Notes – MODALS
A modal is a helping verb that affects or changes the form of other verb / verbs in the
sentence.
There are 9 main modal verbs in English:
Will, shall, can, could, may, might, should, would and could.
There are other quasi-modal verbs like:
Has to, dare to, need to, ought to, etc.
Modal verbs are used in a sentence to express ability, possibility, request, suggestion, asking or
granting permission, command, habit, likelihood etc. They can be used to convey confidence,
potential, readiness, duty, obligation, necessity and aptitude.
Can Possibility You can pass if you study.
Ability He can play the violin.
Permission / Request Can I borrow your phone please?
Suggestion Can you shift down a bit?
Could Possibility He could pass if he studied.
Ability (past) Two years ago I could run faster than you.
Permission / Request (polite) Could you please switch on the fan?
Suggestion (polite) Excuse me, could you give me some room?
Shall Future action (I / We) I shall go to France this holiday.
Future resolve (formal) The prisoner shall go home tomorrow.
Suggestions / Offers Shall we dance?
Should Possibility / likelihood They should win this game easily.
Advice You should start preparing for your exams.
Will Future action I will visit you tomorrow
Resolve We will win this game; that is a promise.
Would Future action (Past) I thought I would be late; so I left early.
Hypothesis I would give you money if I had any.
Polite request Would you please tell me the time.
May Possibility It may rain tomorrow.
Formal permission May I leave the room now?
Might Possibility (Past) He said it might rain the next day.
Suggestion Might I recommend the Hilton hotel?
Speculation He might go to America next week.
Must Strong necessity / obligation You must complete this work now.
Must not Prohibition You must not tease the animals.
Had to Necessity / obligation (Past) He had to leave when he couldn’t pay the rent.
Dare Warning / admonition No one dare go there.
Need Necessity He need only ask and I will help him.
Ought to Duty / necessity / obligation You ought to be more punctual.
Exercises for practice:
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of modals:
1. Rachel _____ have brought the bicycle, but she didn’t have enough money. (could/should)
2. This is a hospital, and you ______ not talk loudly here. (must/could)
3. Uma ____ apply for the job she got in London. (might/would)
4. Yusuf ____ speak fluent French when they used to stay in Paris. (must/could)
5. Take the raincoat as it _____ rain later. (might/would)
6. You _____ visit the doctor immediately as your symptoms are quite severe. (must/ can)
7. _____ you give me a bottle of water? My throat is parched. (could/shall)
8. I ____ like to talk about the great freedom fighters on Independence Day. (would/must)
9. One ___ help the old and needy people. (ought to/can)
10. ___________ you like some sweets that I made yesterday? (would/can)
Fill in the blanks with appropriate modal verbs. (Multiple answers may be applicable)
1. Suman _______ swim. You _______ not allow her to go to the swimming pool.
2. Ira ____ attend the party as she was quite sick.
3. We _____ to save our Earth’s resources so that our future generations can use them too.
4. People ____ take care of their parents when they grow old.
5. Tina ___ come to my birthday party this Friday.
6. ____ you like to accompany me on the next trek?
7. Traffic rules _____ be more strict so that people don’t break them.
8. Children _____ always listen to their parents.
9. I know you ____ achieve your goals soon. My best wishes are with you.
10. Priti ____________ easily win today’s match if she hadn’t hurt her knees.
Choose the correct option from the box and fill the blanks given below:
can, couldn't, have to, might, must, ought to, shouldn't, was able
1. It's very cold today. Do you think it ________snow later?
2. You ______ leave your door unlocked when you go out.
3. They _________ have filled the car with petrol before they set off.
4. My motorbike broke down in the middle of nowhere, but luckily I _____ Ito fix it.
5. Mum says we _______watch TV after we've finished our homework.
6. You don't _______ pick me up at the station. I can get a taxi.
7. This is impossible, it_______ be a mistake!
8. Jim_______ have seen me because he walked past without saying 'Hello'.