MODALS

Reference by Usage
Function MODAL(S)
can
ability
could
could
possibility may
might
must
logical conclusion
must not
may
permission can
could
had better
advisability ought to
should
have got to
Necessity, obligation have to
must
lack of necessity do not have to
prohibition must not
can
could
requesting assistance
will
would
showing preference would rather
 
c. Can
EXERCISES
1. ___ you speak any foreign languages? 9. ___ we stay or leave?
a. May a. Will
b. Can b. Would
c. Have c. Shall

2. Liz ___ get tired of her job. It is so boring. 10. Jane was so tired. She ___ have worked days and
a. has to nights.
b. must a. should
c. should b. must
c. would
3. Where's Nick? He ___ be in his office.
a. might 11. I ____ go to see the doctor last week because I
b. mustn't was very ill.
c. can (a)  must
(b)  must to
4. Take an umbrella. It ___ rain later. (c)  had to
a. has to
b. would rather 12. I ____ go now because I am already late for my
c. might class.
(a)  must
5. Jack ___ go to hospital yesterday. (b)  had
a. must (c)  have to
b. had to
c. could 13. I _____ be able to come to your party if I have the
time.
6. You look tired. You ___ go to bed. (a)  must
a. should (b)  may
b. ought (c)  had better
c. may

7. You ___ do it. I've already done it.

a. must not
b. can not
c. ought not 14. Do you ____ clean the house every day or every
week?
(a)  must
(b)  can
(c)  have to
8 ___ it be true?
a. Must
b. May
15. They ____ do their homework today because it is a (a) may
holiday at the school. (b) can
(a)  must not (c) must
(b)  couldn’t
(c)  don't have to 27. My doctor says I ____ lose some weight.
(a) can
16. I ____ help you with your shopping because you (b) must
have a lot of bags. (c) had better
(a)  could
(b)  ought to 28. ____ you smell something burning?
(c)  must (a) Can
(b) Must
17. When will you ____ come and see us in our new (c) Should
house?
(a)  can 29. They ____ be on holiday, but I'm not sure.
(b)  be able to (a) should
(c)  must (b) can
(c) may
18. I ____ have to go to Paris next week because there
is a very big exhibition there. 30. You ____ be right, but I'd still like to check.
(a)  may (a) can
(b)  might (b) could
(c)  could (c) should

31. ____ you turn it down a bit please?

19. That's ridiculous- you ____ be joking. (a) Can
(a) can (b) May
(b) must (c) Should
(c) should
32. It's OK- you ____ go when you've finished.
20. That's the phone- who ____ it be? (a) may
(a) can (b) should
(b) must (c) might
(c) does it have to
33. Ask any questions now as you ____ not talk during
21. They haven't eaten for hours- they ___ be starving. the test.
(a) can (a) may
(b) will (b) could
(c) must (c) will
22. I'm busy this morning, but I ____ see you this 34. You ____ smoke in the cinema.
afternoon if you like. (a) can't
(a) should (b) might not
(b) can (c) don’t have to
(c) must
35. From the way he speaks, he ____ be from London.
23. It ____ be the postman; it's far too early. (a) can
(a) can't (b) could
(b) doesn’t have to (c) must
(c) mustn't
36. It's impossible- they _____ have finished it already!
24. You ____ enter the country without a visa. (a) have to
(a) can (b) can't
(b) must (c) mustn't
(c) should
37. The weather ____ be better tomorrow.
25. They're two hours late- there ___ be something (a)can
wrong. (b) will
(a) can (c) may
(b) must
(c) will 38. ____ you speak Japanese?
(a) Must
26. She left two hours ago, so she ____ have arrived (b) Can
by now. (c) May