Exercises C1 : use Modalization in English (answers)

These exercises are designed to consolidate your command of modalization in English, as covered in the course. You will practise expressing nuance, degrees of certainty, and obligation using both modal verbs and their periphrastic equivalents.

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Exercice 1 — Fill in the Modal

Complete each sentence with the most appropriate modal verb or periphrastic form to express the nuance indicated in brackets. Write the full corrected sentence as your answer.

1. She ___ (must / be able to) speak five languages fluently — I heard her switch between them effortlessly. [near certainty based on evidence]
2. You ___ (should / had better) submit the report before noon, otherwise the board will not review it today. [strong advice with implied consequence]
3. The negotiations ___ (may / ought to) have concluded by now, but no official statement has been released. [weak possibility regarding a past event]
4. Candidates ___ (must / are required to) provide two forms of identification upon arrival at the examination centre. [formal external obligation]

Correction

1. She must be able to speak five languages fluently — I heard her switch between them effortlessly.
2. You had better submit the report before noon, otherwise the board will not review it today.
3. The negotiations may have concluded by now, but no official statement has been released.
4. Candidates are required to provide two forms of identification upon arrival at the examination centre.

Exercice 2 — Spot and Correct the Modal Error

Each sentence contains one error related to modalization. Identify the error and rewrite the full sentence correctly.

1. He might not have been told about the change in schedule, but he should has checked his emails regardless.
2. The committee must to approve any amendments before they can be implemented.
3. Given the overwhelming evidence, the defendant can have committed the offence on that date.
4. You needn't to have worried so much — everything went smoothly in the end.

Correction

1. He might not have been told about the change in schedule, but he should have checked his emails regardless.
2. The committee must approve any amendments before they can be implemented.
3. Given the overwhelming evidence, the defendant must have committed the offence on that date.
4. You needn't have worried so much — everything went smoothly in the end.

Exercice 3 — Choose the Right Modal Nuance

Choose the option that best completes the sentence while conveying the precise nuance described in brackets. All four options are grammatically plausible; select the most appropriate one.

1. The server ___ crashed overnight — all of yesterday's data has been lost. [logical deduction, high certainty]
2. Passengers ___ smoke anywhere on the premises, including the outdoor terrace. [absolute prohibition]
3. She ___ have been more tactful when addressing the client's concerns — it was quite a delicate situation. [criticism of a past action]
4. By the time the project launches, the team ___ be working on it for nearly two years. [future perfect modalized action in progress]

Correction

1. The server must have crashed overnight — all of yesterday's data has been lost.
2. Passengers mustn't smoke anywhere on the premises, including the outdoor terrace.
3. She could have been more tactful when addressing the client's concerns — it was quite a delicate situation.
4. By the time the project launches, the team will have been working on it for nearly two years.