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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Pick the Perfect Modal Verb for Each Sentence

Ready to practice modal verbs? Take this quick quiz and boost your skills!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz on sky blue background with floating may can must should blocks and pencils for modal verbs quiz

Ready to elevate your English skills? Our free modal verbs quiz is here to challenge you with a dynamic modal verb test! Whether you're brushing up on must, might, or should, this engaging ultimate modals test will challenge your use of each one. Dive into targeted modal verb exercises and discover how well you can apply each modal in real sentences. Check out extra drills with modal verbs practice , then jump straight into this English modal verbs quiz right now. Perfect for students, professionals, and teachers seeking a fun way to practice modal verbs. Let's get started - test yourself and master those nuances today!

I ____ ride a horse when I was younger.
can
could
must
may
The correct answer is 'could' because it expresses past ability. Modal verb 'could' is the past tense of 'can' and is used to talk about ability in the past. Options like 'can' and 'may' are present tense or permission modals and 'must' shows necessity, which does not fit the meaning about past ability. Learn more about can and could here.
You ____ finish your homework before going out.
may
should
can
must
The correct answer is 'must' because it indicates a strong obligation or necessity. In this context, it's mandatory to finish homework before leisure activities. 'Should' suggests advice but is weaker, 'may' implies permission which doesn't apply, and 'can' denotes ability. See differences between must and should.
I ____ speak three languages fluently.
may
could
must
can
The correct answer is 'can' because it expresses present ability. 'Can' is used to talk about skills or abilities. 'Could' is the past tense and 'must' indicates necessity, while 'may' expresses permission or possibility. Learn about ability modals here.
____ I use your phone for a moment?
Will
Should
Must
May
'May' is the most polite and formal way to ask for permission. While 'can' is commonly used in speech for permission, 'may' is more correct in formal English. 'Must' indicates obligation, 'should' advice, and 'will' futurity. Read more on modals of permission.
You ____ be tired after your long journey.
might
will
should
can
The correct answer is 'might' because it expresses a possibility regarding the person's state. 'Might' suggests a probable but not certain condition. 'Can' indicates ability, 'should' advice, and 'will' a definite future statement. Find out more about may and might.
She ____ have left early because she didn't say goodbye.
must
could
might
should
Here, 'must have' expresses a logical deduction about a past event. Because she did not say goodbye, it is logical to conclude that she left early. 'Could have' and 'might have' also talk about past possibilities but are weaker deductions, and 'should have' indicates regret rather than deduction. Learn more about must have for deductions.
You ____ not smoke in here; it's a non-smoking area.
should
don't have to
must not
can't
'Must not' expresses prohibition, which fits a non-smoking rule. 'Can't' also can express prohibition but 'must not' is stronger in written rules. 'Don't have to' expresses lack of obligation, and 'should' suggests advice, neither of which prohibit smoking. See modal must for prohibition.
She said we ____ start without her if she was late.
should
might
could
must
'Could' here gives permission to start without her. In reported speech, 'could' often follows 'can' for permission. 'Might' expresses a possibility, 'should' gives advice, and 'must' indicates necessity, none of which fit the context. Read about modals of permission.
I ____ better call them to confirm the reservation.
had better
could
must
should
'Had better' expresses a strong recommendation for action to avoid negative consequences. It is stronger than 'should' and is the correct choice for urgent advice here. 'Must' indicates obligation, and 'could' ability or possibility. See usage of had better.
By this time next year, he ____ have completed his degree.
will have
could have
might have
will
'Will have completed' is the future perfect tense, used to express that an action will be finished by a specific future time. 'Might have' and 'could have' indicate past possibility, and simple 'will' lacks the perfect aspect. Learn about future perfect tense.
She ____ have been working here for years; she seems very experienced.
should
could
might
must
'Must have been working' expresses a strong deduction about a continuous past state. It indicates the speaker is almost certain based on evidence. 'Should' could express expectation, 'might' and 'could' are weaker possibilities. See must have for deduction.
He ____ be serious.
shouldn't
can't
mustn't
mightn't
Here, 'can't' expresses a strong belief that something is impossible or not true, indicating doubt. 'Mustn't' indicates prohibition, 'mightn't' is very rarely used, and 'shouldn't' suggests advice, none of which fit the context. Read about can't for deduction.
You ____ have told him the secret; now everyone knows.
mustn't
shouldn't have
needn't have
couldn't
'Shouldn't have told' expresses criticism about a past action that was unwise. 'Mustn't' indicates present prohibition, 'couldn't' past inability, and 'needn't have' means the action was unnecessary but does not convey regret. Learn about should have and shouldn't have.
They ____ have completed the project by now, but they didn't.
could have
should have
should
might have
'Should have completed' expresses an expectation that was not met in the past. 'Could have' indicates possibility, 'might have' speculation, and simple 'should' refers to present advice, none of which express past unfulfilled expectation. See should have for past expectation.
By the time you get this message, I ____ have left the country.
might
could
will
will have
'Will have left' is future perfect tense, indicating an action completed before a specified future time. 'Might' and 'could' express possibility, and simple 'will' lacks the perfect aspect. Learn more about future perfect constructions.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Correct Modal Verbs -

    Recognize and select the appropriate modal verb for each sentence to convey necessity, permission, or ability with precision.

  2. Differentiate Modal Verb Functions -

    Distinguish among modals expressing obligation, possibility, and permission through targeted modal verb exercises.

  3. Apply Modals in Context -

    Use modal verbs accurately in varied scenarios by practicing with our engaging modal verbs quiz.

  4. Evaluate Your Modal Verb Proficiency -

    Assess your understanding and receive immediate feedback to pinpoint areas for improvement.

  5. Enhance Overall English Grammar -

    Leverage insights from the quiz to boost your confidence and accuracy in both writing and speaking.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Ability vs. Permission: Can vs. May -

    Use "can" to express physical or mental ability and "may" when requesting or granting permission (e.g., "I can swim" vs. "May I borrow your pen?"). A handy mnemonic is CAM: Capability (can) vs. Ask (may). Cambridge Dictionary emphasizes this distinction to prevent confusing ability with polite requests.

  2. Obligation and Necessity: Must vs. Have to -

    "Must" often reflects a speaker's strong personal obligation, while "have to" signals external requirements (e.g., "You must apologize" vs. "I have to submit by Friday"). Remember the rule "MUST = My rule," "HAVE TO = Higher authority." Oxford University Press notes this subtle difference to master modal verb exercises.

  3. Advice and Recommendation: Should vs. Ought to -

    Use "should" or "ought to" for giving advice; "ought to" sounds more formal (e.g., "You should rest" vs. "You ought to rest"). Think of OUGHT as the older, more "ought"-standing cousin of SHOULD. British Council materials recommend practicing both to ace modal verb tests.

  4. Possibility and Probability: May, Might, Could -

    Use "may" for moderate probability, "might" for lower chance, and "could" for theoretical possibility (e.g., "It may rain," "It might rain," "It could rain"). The 3Ms trick - May, Might, Mightbe - helps you rank likelihood. Research from Purdue OWL confirms these nuances boost accuracy in modal verb quizzes.

  5. Politeness in Requests: Could, Would, Might -

    Choose "could," "would," or "might" to soften requests (e.g., "Could you help me?" vs. "Would you mind closing the door?"). Using these modals adds courtesy and formality. University language centers stress that practicing polite modal verb exercises builds confidence in real-world conversations.

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