Modals Exercises
Exercise 1: Circle the correct answer.
1. Where are you going to go on your next vacation? We aren’t sure. We _____ go to
California or we _______ go to Florida.
have to must might
2. It’s getting late. We ________ hurry or we’ll miss the plane.
had better might could
3. Do you think Sue is in love with Peter? She ______ be, or she wouldn’t be spending
so much time with him.
can can’t must
4. When I was young, I _____ play the piano well.
had to could might
5. It _______ rain tonight. Why don’t you take your umbrella?
can may must
6. _____ I open the window? (You’re speaking to your boss).
will could must
7. Who is making all that noise? I'm not sure. It _____ be the neighbor.
could must has to
8. Next Monday is a holiday, so we __________ work.
can’t mustn’t don’t have to
9. ______ I use the car later? (You’re asking politely).
may must can
10. It’s so nice to meet you. You ______ be Joe’s brother. I can see the resemblance.
might could must
11. You ______ stop for gas, or we’ll run out on the highway.
had better may can
12. Doctors say that you ___ lie in the sun without using sunscreen. It’s bad for your
skin.
can’t mustn’t don’t have to
13. Please don’t wait for me for dinner. I _____ have to stay late for a meeting.
would must may
14. ____ you please tell me how to get to Boylston Street?
may might could
15. You ____ take a test in order to get a driver’s license.
can have to could
16. I _____ report to court tomorrow at 9:00 in the morning,
have to can might
17. You _______ smoke in this room!
don’t have to may not might not
18. Please help me. I _____ open this jar.
mustn’t couldn’t can’t
19. John passed all of his tests. He _______ retake any of them.
can’t may not doesn’t have to
20. When my brother was younger, he _____ always get in trouble at school.
could would might
21. We aren’t sure where we’re going to go tonight. We _____go to a movie.
must may have
22. When I was little, my father _____ always read me a story before I went to bed.
would might could
23. If you have a toothache, you ____ see a dentist.
could can had better
24. A: “Whose umbrella is this?” B: “I don’t know. It _____ be Bill’s.”
can could had better
25. Sue doesn’t feel well. She _____ see the doctor.
could would had better
Exercise 2: Put an X on the line if the sentence is incorrect and correct it. Put a C on the
line if the sentence is correct. Some sentences can be corrected differently.
1. ____I can get up early tomorrow, because I have a job interview.
2. ____We aren’t sure where to go for dinner. We may try that new Italian restaurant.
3. ____When I was little I could speak French well because I lived in France.
4. ____You may report your taxes to the government.
5. ____When I was in high school, I would to play baseball every weekend.
6. ____I have a terrible toothache. I would go to the dentist.
7. ____May you tell me how to find the post office?
8. ____You may have air in order to breathe.
9. ____There was a big accident on the highway. That must be why Nina is so late.
10. ___“You might not go out until you finish your homework,” said Jill’s mom.
11. ___“Mom, might you please close the window?”
12. ___Paul said that he could go out with us.
13. ___You mustn’t be late for the job interview.
14. ___You’d better don’t drink and drive.
15. ___Jane don’t have to get up early tomorrow.
16. ___Could I please use your phone?
