Modal verbs in English
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This chapter will discuss the English modal verbs. The modal verbs are used to give a certain attitude towards another verb. The modal verbs are not conjugated.
Lesson outline
Hide- 1.List of English modal verbs
- 2.Definition and usage of English modal verbs
- 2.1.Modal verb 'can'
- 2.2.Modal verb 'could'
- 2.3.Modal verb 'may'
- 2.4.Modal verb 'might'
- 2.5.Modal verb 'will'
- 2.6.Modal verb 'would'
- 2.7.Modal verb 'shall'
- 2.8.Modal verb 'should'
- 2.9.Modal verb 'must'
- 3.Rules for modal verbs
- 4.Exercises
- 4.1.Practice the English modal verbs
- 4.2.Exercise modal verbs in English
- 4.3.Choose the correct English modal verb
List of English modal verbs
- can
- could
- may
- might
- will
- would
- shall
- should
- must
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Definition and usage of English modal verbs
Modal verbs have different functions:
- Permission: can, could, may, might
- Ability: can, could
- Obligation: must, ought to, should
- Prohibition: must not
- Lack of necessity: need not
- Advice: should, ought to, advice
- Possibility: can, could, might
- Probability: might
The modal verbs are always placed in the beginning of the sentence.
Modal verb 'can'
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Ability | I can speak French. |
| Permission | Can I go to the beach today? |
| Possibility | It can be very cold at night in the Sahara. |
Modal verb 'could'
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Ability | I could speak French. |
| Permission | I could go to the beach today, if the weather was nice. |
| Possibility | It could be very cold at night in the Sahara. |
Modal verb 'may'
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Permission | May I go to the cinema tonight? |
| Possibility | It may rain tomorrow. |
Modal verb 'might'
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Permission | Might I give a suggestion? |
| Possibility | It might rain tomorrow. |
| Probability | I might go on holiday to Spain next month. |
Modal verb 'will'
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Prediction | I think it will snow on Friday. |
| Promise | I will go jogging tomorrow. |
| Habits | She will spend hours on the phone calling her mother. |
Modal verb 'would'
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Wish | I wish you would have come to the party. |
| Habits in the past | She would spend hours on the phone calling her mother. |
Modal verb 'shall'
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Suggestion | Shall I help you? |
Modal verb 'should'
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Advice | You should drive safely. |
| Obligation | You should do your homework. |
Modal verb 'must'
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Obligation | You must go to the library today to study. |
| Prohibition | You must not drink and drive. |
Rules for modal verbs
The table below will show some general rules to keep in mind when using modal verbs.
| Keep in mind | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The modal verbs do not have '-s' for 3rd person singular. |
|
| Modal verbs are not used for things that will definitely happen. |
|
| Questions are not formed with do/does/did. |
|
| Modal verbs are followed by infinitives (without to). |
|
| Modal verbs have no past form (except could and would) |
|
| The past participle is used when talking about things that did not happen in the past. |
|
Train your skills by doing the exercises!
Exercises
- Practice the English modal verbs
- Exercise modal verbs in English
- Choose the correct English modal verb
Practice the English modal verbs
Fill in the English modal verb that fits the sentence best. Choose the correct modal verb from the verbs between brackets.
- I ... speak English, because I took lessons two years ago. (could - will - can)
- I can speak English, because I took lessons two years ago.
I go to the beach today, if the weather was nice. (could - can - must)
Mother, I go to my friends tonight? (shall - may - must)
We go on holiday to Italy next month, but we are not sure yet. (might - must - should)
He go to the party tonight, if he is feeling good (can - could - shall)
She she would have come to class earlier, because now she is too late. (wishes - can - might)
You do your assignments before class or you get detention. (should - might - must)
I go to the city centre later today because I have to buy shoes. (will - would - can)
we go to the cinema together tonight? (might - shall - wish)
Rick spend hours playing games in his room. (would - wish - shall)
You drive safely. (can - might - should)
Exercise modal verbs in English
Choose the correct English modal verb
Exercises
- Practice the English modal verbs
- Exercise modal verbs in English
- Choose the correct English modal verb
Practice the English modal verbs
Fill in the English modal verb that fits the sentence best. Choose the correct modal verb from the verbs between brackets.
- I ... speak English, because I took lessons two years ago. (could - will - can)
- I can speak English, because I took lessons two years ago.
I go to the beach today, if the weather was nice. (could - can - must)
Mother, I go to my friends tonight? (shall - may - must)
We go on holiday to Italy next month, but we are not sure yet. (might - must - should)
He go to the party tonight, if he is feeling good (can - could - shall)
She she would have come to class earlier, because now she is too late. (wishes - can - might)
You do your assignments before class or you get detention. (should - might - must)
I go to the city centre later today because I have to buy shoes. (will - would - can)
we go to the cinema together tonight? (might - shall - wish)
Rick spend hours playing games in his room. (would - wish - shall)
You drive safely. (can - might - should)
Exercise modal verbs in English
Choose the correct English modal verb
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Now I teache in Alliance Française and I continue to give privat lessons. I also work as a French - Russian interpreter.
In 2017 I started teaching online and I know how to make learning fun, creative end efficient to people of all ages and needs. In my opinion, any study should be a pleasure, so I do my best to make my students enjoy the lessons and progress in speaking, reading, writing, listening and grammar at the same time.
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