Past Modals Exercise-1

Exercise 1

Fill in the blank spaces with the appropriate past modal forms. Use only contractions for negative forms. Be careful of unnecessary spacing.


1. I    (buy) bread but I didn't know we needed it. (past possibility)

2. We (invite) so many people to our party! I'm worried that we won't have enough room for everyone. (past negative
    advice / regret)

3. I (start) saving money years ago! (past advice / regret)

4. We (join) you at the restaurant, but we couldn't get a babysitter. (past willingness should have + past participle)

5. The weather (be) any worse! (past negative possibility)

6. I (arrive) on time, even if I'd left earlier. There were dreadful traffic jams all the way. (past negative possibility)

7. They (win) the football match, but John hurt his ankle. (past possibility)

8. Amanda (finish) the work, but she felt ill and had to go home. (past willingness)

9. Lucy (leave) earlier. She missed her flight. (past advice / regret)

10. We    (finish) the game, even if we'd wanted to. It was raining very hard and we had to stop. (past negative possibility)