Modal Verbs in English | Practice 3
Advanced Level
Based on this lesson, choose the modal verbs that would best complete each blank in the sentences below. Base your answer on the context provided in the sentence. For practice, you can write the modal in the space provided.
Example
Item. If you want to finish your essay on time, start working on it right away.
Answer: had better
Why? Based on the sentence, you need to use “had better” to express the idea that doing something is strongly advisable.
When you are finished, click the button that has your answer. You will see if your answer is correct or incorrect.
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Ready? Start below.
Correct!
In this sentence “must to” expresses the idea that doing is strongly inadvisable; it breaks a “moral rule.”
Incorrect!
Grammatically, the sentence makes sense with “will,” but that is unlikely what the sentence is supposed to mean.
Incorrect!
As you know, people can do it, and they do it all the time. The idea in the sentence is that it is not the right thing to do. Try again.
Incorrect!
Pay close attention to the main verb (to lend). Saying “can to lend” is grammatically incorrect, so try again.
Correct!
Good job! You can use “can” or “be able to” to express ability or possibility. In this sentence, however, you must use “be able” because the main verb is used with “to” (to lend).
Incorrect!
Pay close attention to the main verb (to lend). Saying “could to lend” is grammatically incorrect, so try again.
Incorrect!
With a conditional using “if," you would say, “If you cancel the meeting," not “if you will cancel…" Try again.
Not quite…
Although technically you could use “can” here, there is a much better option that would make more sense given the context in the sentence.
Correct!
Good job! In this sentence, “have to” indicates a necessity.
It is as if you were saying, “If it is necessary for you to cancel the meeting, let me know.
Incorrect!
”Must want” does not sound right. You might say, “You must bring an umbrella,” but not “must want to.” Try again.
Incorrect!
Try again. You might say, “You had better bring an umbrella,” but you would not say “you had better want to.” Try again.
Correct!
You’re doing great! “You may want to do something” or “You might want to do something” is used as a suggestion because there is a probability that something might happen.
Correct!
Good job! In this sentence, you need an infinitive after “should.” The idea is to express ability, so “be able to” is the correct option.
Incorrect!
“Should can” is ungrammatical. You need a verb in the infinitive after “should.” Try another modal or semi-modal verb.
Incorrect!
“Should must” is ungrammatical and does not make sense. Try another modal or semi-modal verb.
Incorrect!
Try again. In this sentence, you are promising or showing willingness to do something.
Incorrect!
In this sentence, you are promising or showing willingness to do something. Try again.
Correct!
Great work! “Will” here means that you are promising or showing that you are willing to do something.
Incorrect!
Try again. This sentence is expressing a necessity.
Incorrect!
Try again. This sentence is expressing that it is necessary for something to happen.
Correct!
Great job! To express that it is necessary for something to happen, you should use “need to.”
Correct!
Good job! This sentence expresses that there is some probability or a chance that something happened.
Incorrect!
This sentence expresses that there is some likelihood, though not a very high one, that something happened. Try a modal verb that expresses that idea.
Incorrect!
The idea in this sentence is that you are not sure how likely it is that you deleted the files. How do you express a fairly low likelihood or probability?
Incorrect!
The idea is that something needs to happen first. Then you have the ability to take the next action. (Note that “were able” is in the past.)
Incorrect!
The idea is that something needs to happen first. Then you have the ability to take the next action.
Correct!
You’re doing great! The idea is that something needs to happen first. Then you have the ability to (or you can) take the next action.
Correct!
Great work! The idea in this sentence is that she “could” do something or she “was able” to do it.
Incorrect!
Pay attention to the main verb (to overcome). Besides, the sentence is in the past whereas “may” can only express the present or future.
Incorrect!
The sentence is in the past, so “must” does not fit here. Besides, the idea is that this person did accomplish something.
Have You Completed All the Practice?
Practice 1. Use modals to complete sentences using clues.
Practice 2. Use modals to complete sentences using context clues.
Congratulations on completing this practice!
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