Mighty Might – C1 Modal Verbs

This is a short lesson grammar worksheet looking at some expressions with modal verbs that students typically encounter at C1 level. It is loosely based on the grammar exercises in unit 1 of Ready for Advanced by Macmillan and could serve as an extension or revision exercise. It may also be accessible to high B2 students. Download the student handout and answer key below:

Mighty Might – Student Handout

Look at the sets of different expressions using might and other modal verbs. Match them with the different meanings they express in the box at the bottom.

Might/could at least

1. You might at least pick up your dirty clothes.
2. You could at least put your dirty dishes in the sink.
3. You might at least say hello when you get home instead of going straight to your bedroom.

Might/could #1

1. I’m going to the bar after football so I might be late home.
2. Don’t forget to bring an umbrella, it might rain.
3. Don’t drive so fast, you could have an accident.

Might/could #2

1. Let’s watch TV, there might be something good on.
2. Shhh! Be quiet, my parents might be asleep already.
3. It was really cold last night so the roads could be icy.

Might/may…. but

1. Ok, I admit that he might be really good at shooting but he never passes the ball, it’s so frustrating.
2. He may be really good-looking but he’s not very bright.
3. She might have all the money in the world but is she truly happy?

Might/may as well

1. All the good bands have finished playing so we might as well go home.
2. We’ve already missed the start of the film so we may as well do something else.
3. It’s too dark, you’re never going to find your lost keys, you might as well give up.

Might/could//may have + past participle #1

1. Woah! Be careful with that ladder, you might have taken my head off!
2. Slow down! You could have hit that old lady!
3. He might have got together with Julie at the party but he spent all night being sick in the toilet.

Might/could//may have + past participle #2

1. Where are they? I’m worried, they might have had an accident.
2. I can’t find my phone. I could have left it at work.
3. Someone has stolen one of the plants from the front porch. It might have been those boys from next door.

Past possibility           past possibility that didn’t happen            future possibility            annoyance              Concession (ok, you’re right)           suggestion without enthusiasm            present possibility

Complete the sentence

1. Boss: Your office is a mess and it stinks you might at least ___________________.
2. Let’s see what’s on at the cinema there might____________________.
3. The weather forecast says that it might_____________________.
4. We’ve missed the last train home so we might as well___________________.
5. Ok, she might be a good singer but________________.
6. Where’s the cat? She might have__________________________.
7. Luckily, I escaped the crash with just cuts and bruises, I might have___________________.

Key Word Transformations

1. There’s no point staying any longer, let’s go home.

MIGHT

We _______________________ go home.

2. I always have to tidy up your mess, some help would be nice.

MIGHT

I always have to tidy up your mess, _____________________ me.

3. You’re right there are some interesting characters in the book but it’s just so monotonous.

MIGHT

Ok, the characters _______________________________ is just so monotonous.

4. My laptop isn’t here, maybe someone stole it.

MIGHT

My laptop isn’t here, it __________________________________.

5. We were lucky, the hurricane nearly hit our house.

MIGHT

We were lucky, ______________________ our house