Modal verbs expressing certainty, possibility & ability (B2) | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

English 25 Public

Can you decide which modal verb to use?

Study Slideshow

What modal do you use when you are certain something is true?

must

What modals do you use when you are certain something is not true?

can't / couldn't

What three modals can you use when you think something is possibly true?

may / might / could

What modal and form do you use when you are certain something is true in the past?

must + have + past participle

What modals and form do you use when you are certain something is not true in the past?

can't / couldn't + have + past participle

What modals and form can you use when you think something is possibly true in the past?

may / might / could + have + past participle

Eva _______________ up the parcel from the post office. (MAY)

Eva may have picked up the parcel from the post office.

Annabel _________________ in London the whole weekend. (HAVE)

Annabel can't / couldn't have been in London the whole weekend.

My brother __________________ out that I have borrowed his bike. (MAY)

My brother may have found out that I have borrowed his bike.

What modals do you use to express ability?

can / *be* able to

What modal do you use to express GENERAL ability in the past?

could

What modal do you use to express ability on a SPECIFIC occasion in the past?

was / were able to

We walked all day, and at five o'clock we (could / were able to) reach the top of the mountain.

were able to

I was so worried that I (couldn't sleep / couldn't have slept) and I lay awake all night.

couldn't sleep

When I was a small child, I (could / was able to) sing beautifully, but my voice isn't so good now.

could

I (could buy / could have bought) my tablet PC more cheaply online, but in fact I bought it from my local computer shop.

could have bought

Modal verbs expressing certainty, possibility & ...