Modal verbs

Exercises

Explanation

Common modal verbs in English:

• can / could - ability, possibility, permission

• may / might - permission, possibility

• must - necessity, strong obligation, logical conclusion

• should / ought to - advice, expectation

• shall - obligation, formal promises, suggestions

• will / would - future, willingness, polite requests

• need - necessity (sometimes works as a modal verb)
  
  

Can and Could

Can expresses ability, permission, possibility, or informal requests.

• Ability: Emma can speak French very well.

• Permission: You can borrow my book.

• Request: Can you open the window, please?

• Possibility: It can be cold in April.

Could is the past form of can and is also used for polite requests or uncertain possibility.

• Past ability: When he was young, he could run five miles easily.

• Polite request: Could you help me with my homework?

• Possibility: She could be at the library now, but I’m not sure.

May and Might

May expresses permission (formal) and possibility.

• Permission: Students may enter the classroom after the bell.

• Possibility: The bus may be late because of traffic.

Might also shows possibility but is less certain than may.

• Possibility: We might go to the beach tomorrow if the weather is nice.

• Polite request (formal): Might I ask you a question?

Must

Must shows necessity, strong obligation, or logical deduction.

• Obligation: You must wear a seatbelt in the car.

• Prohibition (negative): You must not park here.

• Logical conclusion: She must be tired after such a long day.

For the past or future, we usually use have to instead of must:

• Past: He had to finish the report yesterday.

• Future: I will have to wake up early tomorrow.

Should and Ought to

These modals are used for advice, recommendations, and expectations.

• Advice: You should drink more water.

• Expectation: The train should arrive soon.

• Criticism about the past: You should have studied harder for the test.

Shall

• Rare in modern English, more common in British or formal contexts.

• Obligation: The company shall provide safety equipment.

• Suggestion: Shall we go for a walk?

Will and Would

Will is used for the future, willingness, and strong certainty.

• Future: I will call you tomorrow.

• Willingness: I’ll help you with your bags.

Would is used for polite requests, hypothetical situations, and past habits.

• Polite request: Would you like some tea?

• Hypothetical: I would buy that car if I had more money.

• Past habit: When we were kids, we would play outside all day.

Need (semi-modal)

Need can sometimes behave like a modal verb.

• Necessity: You need not bring any food. (= You don’t need to bring any food.)

• Past: They didn’t need to pay for tickets.

Sentence structure with Modals