Modal Verbs Practice Sheet

Introduction to Modals

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that modify the meaning of the main verb. They express ability, permission, obligation, necessity, possibility, and
advice. The most commonly used modals are:

• Can / Could: Ability, permission, possibility.

• May / Might: Permission, possibility, suggestion.

• Must: Necessity, obligation, deduction.

• Should / Ought to: Advice, obligation, expectation.

• Will / Would: Future actions, willingness, requests, hypothetical situations.

Exercise 1: Understanding Modals (Fill in the blanks)

Complete the sentences with the correct modal verb from the options provided.

1. We __________ (can / must / should) meet at 3 PM, but it’s flexible.

2. You __________ (could / might / should) start the presentation when everyone arrives.

3. They __________ (must / could / may) be attending the event tonight.

4. If he studied harder, he __________ (can / could / might) pass the exam with ease.

5. You __________ (might / could / will) want to wear a jacket, as it’s chilly outside.
Exercise 2: Modal Verbs for Permission, Ability, and Requests

Choose the correct modal verb to complete the sentence.

1.__________ I use your computer for a while?

a) Can

b) Should

c) Might

d) Would

2.I __________ play chess when I was younger, but I stopped practicing.

a) could

b) should

c) can

d) may

3.You __________ ask for permission before leaving early.

a) must

b) may

c) can

d) should

4.__________ you help me set up the presentation?

a) Might

b) Can

c) Should
d) Would

5.__________ I speak to the manager?

a) May

b) Will

c) Must

d) Can

Exercise 3: Modal Verbs for Possibility and Probability

Fill in the blanks with the correct modal verb (can, could, may, might, must).

1. He __________ (might / must / could) be the best candidate for the job.

2. It __________ (could / must / can) rain later, so take an umbrella.

3. She __________ (may / might / can) have already finished the assignment by now.

4. We __________ (can / could / must) finish the project by next week.

5. This __________ (could / might / should) be the place we were looking for.

Exercise 4: Modal Verbs for Obligation and Necessity

Choose the correct modal verb to indicate obligation or necessity.

1.You __________ finish your report before you leave today.

a) must

b) may

c) can

d) might

2.We __________ take this seriously if we want to succeed.

a) should

b) must

c) may

d) could

3.Students __________ complete the assignment by next Monday.

a) must

b) should

c) might

d) may

4.You __________ pay attention to the instructions to avoid mistakes.

a) might

b) should

c) could

d) will
5.You __________ bring your ID card to enter the campus.

a) can

b) must

c) should

d) might

Exercise 5: Modal Verbs in Hypothetical and Conditional Sentences

Complete the sentences using the correct modal verb in the past or future form.

1.If I had known about the meeting, I __________ (attend) it.

2.If you __________ (study) more last semester, you would have passed the exam.

3.If she __________ (tell) me earlier, I could have helped her.

4.If we had left earlier, we __________ (arrive) on time.

5.If he __________ (work) harder, he might have been promoted.

Exercise 6: Choose the Correct Modal Verb (Multiple Choice)

1.She __________ speak three languages.

a) can

b) could

c) should

d) may
2.I __________ assist you with your research if you need help.

a) will

b) can

c) could

d) must

3.You __________ park here. It’s a no-parking area.

a) should

b) must

c) might

d) mustn’t

4)They __________ be at the conference by now.

a) might

b) must

c) could

d) should

5.__________ I leave early today?

a) Will

b) May

c) Might

d) Must
Exercise 7: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences:

1. She should goes to the office now.

2. I can to help you with your homework if you need.

3. You musts attend the seminar tomorrow.

4. He should studying more to pass the course.

5. We could to finish the project if we had more time.

Exercise 8: Modals for Giving Advice, Suggestions, and Recommendations

Complete the sentences with should, ought to, or must.

1. You __________ take a break if you’re feeling tired.

2. I think you __________ apologize for your behavior.

3. We __________ focus more on our research this semester.

4. She __________ have informed me about the schedule change.

5. You __________ try to stay calm during stressful situations.

Exercise 9: Modal Verbs for Polite Requests

Choose the correct modal verb for making a polite request

1.__________ you pass me the salt, please?

a) Will

b) Would

c) Can

d) Could

2.__________ I borrow your book for the evening?

a) May

b) Might

c) Will

d) Can

3.__________ you help me with this issue?

a) Might

b) Could

c) Will

d) Should

4.__________ I use your laptop for a moment?

a) Can

b) Should

c) May

d) Could
5.__________ you tell me the time?

a) Can

b) Could

c) May

d) Wil

Exercise 10: Expressing Future Possibility and Willingness

Complete the sentences with will, might, could, or would.

1. I __________ help you with the project if you need.

2. If I had time, I __________ go to the event with you.

3. They __________ come to the party tonight, but I’m not sure.

4. I __________ be happy to join you for dinner.

5. If you finish early, you __________ leave the office.

Exercise 11: Modal Verbs for Expressing Deduction (Past, Present, Future)

Complete the sentences with the appropriate modal verb.

1. She __________ (must / may) have been at the meeting earlier.

2. He __________ (can’t / must) be the person who caused the problem.

3. They __________ (might / must) be working on the project right now.

4. We __________ (could / may) need more time to complete the assignment.

5. He __________ (might / should) have forgotten about the deadline.

1. Exercise 1:

1. should

2. might 9. Exercise 9:

3. might 1. b) Would

4. could 2. a) May

5. might 3. b) Could

2. Exercise 2: 4. d) Could

1. a) Can 5. b) Could

2. a) could 10. Exercise 10:

3. a) must 11. will

4. d) Would 12. would

5. a) May 13. might

3. Exercise 3: 14. would

1. could 15. could

2. might 16. Exercise 11:

3. may 17. must

4. must 18. can’t

5. might 19. might

4. Exercise 4: 20. may

1. a) must 21. might

2. b) must

3. a) must

4. b) should

5. b) must

5. Exercise 5:

1. would have attended

2. would have passed

3. could have told

4. would have arrived

5. could have worked

6. Exercise 6:

1. a) can

2. b) can