MODAL VERBS EXERCISES

1 Complete each sentence with a suitable modal, affirmative or negative. There may be more than one possible answer.
1. No pushing, please. You ………………… wait your turn in the queue.
2. You ………………… book in advance. It’s a very popular restaurant.
3. You ………………… hire a driver. We will take you around the city.
4. ………………… you see the Eiffel Tower from your window?
5. It ………………… rain later, so take an umbrella.
6. We ………………… be late. Our host will be insulted.
7. We ………………… go sightseeing yesterday because the weather was very bad.

2 Complete the sentences with the modal perfects below and the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
would have • should have • must have • may have • could have • shouldn’t have • couldn’t have
1. Thanks for your help. We ……………………………… (do) it without you.
2. You ……………………………… (take) a guided tour. You didn’t see many of the landmarks in the city.
3. We ……………………………… (hire) a guide, but our friends insisted on showing us around the city.
4. He ……………………………… (forget) to meet us. He’s not very reliable.
5. I’m not certain, but we ……………………………… (meet) before.
6. It’s too bad you didn’t tell me she was in hospital. I ……………………………… (send) her some flowers.
7. The necklace is beautiful, but you ……………………………… (buy) me such an expensive gift.

3 Complete each sentence with a logical continuation. Pay attention to the modals and modal perfects in bold.
1. We might cancel our trip to Paris because
.
2. The plane must have landed because
.
3. We should have taken warmer clothing because
.
4. We ought to wear comfortable shoes because
.
5. I can’t meet you tonight because
.
6. I couldn’t meet you because
.
7. We could have driven, but
.
8. We would have checked in earlier, but
.
9. That can’t be Tom because
.
4 Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets. Do not change the original meaning.
1. There’s a possibility that we’re going to check out a day earlier. (might)

2. Smoking in the hotel is forbidden. (mustn’t)

3. They had tickets to the concert, but decided not to go. (could have)

4. Does she know how to drive? (can)

 5. It’s impossible that his story is true. (can’t)

6. I’m certain that’s my luggage. (must)

7. I suggest you book in advance. (should)

8. It wasn’t polite that you didn’t thank them for their hospitality. (should have)

5 Write a suitable continuation for each sentence with the modals below.
don’t have to • should • might • can’t • must • mustn’t • couldn’t
1.It’s not a good idea to leave your luggage here. Someone
.
2.Relax. We’ll arrive on time. You
.
3.Sorry I didn’t join you yesterday. I
.
4.It’s a secret. You
.
5.This restaurant is very popular. We
.
6.Speak louder. I
.
7.His parents haven’t seen him in weeks. They
.
6 Complete the sentences with a suitable modal or modal perfect, affirmative or negative and the correct
form of the verbs in brackets. There may be more than one possible answer.
1.We ……………………………… (hire) a guide, but we decided that we would go sightseeing on our own.
2.You ……………………………… (wander off). We were very worried about you.
3.We ……………………………… (stay) in a youth hostel next time. It’s a lot cheaper than a hotel.
4.I’m sure it wasn’t intentional. It ……………………………… (be) a mistake.
5.……………………………… we ……………………………… (book) a room with a view, please?
6.The room was very crowded, so he ……………………………… (see) us there.
7. It’s a fixed price, so you ……………………………… (ask) for a discount.

