Modal Verbs
It ____ be great getting to travel all over the world.
It MUST be great getting to travel all over the world.
I got/was getting caught in a storm when I was walking home.
I got caught in a storm when I was walking home.
We have known each other for years.
It's his fault. He should / would have dealt with the problem sooner rather than leaving it so long.
It's his fault. He should have dealt with the problem sooner rather than leaving it so long.
I ___ (call) her now and see what she says.
I will call her now and see what she says.
It _____ been difficult, only seeing your kids once a month.
It MUST HAVE been difficult, only seeing your kids once a month.
The sun was burning hot and I got really sunburned because I was forgetting/had forgotten to put any cream on.
The sun was burning hot and I got really sunburned because I had forgotten to put any cream on.
She ___(try) to call you all morning.
She has been trying to call you all morning.
I ____ have got here earlier, but the traffic was terrible.
I would have got here earlier, but the traffic was terrible.
Give 2 options:
I ___ (meet) a friend later.
1. I'm meeting a friend later.
2. I'm going to meet a friend later.
She ____ earning much as she's only doing cleaning work. (present)
She CAN'T BE earning much as she's only doing cleaning work.
The fog was so thick, I couldn't see a thing as I ____ (drive) along the motorway.
The for was so thick, I couldn't see a thing as I was driving along the motorway.
I ____ (put off) going to the dentist for ages, but it's so painful.
I have been putting off going to the dentist for ages, but it's so painful.
It ____ (be worse). He ___ (break) his neck.
It could have been worse. He could have broken his neck.
She _____(likely) to change her mind.
She isn't likely to change her mind.
We should get off the phone. He ______ (try) to call now.
We should get off the phone. He MIGHT BE TRYING to call now.
I _____ (answer) two questions by the time he ____ (finish).
I had answered two questions by the time he finished.
I ___ (ask) my landlord to fix the shower loads of times, but he still ___ (not do) it.
I have asked my landlord to fix the shower loads of times, but he still hasn't done it.
I blame the players. They got knocked out because they wouldn't have underestimated/underestimated the opposition. They ___ (take) the game more seriously!
I blame the players. They got knocked out because they underestimated the opposition. They should have taken the game more seriously!
Are both options possible?
I'm working / I'm quite likely to work late tonight, but I'll call / I'm calling you when I'm done.
I'm working / I'm quite likely to work late tonight, but I'll call you when I'm done.
Paraphrase with a modal:
The police believe it's possible that the thieves got in through an open window.
The thieves MIGHT HAVE GOT in through an open window.
I ___ (watch) a documentary the other night about tornadoes. I ___ (never / see) anything like it before.
I watched a documentary the other night about tornadoes. I had/have never seen anything like it before.
___ you ever ___ (be) hang-gliding?
I ___, actually. I ___ (go) there with a friend last year.
Have you ever been hang-gliding?
I have, actually. I went there with a friend last year.
The game was pretty awful, but I suppose it ___ (be) worse - we ___ (loose).
The game was pretty awful, but I suppose it might / could have been worse - we might have lost.
Paraphrase:
I don't think he'll accept the offer, but I guess it's worth asking. UNLIKELY
He's highly UNLIKELY to accept the offer, but I guess it's worth asking.