Carlos V

Alejandro English Teacher

Modal verbs exercises
Rewrite each sentence so that it contains can, could, must, have to or should, including negative forms.

Underline the correct word or phrase in each sentence.

a) Look at those clouds. I think it can/might/must rain. b) This is impossible! It can’t be/mustn’t be/may not be the answer. c) Well done! You may be/must be/might be very pleased!d) I’ve no idea where Jane is. She could be/must be anywhere! e) I suppose it’s possible. I might/can/must come to your party. f) I’m not sure. I must not/may not be able to come to your party. g) That can’t be/mustn’t be/may not be David. He hasn’t got a bike. h) Lisa isn’t here yet. She can be/must be on her way. i) j) l) There’s someone at the door. It can be/could be the postman. Sorry, Ican’t come/may not come out tonight. I have to do my homework. Let’s send them an email. I think I can’t/might/mustn’t have the address.

k) I must/might/can buy a laptop soon – it depends. m) They aren’t out there, so they can/can’t/must be waiting outside. n) He can’t speak Portuguese. He can’t/mustn’t/may be Brazilian. o) If we can’t get tickets here, we can/must/couldn’t go to the other cinemainstead. p) She’s always got the latest equipment – she must/might/can have a lot of money.

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Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word given. Use between two and five words.

Do the modal verbs express ability or permission?

a) My sister was on the computer last night, so I couldn’t connect to theInternet. __________ b) You can borrow my laptop if you promise to be careful with it. __________ c) You can’t go online without a router. __________ d) I won’t be able to send you the pictures until next Saturday. __________ e) Were you able to fix that problem with your computer? __________ f) I’ll be able to borrow the car – my parents said it’s OK. __________

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Rewrite each sentence so that it does not contain the phrase underlined.

Rewrite each sentence using modal verbs.

a) Sarah is really good at swimming. Sarah _________________________________________ well. b) It’s possible that our team will win. Our team _________________________________________ win. c) I’m sure this isn’t the right road. This_________________________________________ the right road. d) I’m sure you work very hard! You _________________________________________ very hard. e) Caroline isn’t allowed to come to our party. Caroline _________________________________________ to our party. f) It’s possible that I’ll see you tomorrow, but I’m not sure. I _________________________________________, but I’m not sure. g) I’m afraid thatyour teacher is unable to come today. I’m afraid that _________________________________________ today. h) I’m sure it’s very hot here in summer. It _________________________________________ here in summer. i) j) Excuse me, is it all right if I open the window? I suppose you’re Mrs. Perry. How do you do? Excuse me, _________________________________________ the window? You_________________________________________ Mrs. Perry. How do you do?

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k) Do you know how to break the code? _________________________________________ break the code? l) Students are allowed to borrow these books. Students _________________________________________ borrow these books. m) I’ve tried to contact Joe, but without success. I_________________________________________ contact Joe yet. n) It wasn’t possible for me to copy your CD. I _________________________________________ copy your CD. o) It’ll be easy to burn CDs with this program. You _________________________ burn CDs easily with this program. p) It won’t be a problem to send an email later. I _________________________________________ send an email later. q) If I were...