Quick Modal Verbs Quiz for Advanced Students

Which of the following sentences uses "should" in a context of hypothetical /conditional possibility ?

You should try ice wine the next you're in Ontario.

Given he needs more money, he should work harder.

We should increase our profit by the end of the month.

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Which of the following modal verbs can NOT be used to complete the sentence below?

"How's the weather for today?"

" It looks cloudy outside right now, so it ________ rain later. I'm not really sure to be honest."



Which of the following modal verbs can NOT be used to complete the sentence below?

"I haven't seen Michael today at the office, where could he be?"

"I heard he's really sick! He _______ be at home then."

Rewrite the following sentence using a modal verb:

"Maybe he's lying to us."

Modal verbs are used frequently in spoken English in both formal and informal settings. Despite their utility, why are modal verbs a bit problematic in many formal writing contexts, such as newspaper articles, academic papers or scientific reports?

Modal verbs can enhance the emotional aspect of writing which does not belong in important or informative written contexts

Modal verbs can be used muddle or disturb meaning in formal writing, which makes information less clear or accountable

Modal verbs are hardly necessary to writing in general