What does each modal verb express in the following:
1. That must be Ivana’s new car.
A. certainty B. suggestion C. ability
2. Lloyd usually leaves work at 5. He might be home now.
A. possibility B. ability C. certainty
3. I forgot to lock the gate. Mom must be angry.
A. certainty B. possibility C. impossibility
4. She can’t cook Italian dishes.
A. certainty B. ability C. possibility
5. She could have learned how to swim, but she didn’t want to try.
A. certainty B. ability C. possibility
6. Can I open the front door?
A. certainty B. ability C. possibility
7. May I borrow your tablet?
A. permission B. ability C. possibility
8. You may take it now.
A. permission B. ability C. possibility
9. Would you like some drink?
A. permission B. ability C. invitation
10. You should check your e-mails regularly.
A. permission B. obligation C. suggestion
11. We could watch movie this weekend.
A. permission B. obligation C. suggestion
12. Can I teach you some tricks?
A. offer B. request C. invitation
13. Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow?
A. suggestion B. request C. invitation
14. She can’t be Lyn’s mother. She’s too young.
A. probability B. ability C. suggestion
15. The clouds are dark. It might rain today.
A. certainty B. possibility C. ability
Answers & Comments
What does each modal verb express in the following:
1. That must be Ivana’s new car.
A. certainty B. suggestion C. ability
2. Lloyd usually leaves work at 5. He might be home now.
A. possibility B. ability C. certainty
3. I forgot to lock the gate. Mom must be angry.
A. certainty B. possibility C. impossibility
4. She can’t cook Italian dishes.
A. certainty B. ability C. possibility
5. She could have learned how to swim, but she didn’t want to try.
A. certainty B. ability C. possibility
6. Can I open the front door?
A. certainty B. ability C. possibility
7. May I borrow your tablet?
A. permission B. ability C. possibility
8. You may take it now.
A. permission B. ability C. possibility
9. Would you like some drink?
A. permission B. ability C. invitation
10. You should check your e-mails regularly.
A. permission B. obligation C. suggestion
11. We could watch movie this weekend.
A. permission B. obligation C. suggestion
12. Can I teach you some tricks?
A. offer B. request C. invitation
13. Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow?
A. suggestion B. request C. invitation
14. She can’t be Lyn’s mother. She’s too young.
A. probability B. ability C. suggestion
15. The clouds are dark. It might rain today.
A. certainty B. possibility C. ability