practical grammar year I practice sheet 2 MODALS I
summer term
I. Replace the words in italics with a clause using may, might, or could. Note that all the sentences refer to present or future possibility.
Perhaps you will find you have made a mistake.
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It is just conceivable that we shall get an answer tomorrow.
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Accept his offer now. It's just possible that he will change his mind later.
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Owing to the strike, trains will possibly be subject to delays.
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It is possible that parents will find that they cannot understand the way their children are now being taught.
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We shall possibly find we can't get accommodation, as we haven't booked rooms.
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Ask your bank manager. He will perhaps be able to advise you better than I can.
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Let's not wait any longer. It's possible that he won't turn up at all.
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9. It is not impossible that the Government's policy will prove to be little short of disastrous.
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It is quite possible that getting the two sides to agree will not be as easy as some people imagine.
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Concessive may
May is often used in clauses with a concessive meaning :
Your job may be very demanding, but at least it isn't boring.
=Although (I am prepared to admit that) your job is very demanding, at least it isn't boring.
May + perfect infinitive is used for referring to past time:
The work may have been difficult, but at least it was interesting.
Rewrite the sentences, using may as in the examples above.
Although the restaurant is expensive, the cuisine is excellent.
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Although the method is crude, it's certainly effective.
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Although he is badly paid, his work is very rewarding.
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Although the book is long, you could hardly call it boring.
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Although he is old, he isn't by any means senile.
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Although the climb was exhausting, the view from the top made it well worth while.
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Although I was rude to him, I feel he had given me every justification.
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Although he acted unwisely, he was at least trying to do something constructive.
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Although his work has improved, it still isn't good enough.
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Although old-age pensions have risen considerably, they haven't kept pace with the cost of living.
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might in requests and suggestions
Might is sometimes used as a tentative way of making a request, suggestion or recommendation :
You might send me a postcard while you're on holiday.
In some contexts, might suggests sarcasm or annoyance on the part of the speaker:
You might look where you're going!
You might have told me you weren't coming!
Rewrite the sentences, using might as in the above examples.
Perhaps you would let me know tomorrow. .........................................................................................................................
I wish he would be a little more tactful! .............................................................................................................................
I think perhaps you should ask him if it is convenient before you call on him. .................................................................
Perhaps you would post this letter for me while you're out shopping. ................................................................................
I'm annoyed that you didn't warn me that the car was nearly out petrol. ...........................................................................
I think you should at least have apologized for what you said. .........................................................................................
I'm irritated that he didn't try to look at the problem from my point of view. ..................................................................
I'm annoyed that she doesn't keep her room reasonably tidy. ...........................................................................................
IV. Rewrite the sentences, incorporating a clause introduced by that, following the verbs suggested in brackets, e.g.
I wanted him to take legal advice. (suggest)
I suggested that he should take legal advice.
Factory inspectors wanted new safety rules to be introduced. (recommend)
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The judge wanted the court to adjourn for lunch. (order)
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The Speaker wanted the MP to withdraw his remark. (rule)
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The Colonel wanted his troops to attack at dawn. (decide)
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The leader of the expedition wanted them to make a further attempt to reach the summit while the weather held. (propose)
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Teachers wanted more nursery schools to be set up. (advocate)
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The magistrate wanted the man to be released. (direct)
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The police wanted members of the public not to approach the two men but to report to the nearest police station. (give instructions) .............................................................................................................................................................................
V. Re-word the following sentences using 'can', 'may 'or' must' in them:
I don't think he did it all by himself. ....................................................................................................................................
Perhaps you're right. .........................................................................................................................................................
It is possible that they forgot it in the car. .........................................................................................................................
Is it really true? ...............................................................................................................................................................
I don't believe he has been meaning to do it. ...................................................................................................................
It is impossible that he should have refused your request. ............................................................................................
Evidently he has not read the book. ................................................................................................................................
I wonder where it is that you met him. ..........................................................................................................................
I'm certain that he has heard the gong. .......................................................................................................................
It was some special occasion, I'm sure. .......................................................................................................................
He looks wet and muddy. I'm sure he has been fishing. ..............................................................................................
No doubt, she is out shopping. .......................................................................................................................................
I wonder what it is that you have brought in that box. .......................................................................................................
It's possible that he doesn't know we are here. ................................................................................................................
Is it possible that he is giving a course on the Renaissance at the University? ..................................................................
It is possible that the news is being broadcast on all the channels. ...................................................................................
I'm certain they didn't take notes of the meeting. .............................................................................................................
Is it possible that we are out of wrapping paper? ............................................................................................................
It is possible he will again forget to rule a margin down the left side. ...............................................................................
"I don't now see him driving his car. Is it possible that something has happened?" "Evidently his car is undergoing repairs." ...............................................................................................................................................................................
It is just impossible for you to get this thing done so soon. ...............................................................................................
I wonder what it is that he is doing in there. ................................................................................................................
Then the firing began again. This time it was impossible for it to be more than a mile away. ......................................................................................................................................................................................
Let's give her a call again. It is possible that she was asleep and didn't hear the telephone. .....................................................................................................................................................................................
You have used up all the motley I gave you, I suppose. ..........................................................................................................