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Modal Verbs

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15 views6 pages

Modal Verbs

Uploaded by

sksshahil15
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Modal Verbs: Detailed Explanation and Usage

What are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express necessity, ability, permission, possibility, or other
conditions. They modify the main verb to add meaning and do not change their form based on the
subject.

Uses of Modal Verbs:

1. Ability

Can and Could

Can is used for present or future abilities.

Example: I can swim.

Could is used for past abilities.

Example: She could play the piano when she was young.

2. Possibility

May, Might, Could

May and Might express present or future possibilities, with might being less certain.

Example: It may rain tomorrow.

Example: He might be late.

Could can also suggest a possibility.

Example: It could snow later.

3. Permission

Can, May

Can is often used in informal contexts.

Example: Can I leave early?

May is more formal and polite.

Example: May I borrow your book?


4. Requests and Offers

Can, Could, Shall, Will, Would

Can and Could are used for informal requests.

Example: Can you help me? / Could you open the window?

Shall is used in formal offers.

Example: Shall I carry your bag?

Will and Would are often used for polite requests or offers.

Example: Will you join us? / Would you like some tea?

5. Obligation/Advice

Must, Should, Ought to

Must is used for strong obligation or necessity.

Example: You must wear a helmet.

Should and Ought to are used for giving advice or suggestions.

Example: You should eat more vegetables.

Example: You ought to apologize.

6. Prohibition

Must not (mustn’t) and Cannot (can’t)

Must not indicates strong prohibition.

Example: You must not smoke here.

Cannot suggests something is not allowed.

Example: You can’t enter without a ticket.

7. Certainty

Will, Shall, Must

Will and Shall indicate future certainty.

Example: We will win the game.


Must expresses a high degree of certainty.

Example: He must be the new manager.

8. Suggestions

Should, Shall

Should is commonly used for suggestions.

Example: You should try that restaurant.

Shall can be used to make a suggestion.

Example: Shall we go for a walk?

Differences Between Modal Verbs:

Can vs May:

Can is more casual and refers to ability or permission in informal contexts.

May is formal and used for permission or possibility.

Example: Can I go out? (informal) vs. May I go out? (formal)

Will vs Shall:

Will is used more commonly for future actions.

Example: I will finish the work tomorrow.

Shall is traditionally used in the first person (I/we) to suggest an action.

Example: Shall we begin the meeting?

Must vs Have to:


Must suggests an internal obligation, often by the speaker.

Example: I must finish my homework.

Have to suggests an external obligation.

Example: I have to attend a meeting at 5 p.m.

20 Objective Questions on Modal Verbs:

Choose the correct modal verb:

1.He ___ (can/should) play the guitar very well.

2.We ___ (may/will) have to reschedule the meeting.

3.You ___ (must/should) not park here; it's forbidden.

4.___ (Can/Shall) you help me with this assignment?

5.They ___ (may/will) arrive late because of traffic.

6.___ (Could/Will) you pass me the salt, please?

7.He ___ (should/might) be at the office by now.

8.I ___ (can/will) call you after the meeting.

9.Students ___ (must/may) submit their homework by Friday.

10.You ___ (should/could) eat more vegetables; they are healthy.

11.___ (Shall/Will) we go out for lunch?

12.You ___ (ought to/could) apologize for your behavior.

13.She ___ (may/should) not know about the surprise party.

14.He ___ (can/could) have helped you if you had asked.

15.You ___ (can/must) not use your phone during the test.

16.We ___ (will/might) travel to Japan next year.

17.I ___ (would/should) like a cup of coffee, please.

18.You ___ (can/might) bring a guest to the party if you want.


19.The team ___ (must/would) win if they play well.

20.I ___ (shall/can) see you at the event tomorrow.

Answer Key:

1 .can

2 .may

3.must

4.Can

5.may

6.Could

7.should

8.will

9.must

10.should

11.Shall

12.ought to

13.may

14.could

15.must

16.might

17.would

18.can

19.must

20.shall

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