Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb.
1. You …………………….. not play with fire. (prohibition)
Must can indicate prohibition.
2. The children asked whether they …………………………….. go for a swim. (permission)
We use can and could to seek permission.
3. We ………………………….. hear music playing in the next room. (ability)
We use can to show ability.
4. If you start now, you ………………………… reach there by midnight. (prediction)
We use will to make simple predictions about future.
5. I did all that I ………………………… (ability)
A past tense in the main clause is usually followed by a past tense in the subordinate clause. Could is the past tense of can.
6. He said that he ……………………….. lay down his life for his country. (determination)
A past tense in the main clause is usually followed by a past tense in the subordinate clause. Would is the past tense of will.
7. Work hard lest you ………………………… fail. (certainty)
Should is the only auxiliary that can follow lest.
8. I ………………………. pass. I am not sure. (weak probability)
We use might to indicate weak probability.
9. To whom ………………………… I address this letter?
We use should to ask for suggestions.
10. ………………………… you mind moving a bit?
Would is used with mind.
11. She ……………………………. not wait any longer. (lack of necessity)
12. I don’t know whether I ………………………… have time.
Answers
1. You must not play with fire.
2. The children asked whether they could go for a swim.
3. We can hear music playing in the next room.
4. If you start now, you will reach there by midnight.
5. I did all that I could.
6. He said that he would lay down his life for his country.
7. Work hard lest you should fail.
8. I might pass. I am not sure.
9. To whom should I address this letter?
10. Would you mind moving a bit?
11. She need not wait any longer.
12. I don’t know whether I will have time.
