Modal verbs

Can

Exercise 7.

1.I can confirm that that this information is trustworthy.2.Can't he understand that he is being deceived?3.He was walking so quickly that we couldn't catch up with him.4.Could you help me make out what is written here?6.Can (could) you have failed to notice him at the theatre yesterday?7.She can't (couldn't) have lied to us again!8.Poirot is confident he could have committed this crime without accomplices.9.If only she could understand his feelings.10.They managed to put out the fire very quickly, nobody was injured.11.Can (could) you have been asked this question?12.I'm afraid I will never be able to give up smoking.13.Last year he managed to give up smoking.14.They were speaking so softly that he couldn't hear anything.15.Did he manage to make you change your mind?16.Where can I have put this dictionary? Can (could) I have lost it?17.You could read about this incident in all yesterday's papers.18.Could you draw my portrait?19.Once she was able (used to be able) to sing very beautifully.20.Could you give me your pen for a moment?21.We can have a good dinner at this café.22.When a child Mozard was already able to compose wonderful music.23.How did he manage to compose this wonderful symphony within such a short period of time?

Exercise 8.

1.He couldn't continue his work, because he felt quite unwell.2.You can't (couldn't) have failed to interfere in this argument.3.I can't give you a definite answer because I don't know all the circumstances of this affair.4.Where can he have hidden the money?5.I couldn't (was not able to) understand them, they were speaking German.6.No one can deny that he is a very decent person.7.I couldn't (was not able to) convince her that she was not right.8.Can (could) she still be speaking over the phone?9.At that time I couldn't have afforded to spend time and money on such entertainment.10.Before losing consciousness he was able (managed) to describe the man who had attacked him.11.Couldn't you tell some of your friends about suspicions?12.He can't (couldn't) believe this cock-and-bull stories!13.No one in the whole world could be more kind and considerate than he is!14.He was a fine swimmer and, of course, he could cross the English Channel.15.He was a fine swimmer, that is why he was able (managed) to cross the English Channel.

May

Exercise 13.

1.They may (might) still be awaiting an answer from us.2.She may (might) not have woken up yet, that's why she doesn't take the receiver.3.You might have phoned and warned us that you wouldn't come!4.He may (might) not have done it for fear of being punished.5.You may bring the article tomorrow.6.He just may (might) not have noticed you.7.The suit-case is heavy. May I help you carry it?8.You may not touch my things without permission!9.He may (might) not understand (have understood) you.10.We may (might) get the information tomorrow.11.He may (might) have heard about it already.12.You may phone me any time you like.13.They may (might) return soon (have returned).14.Why did you hurry? You might have fallen down.15.We may (might) not see each other again.16.I may as well wait a bit more.17.They may (might) have long been at home.18.May (might) I turn down the radio a little?19.He may (might) have failed on the exam again.20.Don't worry, he'll soon recover; everything might have been worse!21."I promise to help you tomorrow." "You may just as well not help me at all!"

Revision exercises on can and may

Exercise 17.

1.We met before but you may (might) have forgotten it.2.We can't (couldn't) have met before. I am sure that I see you for the first time.3.Where can we meet?4.Can (could) you have never met before?5.She can't (couldn't) have deceived us.6.She may (might) have deceived us.7.She may (might) not have deceived us.8.She may (might) deceive us.9.Can (could) she be deceiving us?10.Can (may) I bring the article tomorrow?11.You can't ignore this matter.12."She has run off with Hithcliff!" "It can't be!" 13.I couldn't but go to the meeting.14.We may get an answer to this question soon.15.He couldn't answer even this simple question.16.Can (could) he have failed to answer even this question?17."Mother, can I take another candy?" "You can't eat too much sweet." 18.We may as well go to the cinema.19.He might have left her more money before he went away. Now she has nothing to live on.20.She can't (couldn't) have been a beauty even in youth.21.You may (might) meet real friends there.

Must

Exercise 22.

1.He translated the text quickly and without mistakes. He must know English well.2.You must copy out and learn all new words, otherwise your English won't improve.3.I must just have failed to notice you. There were so many people there.4.She must be fond of her child!5.You mustn't tell anybody about it, even your closest friends.6.The weather is sure to improve tomorrow.7.They must have been informed of that.8.They must have been told nothing yet.9.She must have noticed this mistake.10.She must have failed to notice you leave.11.You must come to our house-warming party.12.You must finish reading the book quickly and return it to the library.13.It must have stopped raining.14.It must have been raining hard at the time.15.Probably, it will rain soon.16.It must have taken you a lot of time to find the house.17.He must have taken no notice of it.18.He hasn't been seen anywhere for a week. He must have fallen ill.

Exercise 23.

1.You must phone her again.2.He must have phoned her but failed to get through.3.He is sure to phone her again.4.You mustn't think that you are always right.5.You must see this performance.6.We mustn't interfere in their arguments.7.You must apologize to her at once.8.He felt that sooner or later she must learn the truth.9.You must have met earlier.10.They stopped talking as soon as I entered. They must have been talking about me.11.The details of the crime are sure to be known soon.12.You friend must have given this remark.13.You mustn't wait a moment longer!14.This sensational news, evidently, hasn't reached them yet.15.You must bid him farewell.16.Don't walk the dog without a muzzle.17.The fascists must have encountered the fierce resistance of the partisans.18.Now he must be far from willing to amuse himself.

Date: 2015-04-20; view: 1188