Modal Verbs - Grammarland Master

Modal verbs

What are Modal Verbs?

Modals Verbs are auxiliary verbs or "helping" verbs that give more detail to existing verbs in a sentence.

Modal Verbs have a few things in common...

• They are always used before another verb.

• They are followed by a verb in the infinitive without "to"

• They don´t change between 1st, 2nd and 3rd person.

• They are followed by "not" in the negative form.

• They go immediatly before the subject in the interrogative.

Pick a USe:

Possibility

Advice

ability

obligation & necessity

ProhiBition

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We can use modal verbs to talk about ability (either general ability or specific ability in a particular situation). The modal verbs of ability are ‘can’, ‘could’, and ‘be able to’.

ability

Ability can be expressed in various tenses.

Be able to

could

Can

Multiple Tenses

for Present

for Past

Yesterday, she could swim all day.

I couldn't play, because of my injury.

Can I go to the bathroom?

He is able to sleep in the car.

I will be able to swim tomorrow.

I can swim.

Could you pick me up from school?

Can you pick me up from school at 5pm?

Could I go to the bathroom?

I was able to eat the huge hamburger.

I have been able to buy the concert tickets.

Can I help you?

We can use modal verbs to give advice. The modal verbs of advice are ‘should’, ‘ought to’, and ‘had better’.

Advice

Had Better

ought to

Should

I ought to call my mom.

I ought to get off the phone.

You should eat healthy.

He should study harder.

I had better wake up early for the appointment..

He had better pick up the food from the market.

We ought to keep quiet in the library.

We should leave now.

They ought to quit laughing at me.

I had better not tell the secret.

I had better not eat that second cake.

You shouldn´t watch too much TV.

We can use modal verbs to express obligation & neccesity. The modal verbs of obligation and neccesity are ‘must’, ‘have to’ and 'need to'.

OBLIGATION/necessity

Must

Have to

Need to

I had to drive for 2 hours because of traffic..

I need to go to the bathroom.

You have to type your paper.

You need to drink water.

We must wear our seatbelt.

She must eat her vegatables.

We have to wear a mask.

She will have to retake the quiz.

We need to bring a present.

I must call the doctor.

We must visit the Eiffel Tower.

She will need to drink some coffee to stay awake.

We can use modal verbs to express prohibition. The modal verbs of prohibition are ‘musn't’ and ‘can't’.

Prohibition

Can't

Mustn't

You can't be in the construction zone.

I can't wear a hat in class..

You mustn't eat that food on the table.

I can't go to the mall this weekend with my friends.

She mustn't smoke inside.

He mustn't use my toothbrush.

We can't use the blender without adults.

We mustn't shout in the classroom.

She can't take 2 suitcases in the car.

You mustn't be late for the appointment.

We mustn't play with fires.

You can't park in the handicap space.

We can use modal verbs to express possibility. The modal verbs of possibility are ‘may’, 'might’, and ‘could’.

Possibility

Could

Might

May

I might dye my hair blonde.

I might buy a new car this week.

I may go to the new cafe for lunch.

We may take a couple weeks of vacation soon.

I could work out before work instead of after.

We could take the toll road and save 30 mins.

We might see the new movie tonight.

He may like sweet food more than salty.

They might make it to the finale!

I could wear jeans to the party.

I could get in trouble. for this!

You may be tired after the game.

Practice Board

Drag and drop the words to form different sentences using your Modal verbs. Write in the rest of your sentence with the marker.

able to

ought to

mustn't

must

finish

arrive

jump

study

smile

scream

like

had better

should

need to

can

can`t

live

dance

talk

call

walk

carry

laugh

may

couldn't

might

have to

could

1/2

QUIZ MODAL VERBS

Dad told Taylor that she must do her homework before dinner.

Obligation

Permission

Prohibition

QUIZ MODAL VERBS

next

QUIZ MODAL VERBS

Remember!If musnt't = prohibition, must equals = ?

repeat

2/2

QUIZ MODAL VERBS

We couldn´t lift the heavy boxes and needed to ask for help.

Ability - Past

Ability - Present

Ability - Future

QUIZ MODAL VERBS

Great Job!

more Practice

QUIZ MODALS VERBS

Remember!Can couldn't for ability be used in all tenses?

repeat