MODALS AND MODAL PERFECTS

Circle the correct modal so that both sentences have the same meaning.
1. David has the ability to finish the project by himself.
David must / can / ought to finish the project by himself.
2. I know that Frances was capable of cooking that meal.
I know that Frances should have / must have / could have cooked that meal.
3. We prefer that you do not feed the elephants.
You cannot / should not / dont have to feed the elephants.
4. It is unnecessary for him to register for the conference.
He cant / must not / doesnt have to register for the conference.
5. It is possible that they will arrive home after dark.
They may / need to / have to arrive home after dark.
6. Was it necessary for him to pay full price for the tickets?
Did he have to pay / Could he have paid / Might he have paid full price for
the tickets?
Choose the correct modal.
1.

Can / Must long-distance relationships work? If you or your partner 2. has /

ought to move away, to attend an out-of-town university, for example, does this
mean that your relationship 3. should / must inevitably end? Experts agree that such
a separation 4. is able to / can be difficult, but they say that distance 5. doesnt have
to / must not end a strong relationship if both partners really want to make it work.
It is true that they 6. have to / might make more of an effort. For example, they 7.
should / cannot try to write, phone, text and e-mail regularly, and they 8. may /
ought to get together as often as they
9.
are able / have to. But such relationships do not have to end, so if you find
yourself in that situation, dont give up hope!
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use a modal
or a modal perfect.
1. Eddie (compete) in the swimming competition because
he is ill.
2. Take my advice: you (talk) to a professional decorator
if you want the room to look nice.
3. Simone (wear) a swimming costume if she feels selfconscious.
4. The party was great! You (leave) early.
5. Sue looks really happy. She (pass) her test!

 Complete the passage with a suitable modal or modal perfect. There is more than
one possible answer.
arent able to can cant are able to could have might may
have
Do you think you 1. tell what someones
personality is from their face? According to one study, 90%
of people think that they 2. do this.
And now, researchers are discovering that many faces 3.
provide some accurate clues to
personality. According to some researchers, its possible
that ancient humans 4. developed the
ability to read faces as
a survival mechanism. Knowing at first glance who was
friendly or who was a threat
5.
helped people know how to act
towards each other. Of course, we
6.
know this for certain, since we 7.
speak to people who lived thousands of
years ago!
Complete the sentences using the correct form of the modals and modal perfects
below. Do not change the original meaning.
be able to not need to shouldnt might must
1. Have you got the ability to make friends easily?
make friends easily?
2. I made a mistake by inviting your old boyfriend.
invited your old boyfriend.
3. It is unnecessary for you to prepare dinner.
prepare dinner.
4. Its possible that Maya will get here late.
get here late.
5. Youre required to provide an e-mail address.
provide an e-mail address.
Rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets. Do not change the original
meaning.
1. I suggest you tell James the truth. (ought)
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2. There was no way that my brother heard us. (couldnt)
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3. I regret telling him how I really felt. (shouldnt)

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4. What a pity you didnt come to the party! (should)
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