Mihai ION Basic English Morphology: Modals (Practice)

1. Choose the most suitable underlined form.

1. He asked us if he may/is able to make a suggestion.

2. You can/must read this book, its really excellent.
3. She mustn't/couldn't have overslept. Three alarm clocks had been set the night before to
wake her up.
4. The fireman was able to/could introduce his hand through the narrow opening and open the
door; otherwise the child couldn't have been/weren't able to come out.
5. In this season you mustn't/don't need to water the flowers every day; it's raining quite often.
6. She was very obstinate. She would/should never do what her parents told her.
7. I must/dare not ask her to wait anymore. She's been here for two hours.
8. You wouldn't/shouldn't open that letter. It's for father.
9. You may/can be older than her but you look twice as good.
10. This needn't/can't be the building grandpa described; he said it was big, this one is hardly
bigger than a house.
11. I did my best but the car can't/won't start.
12. I could help/could have helped you if only you had asked me to.
13. They had to find/must have found a place where to raise the tents, otherwise they didn't
have to/couldn't stop for the night.
14. There used to/would be a supermarket at this corner.
15. You have to/can leave your car here; no cars might/are allowed to go further up the road.
16. I might/should go now; it's getting late.

2. Change the words in italics in the sentences below to include a modal verb.

1. It's very important that we speak to the neighbours before pulling down that common
wall.
2. Are you able to keep a secret?
3. It was essential for us to get up early because during the day it was going to be too hot to
travel.
4. It's possible that he'll try again.
5. I'm sure he is at home by now; he left a long time ago.
6. Do you want me to give you a hand?
7. Every day they did the same thing: they woke up early and went fishing.
8. Is it possible for me to borrow several books at the same time?
9. Listen to my advice: don't leave your job before the other one is available.
10. Please open the window; it's awfully hot in here.
11. When she was a child she wore her hair in a funny ponytail on the top of her head.
12. It was a good thing they reached the shore last night; the storm broke out so suddenly.
13. No, really, I want to give you this book.
14. It's possible that she comes this evening but I'm not sure.

3. Change the words in italics in the sentences below to include a modal verb.

1. It would have been very important that we spoke to the neighbours before pulling down
that common wall.
2. I guess it was a bad idea to give all your books away, after all.
3. It's possible that you lost your ticket while buying popcorn.
4. His parents were rich so Kevin was probably a spoilt child.
5. Their intentions were good. It's a pity you didn't listen to them.
6. I've prepared so much food but nobody seems to be hungry.
7. Probably it took you a long time to make that lace.
8. He had eaten two turkey sandwiches; it was impossible for him to be still hungry.
9. I suppose it's possible she misunderstood the message.
10. I told you to work more! Everybody is angry now that you've failed the exam.
11. He certainly has given you a good reason for refusing to see him.
12. Mary had no classes this morning so it wouldn't have been necessary for her to get up

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 Mihai ION Basic English Morphology: Modals (Practice)

early.
13. In the event of their refusal, we would have rethought our strategy.
14. I understand they told you about the differences in the amounts of money approved.

4. Complete the sentences below with appropriate modal verbs and the correct form of the
verbs in parentheses.

1. It's so typical of her: she __ (buy) two dresses because she __ (not make up) her mind as to
which one she likes best.
2. The driver was very tired. This __ (cause) the accident.
3. They __ (go) skiing together every December but they don't do it anymore.
4. I know that if you apply for the Job you __ (get) it.
5. It was too dark and I had a hat and sunglasses; she __ (not recognize) me.
6. You really __ (contact) them. They had been in the city for a month.
7. You __ (not eat) during the classes. It's against the regulations.
8. I __ (wear) a uniform every day if I come to this school?
9. You __ (not go) in there. It's for the institution's staff only.
10. You __ (make) all that fuss? Everybody else has accepted the situation.
11. He __ (work) on his thesis. Usually he's in his room at this hour.
12. I __ as well (give up) now. I know I won't make it.
13. You __ (not waste) your time here. There are still so many things to finish in the library.
14. I hate __ (do) everything the principal tells me to.

