Sentence completion
Complete with no more than THREE words. What does the modal verb express?
I don't like that big ivy plant growing up the side of the house. Ivy ... well get in the brickwork and cause all sorts of damage.
may/might/could
possibility, more probability
Complete. What does the modal verb express?
The last major disadvantage of panel interviews is that the interviewers may be more concerned with their relationship with each other than with relating to the candidate. They (be) intent on impressing each other or the chairman or involved in little power games to prove who is the real leader of the group.
may/could/might be
present/future possibility
Complete. What does the modal verb express?
Few mammals have chemical defences. The skunk is an exception. It has glands just beneath its tail which ... produce considerable quantities of a most evil-smelling liquid.
can
general ability in the present
I'm sure this isn't how you get to the city!
CAN'T
This ... way to the city!
can't be the
Perhaps they didn't notice the tyre was flat.
MIGHT
They ... the tyre was flat.
might not have noticed (that)
Complete with no more than THREE words. What does the modal verb express?
... I possibly take your car for the afternoon?
could
request ('possibly' is used in polite requests, that's why 'can' is not used in this sentence)
Complete. What does the modal verb express?
'Was the ferry late?' 'No,' she denied with a wry little smile,' the ferry was perfectly on time; it was your wretched Dublin streets that were the problem! Someone (warn) me they were all one-way!'
might/could have warned
annoyance
Complete. What does the modal verb express?
You ... suppose that a bad smell would not deter a really hungry hunter, but anyone who has received a full squirt from a skunk knows very well that it is almost unendurable. The stench is so powerful that you feel - and sometimes are - violently sick.
may/could/might
present/future possibility
It makes no difference to me if we call it off.
MAY
We ... call it off.
may as well
I'm disappointed that you didn't back me up!
MIGHT
You ... me up!
might have backed
Complete with no more than THREE words. What does the modal verb express?
We ... go to the museum. There's nothing else to do.
might/may as well
there's no better alternative
Complete. What does the modal verb express?
In those days newspapers were filthy things, often virtually illegible, with smudgy pictures and layers of black ink which got all over your hands. The new technology (improve) the print and production quality, but it was not used for reasons of cost and time.
might/could have improved
past possibility which did not happen
Complete. What does the modal verb express?
If any quantity gets on your clothes, you ... as well destroy them.
may/might
there's no better alternative
Although it's summer, the temperature is more like winter.
MAY
It ... the temperature is more like winter.
may be summer, but
It wouldn't have been right to leave you to do all the work on your own.
COULDN'T
I ... all the work on your own.
couldn't have left you to do
Complete with no more than THREE words. What does the modal verb express?
You ... heard me wrong. I distinctly said 204525!
can't have
certainty
Complete. What does the modal verb express?
Panel interviews are intimidating for some interviewees who feel outnumbered and have a strong sense of 'me against all of them'. This (result) in unnecessarily poor interview performances in which the interviewers will not get an accurate picture of the candidates and their abilities.
may/could/might well result
present/future possibility, the modal verb expresses more probability
Complete. What does the modal verb express?
If it gets into your eyes, you ... not be able to see for several hours.
may/might (in a negative sentence)
present/future possibility
It's possible that this kind of snake is poisonous.
COULD
This snake ... the poisonous kinds.
could be one of
It's possible that the last person to leave didn't lock the door.
MIGHT
The last person ... the door unlocked.
to leave might have left
Complete with no more than THREE words. What does the modal verb express?
Keep you fingers crossed! The traffic warden ... noticed your car was parked next to a No Parking sign.
may/might not have
past possibility
Complete. What does the modal verb express?
Parents who have lost a child through a cot death are usually devastated. These parents' grief, already compounded by guilt that they might have failed to look after their child, can be made still worse by police behaviour suggesting a crime (commit).
might/could/may have been committed
past possibility
Complete. What does the modal verb express?
The skunk ... do its best to prevent tiresome confrontations, but displaying vivid keep-off signs is not always enough to keep away venturesome people.
.
may/might
concession
I think I'll manage to pass my driving test at the third try.
BE
I think I ... pass my driving test at the third try.
will be able to
It's not possible for the cat to have opened the fridge.
POSSIBLY
The cat ... the fridge.
can't possibly have opened