KSU ESL Grammar 5 Modals

Past, present, or future? You could graduate in one year.

Logical conclusion or necessity? He passed the TOEFL! He must be happy.

What shall we do this evening? ___ pick Jan up and all go out to dinner together?

Can or can't? Students ____ hit their teachers.

My cat won’t eat. You ____ call the vet.

Possibility or permission? I may be late tomorrow.

Logical conclusion or necessity? She has a fever. She must go to the doctor.

Could or might + V Marco is absent. He ____ sick.

Yesterday, I ____ take a test.

Logical conclusion or necessity? I must call my mother today.

To or Ø? I love ____ grammar.

Have you seen my jacket? I ____ find it.

Logical conclusion or necessity? Her eyes are red. She must have been crying.

could, couldn’t, be able, not be able I ___ see my father on Skype, but he couldn't see me.

Children, stop! You ___ play with sharp knives.

Let’s go to a movie tonight. That sounds like fun, but I can’t. I ____ finish a report tonight.

I ____ finish my essay. Class starts soon.

could, couldn’t, be able to, or not be able to : I ___ drive, but my brother was.

Past, present, or future? It's cloudy. It could rain.

Rewrite with should or shouldn't: Don't smoke on campus.

Does Omar want to go with us to the film? No. He ___ go to a soccer match than a film.

Past, present, or future? I could run fast when I was younger.

To or Ø? Mary might ____ come if she finishes early.

Everyone ____ pay their tuition by the due date.

What shall we do after that? ___ we go back to my place for dessert?

To or Ø? I can ____ help you if you like.

Can or can't? Babies ___ drive.

I got my driver’s license! ___ I have the car tonight? Please, please?

Are you going to the conference? I ___. it's sort of iffy right now. I don't know if I can.

Logical conclusion or necessity? She is using an umbrella. It must be raining.

To or Ø? I have got ____ study tonight.

Tomorrow I ____ go to the dentist.

My knee was sore and I ___ climb the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty in New York.

Possibility or permission? It may snow tomorrow.

The hotel has towels. You ___ pack any.

To or Ø? You must not ____ smoke on campus.

To or Ø? I am able ____ speak English well.

Could or might + V It's so cold. I think it ____.

Do you think he will quit? I don't know. He's very angry. He ____.

Any questions?

To or Ø? The weather reporter says it ____ will be sunny all week.

Logical conclusion or necessity? She has a fever. She must be sick.

Possibility or permission? Students may not ask questions during a test.

could, couldn’t, be able to, or not be able to : When I was young, I ____ drive.

Can or can't? Babies ___ cry!

Logical conclusion or necessity? Doctors must wash before surgery.

Possibility or permission? You might not be able to finish today.

I just tripped on your carpet. You ___ fix it before someone gets hurt.

Possibility or permission? If you finish, you can leave early.

Past, present, or future? We could go to a movie when we finish dinner.

Possibility or permission? They might need to leave early.

To or Ø? Of course, you may ____ borrow my phone.

Past, present, or future? I could be late tonight. I have to go to the library.

Can or can't? Students ____ get upset with teachers.

Could or might + V Where's Bob? He ____ at the mall.

Logical conclusion or necessity? He failed all his classes. He must not have worked hard.

To or Ø? You ought ____ study very hard if you want to pass.

Hey, what’s up with Ken? He’s angry about work. I think you ___ sit down with him and explain.

To or Ø? I couldn't ____ finish my homework.

Possibility or permission? Muslims cannot eat pork.

Don't wait for me. I ___ be late.

You ____ do your chores before you go out to play.

At first, students ___ see their HW last night, but then they were.

Possibility or permission? I may need to ask a question.

Rewrite with should or shouldn't: Be careful with your passport.

Rick, ___ you work for me tonight? I have to help my mother.

Does this pen belong to you? No. It ___ be Susan’s. She was sitting at that desk.