Modal Auxiliary Verbs Exercise

.This grammar exercise tests your ability to use modal auxiliary verbs. Fill in the blanks

.N1. She may …………………….. his name

know
knows
knowing

.N2. She ……………………….. speak English

can
cans

.N3. He ………………………….. do that

not should
does not should
should not

.N4. You must …………………………. now

to leave
leave
leaving

.N5. The walls ought to ………………………… one of these days

paint
be painted
be painting

.N6. I really ……………………… to work hard in those days

have
had
must
musted

.N7. You ………………………….. me you were coming

should tell
should told
should have told

‘.N8. ‘Suma hasn’t arrived yet.’ ‘She ……………………….. the train

might miss
might have missed
can have missed

.N9. She …………………………. be in London or Paris

could
can

.N10. Chennai …………………………. be very hot in March

may
can
must

‘.N11. ‘Where is Janaki?’ ‘She ………………………… have gone swimming

may
might
can

.N12. Students ………………………….. use the staff car park

must not
may not
cannot
All of the above

: Answers

.N1. She may know his name
.N2. She can speak English
.N3. He should not do that
.N4. You must leave now
.N5. The walls ought to be painted one of these days
.N6. I really had to work hard in those days
.N7. You should have told me you were coming
.’N8. ‘Suma hasn’t arrived yet.’ ‘She might have missed the train
.N9. She could be in London or Paris
.N10. Chennai can be very hot in March
‘.N11. ‘Where is Janaki?’ ‘She may/might have gone swimming
N12. Students must not / cannot / may not use the staff car p