Correcting Grammar and Modal Verbs in English Sentences

1) I met Rachel two years ago - I have known Rachel for 2 years.

2) He sang for five minutes then they told him to stop - He had been singing for 5 minutes when they told him to stop.

3) I can't wait to meet you - I'm looking forward to meeting you.

4) The boy will be taller by the end of summer - The boy will have grown by the end.

5) Sue broke her arm during the hike - while she was looking.

6) This is his first acting role - He has never acted before.

7) I haven't heard from Charles in 2 weeks - The last time I heard from Charles was 2.

8) When did you start to work in the company? - How long have you been working here.

9) I got my driving license when I was 17 - I have had my driving license since I was 17.

10) I've eaten three pieces of cake. Now I feel ill - I shouldn't have eaten so many pieces of cake.

11) Kally didn't answer the phone last night - She might not have been paying attention to the mobile phone.

12) Sharon is quite wealthy. Why didn't she buy such a cheap car? - Sharon could have bought an expensive car.

13) The meat has disappeared and the dog looks quite happy! - The dog must have eaten the meat!

14) The floor was clean. Why did you work on it? - You didn't have to wash it!

15) I wrote this by hand because my printer isn't working - My printer must have broken down.

16) I'm certain that Fran is glad you're here - Fran must be glad you're here.

17) It's a good idea to bring a camera - You should bring a camera.

18) It wasn't necessary for you to try so hard - You needn't have tried so hard.

19) It was wrong of Paul to say that - Paul shouldn't have said that.

20) I'm sure that Carl gave me his address - Carl must have given me his address.

21) I expected him at 9:00. He finally arrived at 13:00 - By the time he arrived, I had been waiting for three hours.

22) I don't think she's in love with him - She can't be in love with him.

USING SHOULD OR HAD BETTER

1) There's a hurricane coming, we had better leave the city!

2) There's no lifeguard here. You had better not swim there.

3) A new family has moved next door, we should go.

4) My bus leaves at exactly 1:00. I had better run because the bus...

5) That color doesn't suit her. She should wear a different blue suit.

MODAL 1

1) I'm sure John locked the office before leaving. He always does. - John must have locked the office before leaving.

2) If I were you, I would tell him the truth. - You should tell him the truth.

3) It isn't necessary for her to phone me back. She needn't phone me back.

4) Ann finished the project on her own although it wasn't necessary to do so. - Ann needn't have finished the project on her own.

5) It was a mistake to sell the house. I wish I hadn't. - I shouldn't have sold the house.

6) Perhaps we'll go swimming tomorrow. - We may go swimming tomorrow.

7) I think Mary is probably at home because the windows are open. - Mary must be at home because the windows are open.

8) Perhaps John knew about the trip, but I'm not sure. - John might have known about the trip.

9) I'm sure he didn't lock the door. He never does. - He can't have locked the door.

10) Perhaps she was at work when the earthquake struck. - She may have been at work when the earthquake struck.

MODAL 2

1) Perhaps we'll rent our house in summer. - We may rent our house in summer.

2) It's absolutely necessary that we finish the article today. - We must finish the article today.

3) It wasn't necessary for him to behave like that. - He needn't have behaved like that.

4) You cannot smoke in the underground; it's forbidden. - You mustn't smoke in the underground.

5) It's quite possible that they went away last weekend. - They may have gone away last weekend.

6) I'm sure Ann didn't send that letter. - Ann can't have sent that letter.

7) It was a mistake not to accept his offer. I wish I had. - I should have accepted his offer.

8) It is essential that we talk before the meeting starts. - We must talk before the meeting starts.

9) I don't think Ann robbed the money. It's impossible. - Ann can't have robbed the money.

10) Why don't we go on a camping trip? - Shall we go on a camping trip?