5. Complete the sentences below with appropriate modal verbs and the correct form of the
verbs in parentheses.

1. He __ (meet) me in the park every afternoon then walk home alone.

2. Do you think they __ (work) in the garden at this time?
3. Well, if you don't fancy going to the theatre we __ (go) to the cinema.
4. I __ (finish) today. The editor has been asking for this review for a week now.
5. Try as I __, I'll never find my gold earring.
6. It's overcast and too windy. The beach __ (be) deserted.
7. Don't even think of it! I __ (not give) you my car!
8. Well, she __ (agree), but I don't. I'm sorry. I __ (not do) that.
9. I was so afraid they __ (get killed) in the crash.
10. You mean you lost it? But it's priceless! What do you mean I __ (warn) you? I think you __
(know) by yourself.
11. So, you're home early: you __ (not work) late, after all.
12. I'm so sorry. You __ (not work) late. John was supposed to finish the Job tomorrow morning.
13. "This will be your room for the next year, Tommy." "Thank you, Auntie, I __ (smoke) in
here?" "Yes, you can, Tommy but you __ not."
14. "You __ (go) so soon?" "I must not but unfortunately I __."

6. Translate the words in parentheses in the sentences below.

1. He (ar fi putut pleca) had he wanted to.

2. They (e posibil s fi uitat); there's no other reasonable explanation.
3. He (probabil c se uita) from behind the blinds and realized what was going on.
4. You (nu e nevoie s rezervi) a table; it's not full season.
5. She (e imposibil s te fi refuzat); you're the best match in town.
6. Father (ar fi posibil s ntrzie); he told us he depended on his colleague.
7. Uncle Bill (trebuie s fi neles) soon that Tom will never join the soccer team.
8. Joseph (nu se putea s fi fcut) such a mistake after all the years he spent studying.
9. This necklace (probabil c a aparinut) to her grandmother.
10. We (se poate s fim invitai) to their 30th wedding anniversary. They dropped a hint the
last time we met.

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 Mihai ION Basic English Morphology: Modals (Practice)

11. You (ar fi fost obligaia ta moral s ntrebi) them, too.

12. Mrs. Jagger's daughter (e posibil s prseasc) this county forever.
13. You (nu ar fi trebuit s mergi) to the party with such a bad headache.
14. (E nevoie s-i spun) that the most difficult part is still ahead of us?
15. They (nu ar fi fost necesar s accepte) all the terms.
16. You (probabil c eti) very satisfied with your achievements.

7. Choose the best continuation for each sentence below.

1. Would it be a good idea to keep climbing in this bad weather?

a) I don't know, we should try.

b) I don't know, we might try.

2. He left without saying good-bye.

a) He had to be in a hurry.
b) He must have been in a hurry.

3. Luckily, I remembered the combination.

a) Well, I could have told you that.

b) Well, I should have told you that.

4. We rang his bell every afternoon last summer but he was never to be found at home.

a) He used to go to the local pub in the afternoons.

b) He had to go to the local pub in the afternoons.

5. Not much work left for tomorrow!

a) At least I mustn't come to help.

b) At least I don't have to come to help.

6. Are you happy here away from all your friends?

a) You don't have to ask that. You know why I'm here.
b) You shouldn't be asking that. You know why I'm here.

7. They are very angry with you at the moment!

a) Why did I have to tell them the truth, I wonder?

b) Why should I tell them the truth, I wonder?

8. Such a collision and not a scratch!

a) Yes, I know. I should have died.

b) Yes, I know. I could have died.

9. You're a liar, a cheater and an awful person!

a) How can you tell me that?

b) How dare you tell me that!

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 Mihai ION Basic English Morphology: Modals (Practice)

10. You mixed up the dates.

a) Sorry, I should have checked in my agenda.

b) Sorry, I had to check in my agenda.

11. How come there are so many awards here?

a) I could be the best swimmer while in college.

b) I used to be the best swimmer while in college.

12. I hate to go there and you know that.

a) OK, this time you needn't go if you hate it so much.

b) OK, this time you mustn't go if you hate it so much.

13. They were supposed to leave this morning. What happened?

a) The car won't start.

b) The car wouldn't start.

14. The rucksacks were awfully heavy and when we got there we found a fast-food
restaurant.

a) I know, mother didn't need to prepare so much food.

b) I know, mother needn't have prepared so much food.