Modals – English Grammar Exercises

Grammar Exercises

Instructions: Choose the correct modal from the brackets.

  1. ________ you help me carry this bag? (Can/May)
  2. You ________ wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. (must/might)
  3. It ________ rain this evening. (might/shall)
  4. ________ I borrow your ruler? (May/Will)
  5. We ________ visit our grandparents next weekend. (will/ought to)
  6. She ________ speak three languages fluently. (can/should)
  7. You ________ finish your homework before watching TV. (should/could)
  8. ________ we start the meeting now? (Shall/Can)
  9. He ________ become the captain if he practises hard. (might/must)
  10. They ________ arrive by 6 p.m. (will/may)
  11. Students ________ respect their teachers. (ought to/could)
  12. ________ you pass me the salt, please? (Would/Must)
  13. We ________ leave now or we’ll miss the train. (must/might)
  14. I ________ solve the puzzle when I was eight. (could/will)
  15. You ________ be polite to everyone. (should/may)

Answers

  1. Can
  2. must
  3. might
  4. May
  5. will
  6. can
  7. should
  8. Shall
  9. might
  10. will
  11. ought to
  12. Would
  13. must
  14. could
  15. should

Instructions: Choose the most suitable modal.

  1. ________ I come in?
    a) Must
    b) May
    c) Could
  2. You ________ not waste water.
    a) should
    b) may
    c) would
  3. We ________ win the match if we practise well.
    a) might
    b) shall
    c) ought to
  4. ________ you like some juice?
    a) Would
    b) Must
    c) Shall
  5. You ________ stop when the traffic light is red.
    a) must
    b) could
    c) might
  6. I ________ swim when I was five.
    a) could
    b) may
    c) shall
  7. It ________ snow tonight.
    a) might
    b) ought to
    c) will
  8. We ________ meet again next month.
    a) will
    b) could
    c) should
  9. Children ________ obey their parents.
    a) ought to
    b) might
    c) could
  10. ________ we go for a walk?
    a) Shall
    b) Must
    c) Would

Answers –

  1. b) May
  2. a) should
  3. a) might
  4. a) Would
  5. a) must
  6. a) could
  7. a) might
  8. a) will
  9. a) ought to
  10. a) Shall

Instructions: Rewrite each sentence using the modal in brackets.

  1. It is necessary for you to wear your seat belt. (must)
  2. Is it possible for you to lift this box? (can)
  3. Perhaps she is at the library. (might)
  4. It is a good idea to drink plenty of water. (should)
  5. We plan to visit Delhi tomorrow. (will)
  6. Is it alright if I leave early? (may)
  7. We should help people in need. (ought to)
  8. He knew how to ride a bicycle at the age of six. (could)
  9. Do you want some coffee? (would)
  10. Let’s begin the lesson. (shall)

Answers –

(Sample answers; other correct wordings are acceptable.)

  1. You must wear your seat belt.
  2. Can you lift this box?
  3. She might be at the library.
  4. You should drink plenty of water.
  5. We will visit Delhi tomorrow.
  6. May I leave early?
  7. We ought to help people in need.
  8. He could ride a bicycle at the age of six.
  9. Would you like some coffee?
  10. Shall we begin the lesson?

Instructions: Each sentence has one incorrect modal. Rewrite it correctly.

  1. May you help me move this table?
  2. You might brush your teeth every day.
  3. We can respect the national flag.
  4. Shall I borrow your notebook?
  5. Students would complete their homework on time.
  6. He must play the piano when he was seven.
  7. It will rain, but I’m not sure.
  8. You ought arrive on time.
  9. Could I have another glass of water yesterday?
  10. We should to finish the project today.

Answers –

  1. Can you help me move this table?
  2. You should brush your teeth every day.
  3. We must respect the national flag.
  4. May I borrow your notebook?
  5. Students should complete their homework on time.
  6. He could play the piano when he was seven.
  7. It might rain, but I’m not sure.
  8. You ought to arrive on time.
  9. Could I have another glass of water? (or: Could I have had another glass of water? if referring to the past)
  10. We should finish the project today.

Instructions: Fill in each blank with a suitable modal.

Aarohi: ________ I come in?

Teacher: Yes, you ________.

Aarohi: I forgot my notebook. ________ I borrow one?

Teacher: Yes, you ________.

