Modal Verbs · Exercises
C1Advanced practice
Past modals, needn’t have and the passive.
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What you’ll practise at C1
- Negatives: can’t, shouldn’t, don’t have to
- Questions: Can I…? Do I have to…?
- Obligation: must / have to / had to
- mustn’t or don’t have to?
- Possibility: might / may / could
- Deduction: must / might / can’t be
- Past modals: should have, must have, can’t have
- needn’t have or didn’t need to?
- Passive: must be done, can’t have been done
Need a refresher? Learn the modal verbs: rules, tables and audio examples.
Sample exercises
A taste of what’s inside. In practice mode every exercise is freshly generated.
Write the passive.
The files _____ (might / delete) by mistake.
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The files might have been deleted by mistake.
Passive with a modal: modal + be + past participle (about the past: modal + have been + participle). The files might have been deleted by mistake.
Complete the sentence. Meaning: maybe.
Carlos hasn’t replied to my message. He _____ be busy.
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Carlos hasn’t replied to my message. He could be busy.
might / may / could = maybe: it’s possible, but not certain. Carlos hasn’t replied to my message. He could be busy.
Write the passive.
The thief _____ (can't / see) by anyone.
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The thief can't have been seen by anyone.
Passive with a modal: modal + be + past participle (about the past: modal + have been + participle). The thief can't have been seen by anyone.
Complete the sentence. Meaning: maybe.
Amara isn’t answering her phone. She _____ be asleep.
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Amara isn’t answering her phone. She might be asleep.
might / may / could = maybe: it’s possible, but not certain. Amara isn’t answering her phone. She might be asleep.
Find the word that is wrong.
You mustn't bring your laptops — there are computers in the room.
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You don't have to bring your laptops — there are computers in the room.
mustn’t = it isn’t allowed. don’t have to = it isn’t necessary (you can if you want). You don't have to bring your laptops — there are computers in the room.
What does the sentence mean?
Olivia slept for ten hours last night. She can't be tired.
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Olivia slept for ten hours last night. She can't be tired.
can’t = I’m sure it isn’t true (the facts tell me).