Answer :
Let's go through each sentence and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the word in brackets, using modal verbs.
Stewart is so tired and he is really happy that he will have a day off tomorrow and won't have to go to work.
- We use 'won't have to' to express that Stewart doesn't need to do something in the future.
Could you help me to find the book 'Death in Venice' by Thomas Mann?
- 'Could' is a polite way of asking for assistance.
I can't find my socks anywhere. I wore them on Tuesday. Your mum probably thought they were dirty. They must be in the laundry hamper.
- 'Must' is used to indicate a strong assumption.
I feel as if I could eat a whole cake by myself.
- 'Could' suggests possibility or ability in this context.
You should send your application right now, or else you might lose your chance for that well-paid job.
- 'Should' for advice, and 'might lose' to indicate a potential consequence.
You shouldn't have bought such an expensive bag. Why have you done it? You have plenty of others in your wardrobe.
- 'Shouldn't have' suggests a past action that was not the best choice.
Yesterday I saw a man who looked like Tom. It can't be Tom. He is on holiday in Valetta, the capital of Malta.
- 'Can't' indicates certainty that something is not true.
If Martin wrote and spoke English fluently, he wouldn't take those courses next summer.
- Second conditional (if + past simple, would + base form) for hypothetical situations.
I wonder if it was Julie. No, it couldn't be Julie. I saw her working in the garden and I think she is still outside.
- 'Couldn't' is used for strong disbelief in a past action.
I saw Kevin working on the last item of his report a couple of hours ago. I think he must have finished working by now.
- 'Must have' is used to make a logical deduction about a past action.
- If Trevor doesn't pay his rent, he will have no place to live. I think he should do it as soon as possible.
- 'Should do' gives advice about an action to be taken immediately.
- Martha could be traveling on business now because she is a top sales manager for one of the divisions of her company.
- 'Could be' indicates possibility.
- The weather forecaster predicts light drizzles in the morning, but it might rain heavily by the evening.
- 'Might' indicates a future possibility.
- Samantha could have done it long before; she just didn't try.
- 'Could have' indicates a missed opportunity in the past.
- Simon should have been more polite. The old man was insulted by his jokes.
- 'Should have' is used to express regret or criticism about a past action.
- Polly might have been told about the customers' complaints yesterday.
- 'Might have been' expresses uncertainty about whether an action occurred.
- Most people are reluctant to go to the dentist, but they should do it regularly.
- 'Should do' for ongoing advice or habit.
Understanding how to correctly use modal verbs helps us provide clarity, express different degrees of certainty or obligation, and give advice in English.
