Modal Verbs of Probability Quiz

Use must, might, may, could or can't plus the correct form of the verb.

Where is David? He __________ (be) at school. Classes begin at 8. She __________  (think) that it is a good idea. It's crazy!
I'm absolutley sure!. They __________  (arrive) yesterday, I saw their ticket.
Courses __________ (begin) the fifth of September.
Are you joking! David __________ (go) to Paris last week. He doesn't have enough money.
They __________ (live) in New York, but I'm not sure.
The concert __________ (be) wonderful last night. Fiore is a great conductor.

Answer key:
must be - can't think - must have arrived - might/ may begin - can't have gone - could live - must have been

http://esl.about.com/library/grammar/blmodalprob.htm

Modal Verbs of Probability

Listed below are examples and uses of modal verbs of probability. Modal verbs of probability are used to express an opinion of the speaker based on information that the speaker has. Example: He must be at work, it's 10 o'clock. In this case, the speaker is 100 % sure that the person is at work based on the speaker's knowledge that the person in question usually works at during the day.

http://esl.about.com/library/grammar/blmodalprob.htm

Examples	Usage
They must be in Spain by now. She must have done well on the test.	Use 'must' plus the verb when you are 100% (or almost 100%) sure that something is the case.
She might come this evening. David may invite Jesica to the match. Jack might have gone to France.	Use 'might' or 'may' to express an opinion that you think has a good possibility of being true.
Jane could be at work. Peter could have arrived late.	Use 'could' to express a possibilty which is one of many. This form is not as strong as 'might' or 'may'. It is just one of a number of possibilities.
You can't be serious! They can't have worked until late.	Use 'can't' to express an opinion that you are 100% sure is NOT true. Notice that the past form remains 'can't have done'

Compared to the hot dog competition this is really tough

American hot dog eating record set

Chestnut, a 22-year-old civil engineering student at San Jose State, ate 50 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes Thursday at the Las Vegas qualifier for a spot at the table at the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The mark sets the American hot dog eating record, beating the 42 hot dogs and buns swallowed by Sonya Thomas last year. In the same competition, Chestnut had only eaten 32.

"I was hoping to do 40," said Chestnut, the champion in pork ribs (5.5 pounds in 12 minutes), waffles (18.5 in 10 minutes) and jalapeno poppers (118 in 10 minutes). "I did 48 at home, but it's always harder to do it in front of a crowd."

By Darren Rovell
ESPN.com
Archive

Problems with understanding English?

Exercise Auxilary verb 2

Write questions in the tenses given in brackets. Decide whether or not to use an auxiliary.

1. you/read/that book (Active Voice - Present Perfect Simple)
2. he/live/in London (Active Voice - Simple Present)
3. what/you/do (Active Voice - will-Future)
4. I/hurt/you (Active Voice - Simple Past)
5. they/work/in a factory (Active Voice - Simple Present)
6. he/help/you (Active Voice - Present Perfect Simple)
7. you/be/busy (Active Voice - Simple Present)
8. what music/play (Passive Voice - will-Future)
9. the sailors/rescue (Passive Voice - Simple Past)
10. the tree/cut (Passive Voice - Present Perfect)   

Answer key:

1. Have you read that book?for Present Perfect we use the auxiliary have
2. Does he live in London?does is used as an auxiliary in negative sentences and questions in Simple Present (Active Voice) if the subject is 3rd person singular
3. What will you do?will is used as an auxiliary for will-future tenses
4. Did I hurt you?did is used as an auxiliary in negative sentences and questions in Simple Past (Active Voice)
5. Do they work in a factory?do is used as an auxiliary in negative sentences and questions in Simple Present (Active Voice) if the subject is not 3rd person singular
6. Has he helped you?for Present Perfect we use the auxiliary have
   3rd person singular = has
7. Are you busy?If the full verb is a form of the verb be, we do not use an auxiliary. Instead, use the full verb in the tense needed.
8. What music will be played?Passive Voice - will-Future: will + be + past participle
9. Were the sailors rescued?Passive Voice - Simple Past: was/were + past participle
   2nd person and plural = were
10. Has the tree been cut?Passive Voice - Present Perfect: have/has + been + past participle
    3rd person singular = has

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/auxiliary-verbs/exercises?ex10

Exercise Auxilary verb

Complete each sentence with the correct auxiliary verb.

1. What _______ you done?
2. I _______ not like this song.
3. _______ she know that you are here?
4. The lesson _______ not started yet.
5. _______  you drink milk?
6. Who_______ eaten my biscuits?
7. It _______ not matter.
8. They_______ not want to play outside.
9. We_______ not seen you for a long time.
10. My friend_______ sent me some photos. 

Grammar reference: http://businesslanguagenl.blogspot.com/2011/01/importance-of-auxiliary-verb.html

Importance of the Auxiliary Verb

In English, tenses are formed by conjugating an auxiliary verb plus a standard form of the principal verb (the base form, the gerund form, or the past participle form). It is import to focus on the variations in the auxiliary verb to properly use English tenses.
Symbols Used:
S (subject)
Aux (auxiliary verb)
O (objects)
? (question word, i.e., who, what when, etc.)

Construction:
In general, using the following patterns to construct sentences in active sentences.
Positive: S + Verb + O
Negative:S + Aux + Verb + O
Question:(?)+ Aux + S + Verb + (O)
Present Simple
Use the present simple to express regular routines and habits. The present simple is often used with adverbs of frequency.
Auxiliary: DO
Examples:
He often arrives late for work.
When do you do your homework?
They don't take the bus to work.
Present Continuous
Use the present continuous when something is happening at or around the present moment in time. The present continuous is often used with 'now, at the moment, currently, today'.
Auxiliary: BE
Examples:
Jack is working on the report at the moment.
What are you doing?
Go ahead and take it. She isn't reading that book currently.
Present Perfect
Use the present perfect for:

• Something which has happened up to the present moment
• Something which has happened at an unspecified point of time in the past
• Something which has recently happened

Auxiliary: HAVE
Examples:
They haven't done their work yet.
He's worked at this company since 1978.
Have you ever been to Rome?
Present Perfect Continuous
Use the present perfect continuous to express the duration of an activity that begins in the past and continues up to the present moment. In many cases BOTH the present perfect and present perfect continuous can be used.
Auxiliary: HAVE BEEN
Examples:
We've been driving for three hours.
How long have you been sitting at that table?
They haven't been working here long.
Source: http://esl.about.com/od/grammarstructures/a/a_auxpres.htm

How can we master English?

Surprisingly enough English is considered one of the easiest languages but not so many people can boast having mastered it on a proficiency level. Why is it so? Due to a great number of synonyms, English has a vast vocabulary, due to complicated grammatical structures the meaning is not always clear and pronunciation vary immensely.

What are the tips you can give to master Englsih?