Modals In the Past
"I _____ play the piano when I was a child."
...could...
What is must?
The modal verb used to express a strong deduction or a logical conclusion about a present situation. "He's wearing a suit, so he must be a lawyer."
What is will?
The modal verb used to express a strong possibility or prediction about the future.
" _____ you please help me with this box?" - explain your choice
could - This modal verb is used to ask a very polite question, often in the past tense form.
What is must or have to?
The modal verb used to express a strong obligation or something you have to do because of a law.
What is should have?
The modal verb phrase used to say that something was a good idea, but it didn't happen.
What is can?
The modal verb used for a general ability you have now. "I _____ speak Spanish fluently."
"I _____ go to the party tomorrow, but I'm not sure yet." - chose the right verb and explain the choice
MAY/MIGH - The modal verbs used for a possibility that is not very strong about a future event.
" _____ I sit down here?"
can -The most common modal verb used to ask for permission.
"You _____ smoke in this building." - chose the right modal verb and explain your choice
must not/mustn't - The negative modal verb that expresses a strong prohibition.
What is was able to?
This modal verb is used to say that you were able to do something in a specific, single situation in the past.
What are might and could?
The two modal verbs used to express a present possibility that something is true. "She's not answering the phone. She _____ be busy."
What are will and shall?
The two modal verbs that express a strong prediction about what will happen.
"You _____ try to get more sleep." - explain your choice
should - A modal verb used to give advice or a suggestion, often with a weak obligation.
What are don't have to and don't need to?
The two modal verbs used to say that an action is not necessary.
"He _____ studied harder if he wanted to pass the exam."
...should have...
What is can't?
The modal verb used to say that something is not possible or cannot be true right now. "That _____ be her car; it's a completely different colour."
"I am confident that you _____ be able to find a solution."
will
What is may?
The most formal modal verb used to ask for permission, often used in official contexts.
"I _____ call my mother more often." - chose the right modal verb and explain
should/must - The modal verb used to express a personal obligation that comes from inside you, rather than an external rule.
The difference in meaning between "He could have left" and "He might have left."
Could have suggests he had the ability to leave, while might have expresses a possibility that he left
"You _____ be serious! That's a ridiculous idea."
...can't...
"If you want to save money, you _____ have to spend less."
will
" _____ I get you a glass of water?" - explain your choice
shall/would - The two modal verbs that can be used to make a polite offer to a person.
"We _____ have bought a ticket, as the concert was free." - chose the right modal and provide an explanation
didn't need to - The correct modal verb phrase to complete this sentence.