Modal Verbs Exercises

Modal verbs are used to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible (or not). We also use modals to do things like talking about ability, asking permission making requests and offers and so on. The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, shall, should, will and would.

Modal Exercises with Answers

Q. Fill in the blanks using modals:

1. You _____________ be rich to be a success. Some of the most successful people I know haven’t got a penny to their name.
2. I’ve redone this math problem at least twenty time, but my answer is not according to the answer key. The answer of the book _____________ be wrong.
3. You _____________ do the job if you speak Japanese fluently.
4. You _____________ worry so much. I don’t do you any good. Either you get the job, or you don’t. If you don’t, just apply for another one. Eventually you will find work.

Answer

1. ought not to
2. must
3. can
4. should not

Q. Fill in the blanks with the right word out of those two given against the sentences below:

1. I _____________ prefer to keep quite. (would/should)
2. The school _____________ remain closed tomorrow for Diwali. (shall/will)
3. I am sure we _____________ cross the river easily. (shall/will)
4. I _____________ help you only if you deserve it. (will/shall)
5. No one knew whether he _____________ come or not. (would/should)
6. _____________ you please stop talking? (shall/will)
7. Work hard lest you _____________ fail. (should/would)
8. I _____________ learn Sanskrit and none shall stop me. (shall/will)
9. I _____________ like you to do as I tell you. (should/would)
10. _____________ you see him in the fair, send him to me. (would/should)

Answer

1. would
2. shall
3. shall
4. will
5. would
6. will
7. should
8. will
9. would
10. should

Q. Fill in the blanks using ‘shall’, ‘will’, ‘should’, ‘would’.

1. _____________ you like to have a cup of tea?
2. The nurse told me that the doctor _____________ come back soon.
3. We _____________ fight to the last.
4. You _____________ not touch my things again.
5. You _____________ stick to your words.
6. _____________ you please lend me your bicycle?
7. Ask for a reward and you _____________ have it.
8. _____________ that I were rich?
9. You _____________ not go in for the old car.
10. I _____________ report against you if you do not mend your ways.

Answer

1. would
2. would
3. will
4. shall
5. should
6. Would
7. shall
8. Would
9. should
10. will

Q. Fill in the blanks using ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’ or ‘might’:

1. I _____________ run very fast when I was young.
2. _____________ I come in, Madam?
3. We _____________ have a stormy night.
4. He told me that I _____________ go home then.
5. _____________ you live long, my son!
6. He _____________ speak English fluently.
7. I would help him if I _____________.
8. She has not promised, but she _____________ come.
9. ……… you wait for me for a while?
10. He ……. invite you to his birthday party.
11. I thought that she _____________ be easily taken in.
12. He _____________ have reached home by now.
13. _____________ God bless you with a son!
14. Accidents _____________ happen at any time on this busy road.
15. I _____________ implore you to accede to my request.
16. We _____________ go for shopping next week. We shall need a lot of things for the holidays.
17. He _____________ be rich, but he is very cruel.
18. I _____________ not come yesterday since, I was too busy.
19. We eat that we _____________ live.
20. _____________ his soul rest in peace!

Answer

1. could
2. May
3. might
4. could
5. May
6. can
7. could
8. might
9. Could
10. may
11. could
12. might
13. May
14. can
15. might
16. may
17. may
18. could
19. may
20. May

Q. Fill in the blanks using ‘should’, ‘must’, ‘mustn’t, ‘have to’ or ‘ought to’:

1. You _____________ take care of your health.
2. We _____________ obey the laws of our country.
3. He _____________ obey his teacher.
4. We _____________ die sooner or later.
5. Walk carefully lest you _____________ fall down.
6. You _____________ start your work in right earnest.
7. One _____________ love one’s neighbour.
8. You _____________ not give way to despair even if you fail once.
9. The Bursar _____________ check all the accounts.
10. Students _____________ prepare their lessons well.
11. The doctor told me that I _____________ not smoke any more.
12. We _____________ do as we are told.
13. Children _____________ obey and respect their elders.
14. The headmaster _____________ check all those accounts.
15. You _____________ squander your parent’s hard earned money.
16. You _____________ mend your own ways before you criticize others.
17. The students _____________ be in school at eight.
18. You _____________ disobey the laws of the land.

Answer

1. should
2. must
3. ought to
4. must
5. should
6. must
7. ought to
8. should
9. must
10. ought to
11. must
12. must
13. ought to
14. must
15. mustn’t
16. have to
17. have to
18. mustn’t