MODAL VERBS- speculation exercises

Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence.

Can’t be Ought to have left Can be

Must have been Must have left Should have won
Couldn’t have been Could turn out Should be
Must be Can’t have won May have been

1 Tennis ____________ a very tiring game sometimes, especially if it’s a long match.

2 He _____________ the trophy again- I don’t believe it! That’s six wins in a row

(=one after another)!

3 It ____________ the best day of his life when he became a champion of the world.

4 You ________________ the proudest parent in the world because your daughter

just won an Olympic medal.

5 It _____________ Malcolm you saw in the supermarket because he’s away on

holiday this week.

6 You ______________ right when you said it would rain today. It’s looking cloudy.

7 You’re going to be late. You _____________ hours ago.

8 That ______________ Dave at the door. I’m sure he said he was coming at four

o’clock, and it’s only three now.

9 It _____________ to be a good day for a nice walk in the hills if the weather stays

like this.

10 I can’t find my running shoes anywhere. I _______________ them at school.

11 They were the best team and they _______________ easily. Why didn’t they?

12 He _____________ here by now- the game is just about to start!

 MODAL VERBS- speculation exercises KEY

Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence.

Can’t be Ought to have left Can be

Must have been Must have left Should have won
Couldn’t have been Could turn out Should be
Must be Can’t have won May have been
1 Tennis CAN BE a very tiring game sometimes, especially if it’s a long match.

2 He CAN’T HAVE WON the trophy again- I don’t believe it! That’s six wins in a

row (=one after another)!

3 It MUST HAVE BEEN the best day of his life when he became a champion of the

world.

4 You MUST BE the proudest parent in the world because your daughter just won

an Olympic medal.

5 It COULDN’T HAVE BEEN Malcolm you saw in the supermarket because he’s

away on holiday this week.

6 You MAY HAVE BEEN right when you said it would rain today. It’s looking

cloudy.

7 You’re going to be late. You OUGHT TO HAVE LEFT hours ago.

8 That CAN’T BE Dave at the door. I’m sure he said he was coming at four o’clock,

and it’s only three now.

9 It COULD TURN OUT to be a good day for a nice walk in the hills if the weather

stays like this.

10 I can’t find my running shoes anywhere. I MUST HAVE LEFT them at school.

11 They were the best team and they SHOULD HAVE WON easily. Why didn’t

they?

12 He SHOULD BE here by now- the game is just about to start!