Exercises/ Modal verbs of possibility

Exercises

Modal verbs of possibility quiz

How sure are you? Practise must, can’t, might, could and should for possibility and deduction – about the present, the future and the past – with business examples.

Quick rules

must

I’m sure it’s true.

She must be in a meeting – her phone is off.

can’t

I’m sure it isn’t true. (Not ‘mustn’t’.)

That can’t be right – the figures don’t add up.

might / may / could

It’s possible.

The shipment might arrive late.

should

It’s likely – we expect it.

The new system should be ready by Monday.

+ have + past participle

The same meanings, about the past.

They can’t have read our proposal.

Sure or not sure?
Possible, likely or expected?
Talking about the past

1. Sure or not sure?

Must, can’t – or something less certain?

1Anna be in a meeting – she isn’t answering her phone and her calendar is blocked.

mustcan’tmustn’t

2That be right – the figures in the report don’t add up.

mustn’tcan’tshould

3You be exhausted – you’ve been travelling for 14 hours!

mustshouldcan

4He wants to walk to the client’s office? He be serious – it’s 5 kilometres away!

can’tmustn’tcouldn’t have

5They’ve cancelled three meetings this week. They be very busy.

mustcanmustn’t

2. Possible, likely or expected?

Might, could, may – or should?

1I’m just waiting for a taxi, so I be a few minutes late.

mightshouldn’tmust

2The product has had excellent reviews, so the launch go well.

shouldcan’tmustn’t

3Both bids are very strong, so it be a close decision.

couldmustn’tcan’t

4Even if we prepare well, we win the contract – the competition is very strong.

may notmustn’tcan’t

5If we leave now, we catch the 6 o’clock train.

should be able toshould have been able tomust

3. Talking about the past

Modal + have + past participle.

1I can’t find your email. You it to the wrong address.

might sendmight have sent

2They our proposal – they asked questions that are answered on page 2!

can’t readcan’t have read

3I wish I’d invited Maria to the launch. She it.

might enjoymight have enjoyed

4The client still hasn’t replied. They (might / miss) our reminder.

5The presentation went really well. You (must / prepare) for days!

6Peter’s still in Madrid, so he (can’t / be) at the meeting yesterday.

Check a section to see your score here.

More practice

Modal verbsPermissioncan, could, may, be allowed to Modal verbsCan or could?Ability, possibility, requestsModal verbsMust or have to?Obligation, past and future forms

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When using the modal verb 'could', do you every wonder what could have happened if you had done something differently in the past? Use some modal verbs of possibility in our Business English reading lesson on the sunk cost fallacy. What about using 'could' or 'might' to discuss what might happen in the future? Talk about the future of the world's most popular industries in our advanced reading lesson about the great English wine boom.

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