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Modal Verbs Exercises
Modal Verbs Exercises
These exercises are based on the Reading and Use of English paper where you may be tested on this grammar point.
Open close - write one word to complete the sentence.
Key word transformation - complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
Key word transformation
It’s a very good idea for you not to tell anyone about this.
BETTER
You _____________________ anyone about this.
had better not tell
Had better expresses strong advice, often a warning.
Key word transformation
Going to the cinema is an option if you like.
COULD
We _____________________ if you like.
could go to the cinema
Could expresses a polite suggestion.
Key word transformation
Please, could you help me move this table?
WOULD
_____________________ move this table?
Would you help me (to)
Would you…? makes a polite request.
Key word transformation
It isn’t necessary for you to wash the dishes.
HAVE
You _____________________ the dishes.
do not/don’t have to wash
Don’t have to expresses no obligation.
Key word transformation
They permitted me to leave early yesterday.
ALLOWED
I _____________________ early yesterday.
was allowed to leave
Be allowed to is used for permission in the past. Could is usually not used.
Key word transformation
If I were you, I wouldn’t borrow his camera without asking.
HAD
You _____________________ if you can borrow his camera.
had better ask him
Had better expresses strong advice, often a warning.
Key word transformation
After the operation, she will finally have the ability to walk.
ABLE
Finally she _____________________ after the operation.
will be able to walk
Will be able to expresses future ability.
Key word transformation
Despite the accident, he managed to escape.
ABLE
He _____________________ despite the accident.
was able to escape
Was able to is used for ability in a specific situation.
Key word transformation
Gary couldn’t remember where he had put his wallet.
WAS
Gary _____________________ where he had put his wallet.
was not/wasn’t able to remember//was unable to remember
Couldn't and wasn’t able to are interchangeable in past negative sentences.
Key word transformation
It was a mistake that you didn’t call me earlier.
SHOULD
You _____________________ earlier.
should have called me
Should have + past participle expresses criticism of a past action.
Key word transformation
I think it’s a good idea for you to have a chat with her.
OUGHT
You _____________________ with her.
ought to have a chat
Ought to expresses present/future advice.
Key word transformation
I suppose Bruce has gone to the dentist since he had a terrible toothache.
HAVE
Bruce _____________________ to the dentist since he had a terrible toothache.
must have gone
Must have + past participle expresses strong deduction about the past.
Key word transformation
I’m certain this isn’t the right address.
BE
This _____________________ right address.
cannot/can’t be the
Can’t + be expresses strong certainty that something is not true now.
Key word transformation
I’m sure Tom is not telling the truth about the accident.
MUST
Tom _____________________about the accident.
must be lying
Must + be expresses a strong deduction about the present.
Key word transformation
Perhaps they left the tickets at home.
MIGHT
They _____________________ the tickets at home.
might have left
Might have + past participle expresses possibility in the past.
Key word transformation
It’s possible that Sarah is working late today.
MIGHT
Sarah _____________________ late today.
might be working
Might + be + –ing expresses a present possibility.
Key word transformation
It was necessary for us to leave early yesterday.
HAD
We _____________________ early yesterday.
had to leave
Had to expresses past obligation; must cannot be used for the past.
Key word transformation
It’s really important that you finish this form today.
HAVE
You _____________________ this form today.
have to finish
Must (strong obligation) often changes to have to in paraphrases because must cannot be used in the past/future.