Practice modal verbs with this engaging English grammar worksheet featuring 36 sentences and fun illustrations.

Exercise to Practise Modal Verbs

The task is to fill the gaps with the correct modal verb in the correct tense. Sometimes more than one option is possible. Below are the solutions with explanations for each sentence.

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#### 1. That woman might be Spanish but I am not sure. She sounds Spanish though.
- Modal verb: *might*
- Explanation: "Might" is used to express uncertainty or possibility.

#### 2. What should I do? Do you think I should go to the party with Michael?
- Modal verb: *should*
- Explanation: "Should" is used to ask for advice or suggest what is the right thing to do.

#### 3. You must not park here. You will get a parking fine if you do.
- Modal verb: *must not* (or *mustn't*)
- Explanation: "Must not" is used to express prohibition or strong advice against doing something.

#### 4. You cannot have called Sally. I have already called her.
- Modal verb: *cannot* (or *can't*)
- Explanation: "Cannot" is used to express certainty that something did not happen.

#### 5. I could speak English when I was young but now I can.
- Modal verb: *could* (past), *can* (present)
- Explanation: "Could" is the past form of "can," used to describe ability in the past. "Can" is used for present ability.

#### 6. You must wear a helmet if you ride a motorbike.
- Modal verb: *must*
- Explanation: "Must" is used to express obligation or necessity.

#### 7. Mandy may/might go to Rome next year but she is not sure.
- Modal verb: *may* or *might*
- Explanation: Both "may" and "might" can be used to express possibility or uncertainty.

#### 8. Take an umbrella. It might snow if the temperature goes down.
- Modal verb: *might*
- Explanation: "Might" is used to express possibility, especially when there is some doubt.

#### 9. You can walk. I can give you a lift if you want.
- Modal verb: *can*
- Explanation: "Can" is used to express ability or permission.

#### 10. You must have seen that film. It's one of the best films I've ever seen.
- Modal verb: *must have*
- Explanation: "Must have" is used to express strong belief about something that happened in the past.

#### 11. I hope I will pass all my exams and go to university next year.
- Modal verb: *will*
- Explanation: "Will" is used to express future intentions or predictions.

#### 12. They must be out. All lights are off. We must come back tomorrow.
- Modal verb: *must be*, *must*
- Explanation: "Must be" is used to express strong belief about the present situation. "Must" is used to express necessity or obligation.

#### 13. You must not use your mobile phone at the cinema. Turn it off!
- Modal verb: *must not* (or *mustn't*)
- Explanation: "Must not" is used to express prohibition.

#### 14. Mary must have told me Peter has already got a girlfriend.
- Modal verb: *must have*
- Explanation: "Must have" is used to express strong belief about something that happened in the past.

#### 15. She couldn't have heard the phone ringing. She had her headphones on.
- Modal verb: *couldn't have*
- Explanation: "Couldn't have" is used to express strong belief that something did not happen in the past.

#### 16. Tom told me he could swim when he was four. His parents taught him.
- Modal verb: *could*
- Explanation: "Could" is used to describe ability in the past.

#### 17. You must not shout at me. I am not deaf!
- Modal verb: *must not* (or *mustn't*)
- Explanation: "Must not" is used to express prohibition.

#### 18. He must have gone to the military service last year.
- Modal verb: *must have gone*
- Explanation: "Must have gone" is used to express strong belief about something that happened in the past.

#### 19. My car is filthy. I must wash it before the wedding.
- Modal verb: *must*
- Explanation: "Must" is used to express necessity or obligation.

#### 20. Charles, do you think you will pass your driving test soon?
- Modal verb: *will*
- Explanation: "Will" is used to express future intentions or predictions.

#### 21. The meeting has finished. You may leave now if you are not feeling well.
- Modal verb: *may*
- Explanation: "May" is used to express permission or possibility.

#### 22. Your eyes look red. You must have been crying. What's wrong?
- Modal verb: *must have been*
- Explanation: "Must have been" is used to express strong belief about something that was happening in the past.

#### 23. In my opinion, you should visit your aunt. You haven't seen her for a long time.
- Modal verb: *should*
- Explanation: "Should" is used to give advice or express what is the right thing to do.

#### 24. Serena, may I use your mobile, please? I left mine in the office.
- Modal verb: *may*
- Explanation: "May" is used to ask for permission.

#### 25. I would have come with you if I had known George was there.
- Modal verb: *would have*
- Explanation: "Would have" is used in conditional sentences to describe something that did not happen in the past.

#### 26. I had to wear a uniform when I was a flight attendant.
- Modal verb: *had to*
- Explanation: "Had to" is used to express past obligation or necessity.

#### 27. Shelley might/could come for the weekend if she can book a flight.
- Modal verb: *might* or *could*
- Explanation: Both "might" and "could" can be used to express possibility.

#### 28. Sorry Amanda. You must not use my computer. You broke it last time you did.
- Modal verb: *must not* (or *mustn't*)
- Explanation: "Must not" is used to express prohibition.

#### 29. You must speak Spanish here but English, otherwise you'll never learn.
- Modal verb: *must*
- Explanation: "Must" is used to express necessity or obligation.

#### 30. Pat ought to be so stubborn and go to the doctor's when she's not well.
- Modal verb: *ought to*
- Explanation: "Ought to" is used to express what is the right or proper thing to do.

#### 31. You can't have seen that film. They are still shooting it.
- Modal verb: *can't*
- Explanation: "Can't" is used to express certainty that something did not happen.

#### 32. She's wearing a fur coat. It looks expensive. She must have a lot of money.
- Modal verb: *must*
- Explanation: "Must" is used to express strong belief about something that is true.

#### 33. You must not step on the grass. You are not allowed to.
- Modal verb: *must not* (or *mustn't*)
- Explanation: "Must not" is used to express prohibition.

#### 34. We went to the theatre last night. You must have seen that play. It was great.
- Modal verb: *must have*
- Explanation: "Must have" is used to express strong belief about something that happened in the past.

#### 35. We don't need to hurry to catch the train. We've got plenty of time.
- Modal verb: *need to*
- Explanation: "Need to" is used to express necessity or obligation. Here, the negative form "don't need to" indicates that it is not necessary.

#### 36. You must be exhausted. You have been working all day non-stop.
- Modal verb: *must be*
- Explanation: "Must be" is used to express strong belief about the present situation.

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Final Answer:

\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. might \\
2. should \\
3. must not \\
4. cannot \\
5. could, can \\
6. must \\
7. may/might \\
8. might \\
9. can \\
10. must have \\
11. will \\
12. must be, must \\
13. must not \\
14. must have \\
15. couldn't have \\
16. could \\
17. must not \\
18. must have gone \\
19. must \\
20. will \\
21. may \\
22. must have been \\
23. should \\
24. may \\
25. would have \\
26. had to \\
27. might/could \\
28. must not \\
29. must \\
30. ought to \\
31. can't \\
32. must \\
33. must not \\
34. must have \\
35. don't need to \\
36. must be \\
\end{array}
}