Modals Exercise

Shall can express an order when used with second and third person pronouns.

4. You ……………………….. regret this.

When used with second and third person pronouns, shall can express a threat.

5. What ……………………….. we do now?

Shall can be used to request instruction.

6. Parents ………………………… teach their children to be honest.

Should expresses duty.

7. He …………………………. take rest if he is tired.

We can use can to express permission.

8. You ………………………….. have told me before borrowing my car.

The expression should have is used to criticize people for not doing things.

9. The students asked if they ………………………. go home early.

10. I ………………………… run faster when I was younger.

Could indicates past ability.

11. You …………………………. not light a match. Gas is leaking.

Must indicates prohibition.

12. I …………………………. smoke before I fell ill.

We use used to to talk about past habits.

Answers

1. Would you mind posting this letter for me?

2. Will you lend me your bicycle?

3. You shall not come to my door again.

4. You shall regret this.

5. What shall we do now?

6. Parents should teach their children to be honest.

7. He can take rest if he is tired.

8. You should have told me before borrowing my car.

9. The students asked if they could go home early.

10. I could run faster when I was younger.

11. You must not light a match. Gas is leaking.

12. I used to smoke before I fell ill.