Verb-Phrase Ellipsis — After Modals (C2)

I haven't read the contract yet, but I really should by now. (antecedent: have read it)

She had the chance to object, and frankly she , but she stayed silent. (antecedent: could have objected)

The others may not finish on time, but I'm confident I . (antecedent: will finish on time)

My brother can't read music, but the rest of us . (antecedent: can read music)

I'm not going to complain, although plenty of people in my position . (antecedent: would complain)

We'll never know if a warning would have changed anything, but it . (antecedent: might have changed things)

You don't have to apologise to her, but I honestly think you . (antecedent: must apologise / should apologise)

Hardly anyone thanks the volunteers, even though everybody . (antecedent: ought to thank them)

I didn't back up the files, and looking back I obviously . (antecedent: should have backed them up)

They claim he warned the board in advance, but he simply — he was abroad all month. (antecedent: couldn't have warned them)

Nobody offered to drive her home, but any decent colleague . (antecedent: would have driven her home)

Staff may not park in the front bays, but visitors . (antecedent: may park there)

You never told me the meeting had moved, and you could easily . (antecedent: could have told me)

I don't think she'll accept the offer, though she — you never know with her. (antecedent: might accept it)

None of the suppliers declared the delay early, even though they all . (antecedent: should have declared it)