This document provides definitions and examples of use for various modal verbs in English including can, could, may, might, must, should, will, shall, would, ought to. It then provides 25 sentences where the reader is asked to select the appropriate modal verb from the list to complete each sentence.

1. MODAL VERBS
CAN ability I can speak English.
permission Can I go to the toilet?
probability (0%) It can't be Susan. She is in Paris
COULD past ability She could speak Chinese when she was 5 years old.
past permission She could go to the cinema.
probability (30%) It could get much colder in January.
request, offer or suggestion Could I go to the toilet?
I could lend you my dictionary.
MAY probability (50%) It may rain tomorrow.
permission May I go to the cinema with you?
MIGHT probability (30% or less) It might snow today.
MUST prohibition You mustn't play with that. It's dangerous.
obligation You must study harder or you'll fail.
deduction / probability (100%) The visitor must be Daniel. I've seen his car outside.
SHOULD advice You shouldn't smoke. It's bad for your health.
WILL prediction I think he will study harder this time.
spontaneous decision Oh, it's very cold in here. I'll close the window.
Complete the following sentences with the right modal verb from the list above (or their negative forms):
1. I'm hungry. I think I ______________ have a sandwich.
2. You have been working very hard. I think you ______________ have a break.
3. You ______________ be patient. You can't always get things immediately.
4. ______________ go to the toilet?
5. We have run out of milk. You ______________ go to the supermarket and buy two cartons.
6. I'm not sure. I ______________ pass this exam.
7. ______________ you swim? Yes, but not very well.
8. ______________ you turn off the radio? I can't speak to your brother.
9. Rebecca is very intelligent. She ______________ speak five languages.
10. I forgot to phone my mother last night so I ______________ phone her today.
11. Isn't this classroom too hot? I ________________ open the window.
12. You ______________ speak to your mother like that. She will be very upset.
13. We ______________ ride a bike but we ______________ ski.
14. If I am not better I ______________ not go to work tomorrow.
15. Look at my shoes! They are so dirty. I ______________ clean them now.
16. Last night I was very tired but I ______________ sleep.
17. Your father ______________ smoke so much if he wants to get better soon.
18. Some of his friends ______________ go to the school trip because they had flu.
19. It ______________ be your sister. (= I'm sure it is your sister.)
20. Have you seen my keys? I ______________ find them.
21. (She doesn't know yet) My cousin ______________ come to the party.
22. ______________ I smoke here?
23. I wasn't hungry yesterday evening so I ______________ finish my dinner.
24. This is an excellent film. You ______________ watch it. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I did.
25. I'm sorry but I ______________ go to your birthday party next week.
26. Take an umbrella. It ______________ rain.
27. I don't think you ______________ spend so much money on clothes.