7 Complete the sentences using the correct form of the words in brackets. Do not change the original meaning.
1.It wasn’t necessary to bring me a gift. (need)
You .
2.Perhaps that was Joe who just walked by. (might)
That .
3.I’m not sure we made reservations. (might)
We .
4.There’s a possibility that we won’t arrive on time. (may)
We .
5.Participation is mandatory. (have to)
Everyone .
6.We had the option of staying at more expensive accommodation. (could)
We .
7.There’s no need to stand in the queue. (have to)
You .
8.I suggest staying in a hotel near the city centre. (should)
You .
9.I regret travelling alone. (should)
.
10. It’s not my luggage because mine is brown.
(can)
That .
8 Complete the sentences with a logical continuation. Use a suitable modal or modal perfect and verb.
1.He didn’t answer me. He
.
2.Stress isn’t good for your health. You
.
3.This story doesn’t make any sense. It
.
4.His phone and keys are on his desk. He
A) Complete the sentences with CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO. (Attention to the tenses)
1. I'm sorry, but we ____________ go to your party next Saturday.
2. She got the job because she ____________ speak five languages.
3. You are speaking very quietly. I ____________ hear you.
4. I was tired but I ____________ leave until the meeting finished.
5. He ____________ go to the concert next Saturday. He is working.
6. She ____________ understand me in spite of the noise around.
7. I'll ____________ see you tomorrow.
8. When they came back from Paris, they ____________ speak perfect French.
9. After a few hours, I ____________ open the door and go out.
10. I've never ____________ understand maths.
11. He ____________ repair the car but it took him a long time.
12. We ____________ contact our agent in Athens a few minutes ago.
13. After the accident, he somehow ____________ walk home.

B) Write in English.
1. ¿Puedo hablar con usted un momento?
2. Ayer no pude poner en marcha el coche.
3. Cuando tenía seis años, sabía patinar muy bien.
4. Consiguió escapar del incendio en el último minuto.
5. Saber hablar inglés es fundamental en estos tiempos.

C) Rewrite these sentences using MAY, MIGHT or BE ALLOWED TO. (Affirmative or

negative)
1. Perhaps it will rain tomorrow (it has been raining all week)
2. Perhaps my friend will visit me tomorrow (he is in town)
3. Maybe he will find a new job (he isn't looking for it)
4. I think the car is at the car park.
5. I think the car is at the car park, but I'm not very sure.
6. Visitors cannot stay in the hospital after 8 o'clock.
7. Will you let the children go to the theatre tomorrow?
8. Perhaps he'll go to the university (he is a very bad student)
9. Perhaps he'll go to the university (he is an average student)
D) Write in English.
1. Quizá visitemos a Rosa el viernes.
2. Vendré a la fiesta, pero es posible que llegue tarde.
3. Puede que se haga rico, pero no lo creo.
4. Podré quedarme hasta tarde.

E) Complete these sentences with MUST, MUSTN'T, NEEDN'T or HAVE TO.

1. Why are you still waiting? You ____________ wait any more.
2. Some years ago in Spain, men ____________ do military service.
3. Sarah is a nurse, sometimes she ____________ work at weekends.
4. Why does she want to decide now? She ____________ answer until tomorrow.
5. I didn't have any money with me, so I ____________ borrow some.
6. I eat too much chocolate, I really ____________ stop.
7. They've been very rude, they ____________ apologise tomorrow.
8. You ____________ borrow my books without asking.
9. I'm sorry, you ____________ smoke here.
10. You ____________ take that money, it isn't yours.
11. He ____________ be inside that room, I've seen him come in!
F) Write in English.
1. Antonio no tiene que levantarse a las seis de la mañana.
2. Tengo que ir al médico esta tarde.
3. ¿Tendrás que trabajar el sábado por la tarde?
4. Patricia no tuvo que esperar mucho el autobús.
5. El dinero tiene que estar aquí.
6. No hace falta que trabajes tanto.
7. Tienes que visitar el museo de la ciudad, es muy interesante.
8. Es tarde, creo que debería irme a casa.
9. Nunca he podido entender los verbos modales en inglés.
10. Mañana no tendré que levantarme pronto.
11. No hace falta que la canguro venga mañana, yo me quedaré en casa a cuidar de los niños.

G) Fill in the gaps with a modal verb.

