English Grammar Exercises

Modal Verbs Exercises

Exercise 1: Rewrite the sentences using modal verbs.

1. It's forbidden to drive without fastening your seatbelt. You mustn't drive without fastening your seatbelt.
2. Perhaps they told John about the party. They might have told John about the party.
3. It isn't necessary for us to book a table. We needn't book a table.
4. It isn't necessary for her to phone me back. She needn't phone me back.
5. It was a mistake to sell the house. I wish I hadn't. I shouldn't have sold the house.
6. I'm sure he didn't lock the door. He couldn't have locked the door.
7. Perhaps John knew about the trip. He could have known about the trip.
8. You cannot smoke in the underground. You mustn't smoke in the underground.
9. I'm sure Ann didn't send that letter. Ann couldn't have sent that letter.
10. I don't think Ann robbed the money. It's impossible. Ann couldn't have robbed the money.
11. It's a good idea to make small talk at conventions. You should make small talk at conventions.
12. You are not allowed to enter that area. You mustn't enter that area.
13. It isn't necessary to find new vendors now. You don't have to find new vendors now.
14. Perhaps I'll assign this project to Helen. I may assign this project to Helen.
15. Always speak politely to the customers. You must always speak politely to the customers.
16. I am certain that he buried something in the garden. He must have buried something in the garden.
17. It's possible that the weather will be sunny tomorrow. The weather could be sunny tomorrow.
18. James definitely isn't eighteen yet! James can't be eighteen yet.
19. I am thinking about taking Spanish lessons. I might take Spanish lessons.

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences with indefinite pronouns.

1. Does anyone want to go to the cinema?
2. The story was in Japanese! I didn't understand anything.
3. I'm very sad because nobody remembered my birthday.
4. You have something on your shoulder; I think it's a piece of paper.
5. My mom told me we can go somewhere I want this weekend. I will choose the place.
6. This is a total mess! Nothing is in the correct place. All the toys are on the floor.
7. I live in a small town and it is very boring; there's nowhere to go.
8. Someone took my pencil from my desk and I don't know who. Do you know?
9. I don't want to stay at home today; I would like to go somewhere special.
10. That box is empty. There is nothing inside.
11. I would like something to eat; I'm very hungry.
12. My best friend lives somewhere near the stadium.
13. There is somebody at the door. Who can it be?
14. I want to go somewhere nice at the weekend.
15. Has anyone called me?
16. He has nowhere to go. Can he stay with us?
17. I went shopping but I didn't buy anything.
18. I knocked at the door but nobody answered.
19. Did anyone come while I was out?
20. Are you doing anything tonight?
21. Everyone was at the party last night.
22. I need someone to help me with these bags.

Indefinite Pronoun Chart

• + = somebody (alguien) / something (algo) / somewhere (en algún lugar)
• - ? = anybody (nadie) / anything (cualquier cosa) / anywhere (en ningún lugar)
• + - = nobody (nadie) / nothing (nada) / nowhere (en ningún lugar)
• + - ? = everyone (todos) / everything (todo) / everywhere (en todos lados)

Modal Verbs

can, should, could, may, must, have to, ought to (deben moralmente), need to (no tienes que, no es necesario)

• it's necessary = have to
• it's not necessary = needn't
• it's possible = could
• it's a good idea = should