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Choose the correct modal verb from the options given within brackets for
cach of the following sentences.
1. They tried three times to contact us, but said they (wouldn't/couldn't/
won't)
2. If you start so late, I'm certain you couldn't/won't/might not) reach the
airport in time to catch the flight.
3. Since you've had the headache for five days now, you (should/would/
can) consult a doctor.
4. She (can/might/must) not be able to find the address if you send
her alone.
5. He did not take your name; you (must/will/ought to) have
misheard him.
6. Children (may/can/ought to) pay more attention to their teachers.
7. You (can/would/should) have finished this work yesterday itself; now
there is very little time. .
8. Let's go somewhere else; we (won't/may not/wouldn't) step on the
grass here.
9. Please slow down; I (won't/may not/can't)
walk so fast.
10. Excuse me. (Should/May/Could) you tell me
the way to the museum?
11. When Father is angry, none of us brothers
(will/dare/could) speak to him.
12. Please accept my apologies that I (couldn't/
wouldn't/shouldn't) come to your dinner
party yesterday
Answers
Answer:
Modals express the mode of action. The most common modals are: may, might, can, could, shall, should, will, would, must, dare, need, have and used to.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MODALS
Modals are never used alone. A Principal verb is either present or implied; as—
I can sing. He will help you.
Modals do not change according to the number or person of the subject; as—
I can. We can. You can. We can. They can. etc.
I may. We may. You may. He may. They may. etc.
Modals have no Infinitive, Present Participle or Past Participle forms.
Modals cannot be used in all the tenses. When a modal does not fall in this pattern, it works as a Principal Verb; as—
God willed so.
He needs a pen.
She dared to go into the dark forest.
(Here will, need, and dare are used as main verbs)
Relationship of Modals with Tenses
(i) May, can, shall, and will are in present forms while might, could, should, and would are their past forms.
The two forms express different meanings, but usually, no difference of time, e.g. the difference between may and might is often that of the degree of probability, as—
She may come today. (possibility / likely to happen)
She might come today. (remote possibility/less likely)
(ii) However, if the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, the forms might, could, should and would serve as regular past tenses; as—
He said, “I can help you.”
He said that he could help her.
You said, “She will come back soon.”
You said that she would come back soon.
Sheetal said, “May I use this pen, madam?”
Sheetal asked her teacher if she might use that pen.
(iii) When we want to express the past time in verb phrases involving modals, we use the Present Perfect Tense of the Principal Verb; as
She must have reached home by now.
You ought to have told me all the facts.
wouldn't is modal verb