1. You ____________ fall asleep when you are driving.
2. You ____________ feed the cat, it isn't hungry.
3. ____________ you help me move the furniture?
4. A fish ___________ swim, but it ____________ fly.
5. The children ____________ leave school early tomorrow.
6. You ____________ wait any longer, you ____________ go now.
7. The fire spread quickly but everyone ____________ escape.
8. You ____________ drive so fast, we're not late.
9. ____________ we go climbing? - No, let's go swimming.
10. You can only smoke in the canteen, you ____________ smoke in this room.
11. You ____________ leave medicines in places where children can get hold of them.
12. My grandfather was very clever, he ____________ speak four languages.
13. I'm hungry. - Don't worry, I ____________ make a sandwich for you.
14. You ____________ shout, I can hear you.
15. She's got temperature, she ____________ go out today, she ____________ stay in bed.
16. The boy fell into the river but we ______________ rescue him.
17. Yes, you ______________ learn the verbs before the exam.
18. ____________ I borrow your bicycle tomorrow?
19. Dad, you ____________ smoke so much, it's bad for you.
20. Sir, ____________ I make a suggestion?
21. We are'n't sure about tomorrow, but we ____________ go to the beach.
22. I arrived home at eleven p.m. because I ____________ work late.
23. She hates ____________ get up early.
24. Mary keeps crying, she ____________ have a problem.
25. I think you ____________ take the train, it's faster than the bus.
26. ____________ I ask you for the next dance?
27. Don't wait up for me. I ____________ stay in town tonight.
28. The milkman ____________ put water in the milk.
29. If you go to town, you'll ____________ do some shopping.
30. You ____________ bring an umbrella, it isn't going to rain.
31. Do you think you ____________ tell your teacher what happened?
H) Translate the following sentences into English.
1. Después de intentarlo mucho, pudimos abrir la caja.
2. Nos permitieron ver a mi primo, que estaba en la cárcel.
3. Si podemos encontrar la llave, podremos abrir la puerta.
4. ¿Puedo salir antes de que toque el timbre, por favor?
5. Ann ha encontrado una asistenta. Ya no tiene que hacer el trabajo de casa.
6. No hace falta que traigais los libros mañana.
7. Puede que no venga a trabajar mañana, está muy resfriado.
8. No tengo dinero, ¿puedes prestarme algo?
9. No debes decirle esto a nadie, es un secreto.
10. Podría ser algo mayor que nosotros, pero no es posible que tenga 40 años.

I) Rewrite these sentences using the modals or semi-modals in brackets.

1. It is against the law to drive without a licence. (mustn’t)
2. Perhaps Sarah lends Simon some money. (may)
3. It is sometimes very hot here in the summer. (can)
4. Would you like me to bring you some magazines? (shall)
5. It isn't necessary to be over 18 to get married. (needn’t)
6. It is important for me to pass the exam. (must)
7. It will not be necessary for you to come tomorrow. (have to)
8. Perhaps it will rain tonight. (may)
9. It is against the law to drive without a seat belt. (mustn’t)
10. There's a small possibility that he comes on a motorbike. (might)

J) Rewrite these sentences so that they have the same meaning.

1. You may not smoke in this classroom. You ................
2. Perhaps he comes to the party. He .................
3. You can come but it isn't necessary. You ..........
4. He wasn't able to lift the piano. He ......................
5. She isn't allowed to enter the room. She .................
6. Do you know how to drive a lorry? ......................
7. I don't believe you are a policeman. You ..................
8. He ought to study more. He ..........
9. I'm almost sure he is French. He ....................
10. I suggest you get a second opinion. You ...........................
K) Rewrite these sentences so that they have the same meaning. They can be PRESENT or
PAST
1. I'm sure they went away yesterday. They ....
2. It isn't necessary for you to go. You ....
3. Perhaps Frank will win the pools. Frank ....
4. I don't believe he took the money. He ....
5. It was wrong of him to break it. He ...
6. It's forbidden to drive on the right in Great Britain. You ....
7. Is it alright if I use your phone?
8. Perhaps George won't have time. George ....
9. Perhaps he didn't have time. He ....
10. I suppose they enjoyed the concert. They ....
11. You are not obliged to come back again. You ..............
12. She mustn’t enter. She isn’t ................
13. I was wrong to say you were guilty. I .................
14. You are not allowed to smoke in this classroom. You ..........