Aarohi: Thank you. I ________ return it tomorrow.

Teacher: You ________ remember your notebook next time.

Aarohi: I ________. Thank you!

Answers –

  1. May
  2. can
  3. May
  4. can
  5. will
  6. should
  7. will

Instructions: Replace the underlined words with one suitable modal.

  1. It is necessary to wear a uniform.
  2. It is possible that he is sleeping.
  3. I knew how to skate when I was nine.
  4. It is a good idea to save money.
  5. Is it allowed if I use your phone?
  6. We are certain to finish the work tomorrow.
  7. Would you like to join us?
  8. Let’s go to the museum.
  9. It is advisable to revise every day.
  10. Perhaps they have forgotten the address.

Answers –

  1. We must wear a uniform.
  2. He might be sleeping.
  3. I could skate when I was nine.
  4. You should save money.
  5. May I use your phone?
  6. We will finish the work tomorrow.
  7. Would you like to join us?
  8. Shall we go to the museum?
  9. You ought to revise every day. (or: You should revise every day.)
  10. They might have forgotten the address.

Instructions: Choose the most suitable modal.

  1. You ________ not touch hot objects.
  2. ________ I ask you a question?
  3. We ________ have a picnic if the weather is pleasant.
  4. You ________ exercise regularly to stay healthy.
  5. My grandfather ________ run very fast when he was young.
  6. ________ we invite everyone to the party?
  7. It ________ be true, but I am not sure.
  8. You ________ finish the test before the bell rings.
  9. ________ you mind closing the door?
  10. The train ________ arrive at 8:30 p.m.
  11. Children ________ be honest.
  12. I ________ solve all the questions yesterday.
  13. They ________ visit us during the holidays.
  14. We ________ leave immediately because of the storm.
  15. ________ I sit here?

Answers –

  1. must
  2. May
  3. might
  4. should
  5. could
  6. Shall
  7. might
  8. must
  9. Would
  10. will
  11. should (or ought to)
  12. could
  13. will
  14. must
  15. May

Instructions: Use the correct modal from the box to complete each sentence.

Box: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, ought to

  1. ________ you help me carry these books?
  2. We ________ leave now, or we will miss the school bus.
  3. ________ I borrow your pencil for a while?
  4. My grandfather ________ run very fast when he was young.
  5. It ________ rain later, so carry an umbrella.
  6. You ________ always wash your hands before eating.
  7. ________ we begin the science experiment now?
  8. I ________ visit my cousins during the summer holidays.
  9. ________ you like another slice of cake?
  10. Students ________ respect their teachers.
  11. You ________ complete your project before Monday.
  12. She ________ speak both Hindi and French fluently.
  13. We ________ win the match if everyone plays well.
  14. ________ you please close the window?
  15. Everyone ________ wear a seat belt while travelling in a car.

Answers –

  1. Can
  2. must
  3. May
  4. could
  5. might
  6. should
  7. Shall
  8. will
  9. Would
  10. ought to
  11. must
  12. can
  13. might
  14. Would
  15. must

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with suitable modal verbs from the box.
Each modal may be used once, more than once, or not at all.

Box: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, ought to

Paragraph 1 – The School Picnic

Our class ________ go on a picnic next Friday if the weather is pleasant. Before the trip, we ________ submit the permission slip signed by our parents. The teacher said we ________ bring our own water bottles and snacks. We ________ also carry caps because it ________ become very sunny during the day. “________ I bring my camera?” asked Vivaan. “Yes, you ________,” replied the teacher, “but you ________ take good care of it.” Everyone was excited because they ________ finally spend a fun day together.

Answers – Paragraph 1

  1. will
  2. must
  3. should
  4. should
  5. might
  6. May
  7. can
  8. must
  9. will

Paragraph 2 – Helping During an Emergency

Last evening, an elderly man slipped near the market. Nia saw him and knew she ________ help immediately. She called for assistance because she ________ not lift him alone. Soon, two shopkeepers arrived. One of them said, “________ we call an ambulance?” The other replied, “Yes, we ________.” They believed the man ________ have injured his leg, so he ________ receive medical attention as soon as possible. The ambulance ________ arrive within a few minutes, and everyone hoped the man ________ recover quickly.

Answers – Paragraph 2

  1. must
  2. could
  3. Shall
  4. should
  5. might
  6. should
  7. would
  8. would