Racism and Slavery in American Literature
Modal Verb Exercises I
Fill in the blanks in each sentence using a modal verb, such as can, could, would, should, might, may, must, or have to, based on the situational hints shown in italics.
Select the modal that seems most appropriate for the situation described, and be prepared to explain your choice.
1. I ……… not know what to say to him if he showed up.
(I’m unprepared to speak to him.)
2. She ……… look at things differently once the facts are in.
(A change in opinion is possible after all the information becomes available.)
3. It’s company policy; you ……… do it this way or your expenses won’t be reimbursed.
(The company requires that this procedure be followed for expense reimbursements.)
4. I’m in terrible shape! I ……… exercise more!
(I’ve decided that more exercise is an absolute necessity for me.)
5. ……… you get this report done for us by tomorrow morning?
(Are you willing and able to prepare this report by tomorrow if we ask you?)
6. ……… you handle this much work on a regular basis?
(Do you have the capacity to handle this much work regularly?)
7. We were worried about you. You ……… have called us as soon as you knew you’d be late.
(Calling someone when you will be late is a good idea, in my opinion.)
8. You ……… want to think a little more carefully about that before trying it next time.
(I think you were stupid not to think more carefully about it.)
9. This computer’s not working. It ……… have been damaged by the thunderstorm.
(The damage is a logical deduction based on the information available.)
10. Ellen ……… be sent to London this summer, if the board decides that the situation there warrants it.
(The trip is certainly possible, but whether or not she goes depends on the board’s preference.)
11. My trainer says I’m in terrible shape. According to him I ……… exercise more.
(My trainer is trying to compel me to exercise more.)
12. You ……… always try reinstalling Windows, that might work if the disk is corrupt.
(This is one
Fill in the blanks in each sentence using a modal verb, such as can, could, would, should, might, may, must, or have to, based on the situational hints shown in italics.
Select the modal that seems most appropriate for the situation described, and be prepared to explain your choice.
1. I ……… not know what to say to him if he showed up.
(I’m unprepared to speak to him.)
2. She ……… look at things differently once the facts are in.
(A change in opinion is possible after all the information becomes available.)
3. It’s company policy; you ……… do it this way or your expenses won’t be reimbursed.
(The company requires that this procedure be followed for expense reimbursements.)
4. I’m in terrible shape! I ……… exercise more!
(I’ve decided that more exercise is an absolute necessity for me.)
5. ……… you get this report done for us by tomorrow morning?
(Are you willing and able to prepare this report by tomorrow if we ask you?)
6. ……… you handle this much work on a regular basis?
(Do you have the capacity to handle this much work regularly?)
7. We were worried about you. You ……… have called us as soon as you knew you’d be late.
(Calling someone when you will be late is a good idea, in my opinion.)
8. You ……… want to think a little more carefully about that before trying it next time.
(I think you were stupid not to think more carefully about it.)
9. This computer’s not working. It ……… have been damaged by the thunderstorm.
(The damage is a logical deduction based on the information available.)
10. Ellen ……… be sent to London this summer, if the board decides that the situation there warrants it.
(The trip is certainly possible, but whether or not she goes depends on the board’s preference.)
11. My trainer says I’m in terrible shape. According to him I ……… exercise more.
(My trainer is trying to compel me to exercise more.)
12. You ……… always try reinstalling Windows, that might work if the disk is corrupt.
(This is one