Fill the Gap
She ______ have known the risks—she’s a seasoned mountaineer.
must
“I might join you for dinner—if I finish this report.”
The speaker is uncertain or hesitant about joining.
What’s the difference between “You must be tired” and “You must have been tired”?
The first expresses a present deduction; the second refers to a deduction about the past.
What does this imply? “They might have missed the train.”
It’s possible they missed the train (uncertain past possibility).
“The Tenant shall pay rent on the first of each month.”
Why is shall used instead of must or has to? Rewrite formally using inversion: “If I were you, I wouldn’t accept the offer.”
Shall is used in formal/legal contexts to express obligation with binding force, especially in third-person clauses.
______ I be so bold as to suggest an alternative approach?
Might
“You shouldn’t have gone through my private files!”
The speaker is expressing disapproval or reproach about a past action.
How does “He could come tomorrow” differ from “He might come tomorrow”?
“Could” emphasizes ability or possibility; “might” emphasizes uncertainty or likelihood.
Construct a sentence expressing regret using a perfect modal: (e.g., about not studying)
“I should have studied harder for the exam.”
“The delegation would appreciate it if the proposal were reconsidered.”
What pragmatic function does would serve here?
It softens the request, making it more polite, indirect, and tactful—typical of diplomatic or high-stakes communication.
He ______ not have resigned if he’d known they’d promote him the next week.
would
“He can’t be the one who leaked the documents—he wasn’t even in the office that day.”
The speaker is expressing strong disbelief or logical impossibility.
Contrast: “You should see a doctor” vs. “You ought to see a doctor.”
Both give advice, but “ought to” is slightly more formal and often implies moral obligation.
What’s the speaker criticizing? “You could have told me you were coming!”
The speaker is upset that the listener didn’t inform them earlier (missed opportunity).
“These results may suggest a correlation, though causation cannot be inferred.”
Why is may preferred over might or could here?
May conveys cautious possibility while maintaining scholarly neutrality; it’s conventionally favored in formal academic hedging.
You ______ as well tell the truth now; the evidence is overwhelming.
may
“Would you happen to know where the archives are kept?”
The speaker is making a polite, tentative request.
What’s the difference between “Will you help me?” and “Would you help me?”
“Would” is more polite and hypothetical; “will” is more direct or immediate.
“He must have been exhausted after running the marathon.”
The speaker is making a confident deduction about his past state.
“He would sit by the window for hours, watching the rain.”
What does would express in this context?
It describes a past habitual action (repeated behavior in the past), not conditional meaning.
Were she to apply herself, she ______ easily surpass her peers.
could
“She needn’t have worried; everything turned out fine.”
The speaker implies that her worry was unnecessary in hindsight.
Explain the distinction: “She must leave now” vs. “She has to leave now.
“Must” expresses internal obligation or strong personal necessity; “has to” suggests external obligation (e.g., a rule or schedule).
Create a sentence using a perfect modal to express an unfulfilled past ability
Example: “She could have won the race if she hadn’t twisted her ankle.”
Construct a sentence using a modal verb appropriate for a formal complaint letter, expressing justified expectation that was unmet.
“We should have received confirmation within 48 hours, as stipulated in your service agreement.”