A) Fill in each gap using must, cant, could, may, might.

Example
Someone is knocking on the door. Im sure its my brother he promised to come today.
Someone is knocking on the door. It must be my brother he promised to come today.
1) I'm sure he is here - I can see his car in front of the building.
He be here. I can see his car in front of the building.
2) They're coming this week but I don't know which day.
They be coming tomorrow.
3) I'm not sure I'm going to pass the exam. I don't feel very confident.
I pass the exam. I don't feel very confident.
4) I've bought a lottery ticket. There's a chance I'll become a millionaire!
I . become a millionaire!
5) I'm sure she doesn't speak French very well - she's only lived in Paris for a few
weeks.
She . speak French very well. She's only lived in Paris for a few weeks.
6) My key's not in my pocket or on my desk so I'm sure it's in the drawer.
My key's not in my pocket or on my desk so it be in the drawer.
7) Someone told me that Mark was in Mexico but I saw him yesterday so I'm sure he's
not abroad.
Mark be abroad.
8) You got the job? That's great. I'm sure you're delighted.
You got the job? That's great. You be delighted.
9) They told me to prepare the project by tomorrow but it's alomost impossible to have it
done so fast.
I . finish it by tomorrow if I stay at work all night, but I'm not sure

10) I asked them to send the goods as soon as possible; we receive them by the end
of the week if the post is fast.
B) Fill in each gap using could have, should have, would have.
1. I ___________________________________ (buy) bread but I didnt know we needed
it.
(past possibility)
2. We ___________________________________ (invite) so many people to our party!
Im
worried that we wont have enough room for everyone. (past negative advice / regret)
3. I ___________________________________ (start) saving money years ago! (past
advice / regret)
4. We ___________________________________ (join) you at the restaurant, but we
couldnt get a babysitter. (past willingness)
5. The weather ___________________________________ (be) any worse! (past
negative
possibility)
6. I ___________________________________ (arrive) on time, even if Id left earlier.
There were dreadful traffic jams all the way. (past negative possibility)
7. They ___________________________________ (win) the football match, but John
hurt
his ankle. (past possibility)
8. Amanda ___________________________________ (finish) the work, but she felt ill
and
had to go home. (past willingness)
9. Lucy ___________________________________ (left) earlier. She missed her flight.
(past advice / regret)
10. We ___________________________________ (finish) the game, even if wed
wanted

to. It was raining very hard and we had to stop. (past negative possibility)
11. I ___________________________________ (eat) so much chocolate! I feel sick!
(past
negative advice / regret)
12. Luke ___________________________________ (pass) the exam if hed studied a
bit
more. (past possibility)
2 Could have should have would have exercise 1 2015 www.perfect-englishgrammar.com. May be freely copied for personal or
classroom use.
13. John ___________________________________ (call) Amy, but he didnt have her
number. (past willingness)
14. You ___________________________________ (be) rude to him. Hes going to be
really
angry now. (past negative advice / regret)
15. She ___________________________________ (come) to the restaurant if shed left
work earlier. (past possibility)
16. You ___________________________________ (take) this job. I can see youre not
enjoying it. (past negative advice / regret)
17. The race was really difficult. She ___________________________________ (win)
because shes not fit enough. (past negative possibility)
18. Our neighbours ___________________________________ (cut) down the tree in
their
garden. It was a really beautiful tree. (past negative advice / regret)
19. The children ___________________________________ (do) their homework last
night.
Then they wouldnt be panicking on the way to school. (past advice / regret)

20. Im really cold! I ___________________________________ (bring) my coat. (past

advice / regret)
21. I ___________________________________ (come) to see you! I didnt know you
were
ill. (past willingness)
22. Andrew ___________________________________ (go) to Cambridge University,
but he
decided to travel instead. (past possibility)
23. They ___________________________________ (be) kinder to me. They were
absolutely
lovely. (past negative possibility)
24. You ___________________________________ (buy) some milk at the shops. We
dont
have any milk. (past advice / regret)
25. They ___________________________________ (come) to have breakfast with us,
but
they went to bed too late the night before. (past willingness)
C) For each of the sentences below, write a new sentence as similar in meaning as
possible to the original sentence, but using the word given. The word must not be
altered in any way.
1) It was stupid of the government to try to break the strike. (use should)
The government
_____________________________________________________________.
2) I warn you not to chat up my girlfriend again! (use had)
You _____________________________________________________________.
3) We didnt book the table but it didnt matter as there was hardly anyone at the restaurant.
(use need)
We ____________________________________________________________.
4) My hair is much too long. Ill have to get it cut soon. (use cutting)

My hair ____________________________________________________________.
5) There can be no doubt that the solicitor has received the information by now. (use must)
The solicitor ____________________________________________________________.
6) It probably wont be difficult to get tickets for the first night (use should)
It ____________________________________________________________.
7) I am certain he isnt responsible for the error, he looks too experienced.
He ______________________________________________________.
8) Perhaps Jim took it; he was in the office all day yesterday.
Jim _____________________________________________________.
9) Who do you think is making all that noise next door?
Who ____________________________________________________
10) Perhaps there are other intelligent life forms in the universe.
There ____________________________________________________
11) Dont worry, theyll probably be on the next train.
They ____________________________________________________.
12) Its possible that they dont live here any longer.
They ____________________________________________________.
13) It could be that they are not married.
They ____________________________________________________.
14) It was possible for them to choose anyone for the job, but they chose me.
They ____________________________________________________.
15) Perhaps Tony will like that picture, try giving it to him.
Tony ____________________________________________________.
16) Perhaps she left her briefcase here on purpose.
She ______________________________________________________.