Lessons on Modals: Examples and Exercises
Modals are auxiliary verbs that express necessity, possibility, permission, ability, obligation, and advice. They are used alongside the base form of a verb (without "to").
Common Modals in English:
Can / Could – Ability, Possibility, Permission
2. Will / Would – Future, Polite Requests, Habits
3. Shall / Should – Suggestions, Advice, Obligation
4. May / Might – Possibility, Permission
5. Must – Necessity, Obligation
6. Ought to – Advice, Obligation
7. Need to – Necessity
8. Dare – Courage (used in negative or question form)
9. Let – Permission
Can / Could
Can is used to express ability, permission, or possibility.
Ability:
I can swim.
She can speak French.
Permission:
Can I leave early today?
You can take the day off tomorrow.
Possibility:
It can rain tomorrow.
Could is used as the past tense of "can" or for polite requests and hypothetical situations.
Past ability:
When I was young, I could play the piano.
Polite request:
Could you help me with this problem?
Possibility:
It could rain later.
Will / Would
Will expresses a future action, a willingness, or a strong intention.
Future:
I will go to the store tomorrow.
She will start her new job next week.
Willingness:
I will help you with the project.
Polite requests/offers:
Will you come to the party?
Would is used for polite requests, hypothetical situations, and to express a past habit.
Polite request:
Would you like some coffee?
Hypothetical situation:
If I were you, I would accept the offer.
Past habit:
When we were children, we would play outside all day.
-Shall / Should
Shall is often used for offers, suggestions, or formal invitations (mainly in British English).
Suggestion:
Shall we go for a walk?
Offer:
Shall I help you with that?
Formal invitations:
Shall we begin the meeting?
Should is used to give advice, recommendations, or to express obligation or expectation.
Advice:
You should eat more vegetables.
Obligation/expectation:
They should arrive by noon.
Polite request:
Should I bring anything to the party?
May / Might
May is used for permission or to express a possibility.
Permission:
May I borrow your car?
Possibility:
It may snow tomorrow.
Might is used to express a weaker possibility or hypothetical situations.
Possibility:
We might go out for dinner later.
Hypothetical situations:
If I had the money, I might buy a new car.
Must / Ought to / Have to
Must is used to express necessity, strong advice, or obligation.
Necessity:
You must wear a helmet when riding a bike.
Strong advice:
You must see that movie; it's amazing!
Obligation:
I must finish this report by tomorrow.
Ought to is used to express advice or obligation, similar to "should."
Advice/Obligation:
You ought to study more for the exam.
Have to is used to express external necessity or obligation (usually stronger than "must").
External necessity:
I have to go to work tomorrow.
Examples of Sentences Using Modals:
Can / Could
She can speak three languages.
Could you pass me the salt, please?
Can we go now?
Will / Would
I will call you tomorrow.
Would you like to join us for dinner?
He would travel around the world if he had the money.
Shall / Should
Shall we go to the movies tonight?
You should finish your homework before playing.
You should visit your grandmother.
May / Might
May I use your phone?
I might go to the party, but I’m not sure.
May I leave early today?
.Must / Ought to / Have to
You must wear a seatbelt in the car.
He ought to apologize for his behavior.
I have to wake up early tomorrow for work.
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Exercises:
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct modal verb (can, could, will, would, must, should, may, might)
. You ___________ speak English very well.
2. If I were you, I ___________ take that opportunity.
3. You ___________ finish your homework before going out.
4. I ___________ go to the movies later if I finish my work.
5. ___________ I borrow your pen for a minute?
6. He ___________ be at home, but I’m not sure.
7. We ___________ leave early if the traffic is bad.
8. You ___________ wear a mask in the hospital.
Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer.
1. I ___________ speak three languages fluently. a) must
b) can
c) should
2. She ___________ go to the store later, but she is not sure. a) might
b) must
c) will
3. You ___________ drink plenty of water to stay healthy. a) could
b) may
c) should
4. ___________ I open the window, please? a) Can
b) May
c) Must
5. We ___________ leave soon because the train is coming. a) might
b) should
c) can
Answer Key:
Exercise 1:
1. can
2. would
3. should
4. might
5. May
6. might
7. must
8. must
Exercise 2:
1. b) can
2. a) might
3. c) should
4. b) May
5. b) should
Conclusion
Modals are essential for expressing different degrees of possibility, necessity, permission, and advice. They help to make sentences more flexible and precise. By practicing their usage in context, you'll be able to master their different functions and apply them correctly in both spoken and written English.
