The table was heavy [EGAD]

The table was heavy

Quiz

Decide first which one of the three suggestions can complete each sentence. Select it. Then select the kind of modality expressed in each sentence.

1. In the end, I _____ move the table myself, but it was heavy and I really would have appreciated your help.

Expected answer

was able to
could
can
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

2. He's always struck me as highly incompetent, but he _____ something right: he's just been promoted.

Expected answer

has to do
had to do
has to have been doing
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

3. Why didn't Elisabeth come out with us for drinks last night? – I don't know. She _____. She often stays late at the office on Wednesday nights.

Expected answer

may have worked
may have been working
may work
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

4. You've really outdone yourself this time. How _____ drop your laptop into the kitchen sink?

Expected answer

did you manage to
may you
might you
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

5. They're 50,000 £ over budget. They're six months behind schedule. Municipal elections are in two weeks. _____ I say more? Things aren't looking good for the current majority.

Expected answer

Need
Would
Will
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

6. I'm not going to repeat the instructions again. I've given them to you twice now. You _____ listening the first two times.

Expected answer

should have been
must have been
may have been
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

7. You _____ kidding. The boss expects us to finish the project by the end of the week? That's just not going to happen!

Expected answer

should have been
could be
have got to be
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Quiz

8. Jenni Smith from the aquarium, said [of the lobster]: ‘He's a fantastic specimen and by his size alone he _____ be at least 50 years old.' (www.bbc.com/news)

Expected answer

has got to
can
might
epistemic necessity
epistemic possibility
non-epistemic necessity
non-epistemic possibility > permission
non-epistemic possibility > ability
non-epistemic possibility > mere possibility

Correction Restart

Introduction
Question formation
Constituents
Identifying forms and functions.
Identifying functions.
Identify Forms
Complementation
Interrogative clauses
Interrogative clauses - question tags
Lexical verbs and auxiliary verbs
Passive
Review
Auxiliary verbs
Ellipsis
Phrasal verbs
Identifying future time reference
Identifying modal meanings
Identifying past time reference with modals
Identifying situation types
Negation with modal verbs
Perfect tenses
Present tense
Tense and aspect overview
The function of progressive aspect
Time reference of modal verbs
Using modals
Using necessity modals
Using possibility modals
Using tenses
Will and shall

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