (3) Would you talk

You ... in this part of the restaurant. There's a No Smoking sign! (1) mustn't smoke

Oliver left early last night and we ... in touch with him since. (3) haven't been able to get

... the wrong number? (1) Could I have dialled

Sorry, I'm late. I ... some shopping. (2) had to do

You ... me you were not coming. I was expecting you. Why didn't you call? (1) might have told

You ... lost! Next time take a map with you. (1) could have got

That was a long journey. You ... exhausted! (2) must be

Answer key - Modals - Exercise 4

Isabella can't have been living here for very long. She only speaks a few words of Hungarian.

Look at all the leftover sandwiches! We needn't have prepared so much food for the party.

Can you see that turn left sign? It means we have to turn left here.

It was a great time, and I couldn't have been happier.

You had better start packing if you want to catch the 3.30 plane. / You need to start packing if you want to catch the 3.30 plane.

I didn't use to read much when I was in secondary school, but now I do.

Will/Can/Could you hold this for me, please?

Pupils may not run in the corridor. / Pupils can't run in the corridor. It's a school rule.

We could go out more often, don't you think?

Can/Could/May I get you something to drink?

Answer key - Modals - Exercise 5

Can you play a musical instrument?

Could you swim when you were 6 years old?

Would you like to be able to speak five languages?

Did you have to wear a uniform when you were at school?

Do you think you should study harder?

Could you stay out late when you were a teenager?

Do you think you should be allowed to use your mobile during an exam?

Is there any food that you used to like but you don't like now?

What are you going to do after this lesson?

Do you think you will ever speak perfect English?