Modals Flashcards
Complete the sentences with “if I” + the present tense or the “-ing” for of the verb.
I want you to write a letter for me.
Would you mind _________________?
I want you to write a letter for me.
Would you mind writing a letter for me?
Complete the sentences with “if I” + the present tense or the “-ing” for of the verb.
We want to join you for lunch.
Would you mind _________________?
We want to join you for lunch
Would you mind if we joined you for lunch?
Complete the sentences with “if I” + the present tense or the “-ing” for of the verb.
I want to open the window.
Would you mind _________________?
I want to open the window.
Would you mind if I opened the window?
Complete the sentences with “if I” + the present tense or the “-ing” for of the verb.
I want you to open the window.
Would you mind _________________?
I want you to open the window.
Would you mind opening the window?
Select the best answer.
Ann would like to make some new friends. She ____________ join different organizations to meet new people.
A. ought
B. must
C. should
D. had better to
C. should
Ann would like to make some new friends. She should join different organizations to meet new people.
Select the best answer.
Charlie plays his music too loud, and his roommate can’t sleep. Charlie __________ turn his music down.
A. should to
B. ought to
C. must to
D. may
ought to
Charlie plays his music too loud, and his roommate can’t sleep. Charlie ought to turn his music down.
Past form of “should.” Fill in the blank.
I ordered fish at the restaurant, but it didn’t taste fresh. I ________________ (order) something else.
I ordered fish at the restaurant, but it didn’t taste fresh. I should have ordered something else.
NOTE: The Past form of “should” is “should have” + past participle.
Past form of “should.” Fill in the blank.
I had four margaritas. I ____________________ so much.
I had four margaritas. I shouldn’t have drunk so much.
Past form of “should.” Fill in the blank.
The building fell down when the strong winds came. It __________________ with stronger materials.
The building fell down when the strong winds came. It should have been built with stronger materials.
Obligation: Supposed to
Fill in the blank using a form of “be supposed to” + verb.
Allen is expected to arrive at 7:00.
Allen ______________ arrive at 7:00.
Allen is expected to arrive at 7:00.
Allen is supposed to arrive at 7:00.
Obligation: Supposed to
Fill in the blank using a form of “be supposed to” + verb.
Our dog _____________ eat his food, but he didn’t.
Our dog was supposed to eat his food, but he didn’t.
Obligation: Supposed to
Fill in the blank using a form of “be supposed to” + verb.
We _______________________ the party tonight.
We are supposed to go to the party tonight.
Unfulfilled Intentions: was/were going to
Fill in the blanks.
We _________ visit our cousins on Saturday, but we didn’t.
We were going to visit our cousins on Saturday, but we didn’t.
NOTE: While “am/is/are going to” talks about intentions for the future, “was/were going to” talks about past intentions that didn’t happen.
Unfulfilled Intentions: was/were going to
Fill in the blanks.
I _________________ (plan) on going with you, but I changed my mind.
I was planning on going with you, but I changed my mind.
NOTE: Past progressive can also be used in this situation.
Unfulfilled Intentions: was/were going to
Fill in the blanks.
We ____________ (hope) to go to the park, but it just didn’t happen.
We had hoped to go to the park, but it just didn’t happen.
NOTE: Past perfect can also be used in this situation.
Unfulfilled Intentions: was/were going to
Fill in the blanks.
I _______________ (hope) to get some studying done, but I had to work.
I was hoping to get some studying done, but I had to work.
OR
I had hoped to get some studying done, but I had to work.
Unfulfilled Intentions: was/were going to
Fill in the blanks.
I was going to tell you the bad news, but
___________________________(upset) you.
I was going to tell you the bad news, but I didn’t want to upset you.
Degrees of Certainty: must and may/might/could
Fill in the blank.
A: Drive slowly! This is a school zone and children are crossing the street.
B. It _________ be 3:00. That’s when school gets out.
A: Drive slowly! This is a school zone and children are crossing the street.
B. It must be 3:00. That’s when school gets out.
Degrees of Certainty: must and may/might/could
Fill in the blank.
Where is Ed? Is he still in Africa?
He __________ be in Africa, or he _____________ home already. I’m not sure.
Where is Ed? Is he still in Africa?
He may/might be in Africa, or he may/might home already. I’m not sure.
Degrees of Certainty: must and may/might/could
Fill in the blank.
I’ve lost track of my friend from high school. Maybe she moved away. Maybe she got married and has a last name.
She ____________ moved away.
I’ve lost track of my friend from high school. Maybe she moved away. Maybe she got married and has a last name.
She could have/may have/might have moved away.
Degrees of Certainty: must and may/might/could
Fill in the blank.
I told Charles, and only Charles, my big secret. Now, everyone knows it. It’s clear that Charles can’t keep a secret.
Charles _______________ told everyone.
I told Charles, and only Charles, my big secret. Now, everyone knows it. It’s clear that Charles can’t keep a secret.
Charles must have told everyone.
Repeated Action in the Past
Fill in the blank with “would” plus a verb.
I always remember my History teacher. Sometimes a student _________________ (fall) asleep in class, and the teacher ____________ (throw) an eraser at the student.
I always remember my History teacher. Sometimes a student would fall asleep in class, and the teacher would throw an eraser at the student.
NOTE: When “would is used to express an action that happened regularly in the past, it was the same meaning as “used to.”
Repeated Action in the Past
Fill in the blank with “would” plus a verb.
When I was a child, I _______________ (hide) in the closet when my aunt came to visit.
When I was a child, I would hide in the closet when my aunt came to visit.
Repeated Action in the Past
Fill in the blank with “would” or “used to” plus a verb.
I _____________ (live) in San Francisco.
I used to live in San Francisco.
NOTE: If there’s a statement that is in the past, but is not repeated regularly, the modal “would” is not used. Instead, use “used to.”
Repeated Action in the Past
Fill in the blank with “would” or “used to” plus a verb.
The smell from the basement is bad, but it __________________ worse.
The smell from the basement is bad, but it used to be worse.
Repeated Action in the Past
Fill in the blank with “would” or “used to” plus a verb.
As a child, I _______________ eat ice cream on my birthday.
As a child, I used to eat ice cream on my birthday.
OR
As a child, I would eat ice cream on my birthday.
Expressing Preference: would rather
Fill in the blank.
I __________________ (go) fishing than ice skating.
I would rather go fishing than ice skating.
NOTE: the word “go” is understood in the second part of the sentence; “I would rather go fishing than go ice skating.” It can be included or left out of the sentence.
Expressing Preference: would rather
Fill in the blank.
I know you want to know Chris’ secret, but ____________________ (say) anything.
I know you want to know Chris’ secret, but I’d rather not anything.
OR
…I would rather not say anything.
Expressing Preference: would rather
Fill in the blank.
I ____________________ (have) pizza than hamburgers.
I would rather have pizza than hamburgers.
Expressing Preference: would rather
Fill in the blank.
__________________ go to Paris or to London?
Would you rather go to Paris or to London?
