TO OR NOT TO? MODALS VS. REGULAR VERBS EXERCISE 2 (ESL)
level: Beginner/Intermediate (A2/B1)
This is the second mixed exercise: true modal verbs (might, can't, shouldn't, will, must, could) never take to, but ordinary verbs like prefer, love, like, and ask usually do. As in exercise 1, look at the word right before each blank rather than applying one rule throughout.
Grammar review
Modals vs. regular verbs — a quick recap
Exercise 2 mixes the same two categories as exercise 1. Getting it right means checking the trigger word each time, not applying one rule to the whole exercise.
True modals: always the bare infinitive, no exceptions
“She may join us later tonight.”
“He can't drive a manual car.”
“They shouldn't complain so much.”
“We will finish the project by Friday.”
“You must lock the door before you leave.”
“I could not reach her this morning.”
Ordinary verbs: usually followed by to + infinitive
“He prefers to walk to work.”
“My sister loves to paint on weekends.”
“My sister doesn't like to cook alone.”
“They asked me to babysit their daughter.” (verb + object + to + infinitive)
Good to know: some of these ordinary verbs (like love and like) can also be followed by -ing instead (“loves painting”), but that's a different exercise, here, focus only on choosing between the bare form and to + the base form.
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
Exercise 2 mixes the same two categories as exercise 1. Getting it right means checking the trigger word each time, not applying one rule to the whole exercise.
True modals: always the bare infinitive, no exceptions
“She may join us later tonight.”
“He can't drive a manual car.”
“They shouldn't complain so much.”
“We will finish the project by Friday.”
“You must lock the door before you leave.”
“I could not reach her this morning.”
Ordinary verbs: usually followed by to + infinitive
“He prefers to walk to work.”
“My sister loves to paint on weekends.”
“My sister doesn't like to cook alone.”
“They asked me to babysit their daughter.” (verb + object + to + infinitive)
Good to know: some of these ordinary verbs (like love and like) can also be followed by -ing instead (“loves painting”), but that's a different exercise, here, focus only on choosing between the bare form and to + the base form.
1. I might ________ to Australia next year.
Correct answer: go — after modal might, use the base form — might go.
2. She prefers ________ the blue dress.
Correct answer: to wear — after prefers, use the infinitive with to — prefers to wear.
3. I can't ________ French.
Correct answer: speak — after modal can't, use the base form — can't speak.
4. You shouldn't ________ about him so much.
Correct answer: worry — after modal shouldn't, use the base form — shouldn't worry.
5. My brother loves ________ in the shower.
Correct answer: to sing — after loves, use the infinitive with to — loves to sing.
6. I will ________ a song for you.
Correct answer: sing — after modal will, use the base form — will sing.
7. My brother doesn't like ________ hard.
Correct answer: to work — after doesn't like, use the infinitive with to — doesn't like to work.
8. You asked me ________ you a puppy.
Correct answer: to buy — after asked, use the infinitive with to — asked me to buy.
9. You must always ________ your hands before you eat.
Correct answer: wash — after modal must, use the base form — must wash.
10. I could not ________ my key this morning.
Correct answer: find — after modal could not, use the base form — could not find.
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER MODAL VERB EXERCISES:
To or not to? Modals vs. regular verbs 1 (B)
Mixed modals 1 (can, should, must) (I)
Mixed modals 2 (can, should, must) (I)
Mixed modals 3 (can, should, must) (I)
Modals of speculation 1 (I)
Past modals 1 (I)
Modals (couldn’t / might not) (I)
Mixed modals 1 (can, should, must) (I)
Mixed modals 2 (can, should, must) (I)
Mixed modals 3 (can, should, must) (I)
Modals of speculation 1 (I)
Past modals 1 (I)
Modals (couldn’t / might not) (I)
