A Quick Guide to Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are special verbs that give us more information about the main verb. They tell
us about ability, necessity, advice, and permission.

The most common modal verbs are: can, could, must, should, have to, need to.

Key Rules:
- They are followed by the base form of another verb (e.g., I can speak).
- No *-s* for the third person (e.g., She can sing, not She cans sing).
- They don't use 'do/did' in questions or negatives (e.g., Can you help? / You mustn't go).

1. Ability: Can & Could

Use these to talk about someone's skill or general ability.

- Can is for present ability.
• "I can swim very well."
• "She can speak three languages."
- Could is for past general ability.
• "When I was young, I could run very fast."
• "He could read when he was four."

2. Necessity & Obligation: Must, Have to, Need to

Use these to say that something is very important or required.

- Must often comes from the speaker's own opinion.
• "I must nish this report today." (I feel it is necessary).
• "You must wear a seatbelt in the car." (It's a strong rule I am emphasizing).
- Have to often comes from an external rule or situation.
• "I have to work from 9 to 5." (My company requires it).
• "You have to have a passport to travel abroad." (It's the law).
- Need to is used for general necessity. It is less strong than must or have to.
• "I need to buy some milk." (It is necessary because we have none).
• "You need to drink more water." (It is necessary for your health).

3. Advice & Suggestions: Should

Use should to give advice, a recommendation, or to say what is a good idea to do.
• "You look tired. You should go to bed early."
• "He should study more if he wants to pass the exam."
• "We should check the weather before we go hiking."
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4. Permission: Can & Could

Use these to ask for and give permission.

- Can is common and informal.
• "Can I borrow your pen?"
• "You can leave early today."
- Could is more polite and formal.
• "Could I ask you a question?»

Task W1: Complete the Sentence

Instructions: Complete each sentence with can, can't, must, mustn't, should, or shouldn t.

1. You ______ cross the road when the red light is on; it's dangerous.
2. I ______ play the guitar quite well.
3. She ______ see a dentist about that toothache.
4. Students ______ use their phones during the exam.
5. We ______ speak French, but we're learning.
6. You ______ drink more water and less soda.
7. He ______ come to the party because he's sick.
8. I ______ nish this project by Friday; it's my top priority.
9. You ______ feed the animals at the zoo.
10. They ______ solve complex math problems.

Task W2: Choose the Correct Option

1. I ( must / can ) go to the bank. I have no money left.

2. ( Can / Must ) I use your bathroom, please?
3. You ( shouldn't / can't ) eat so much candy; it's bad for your teeth.
4. She ( must / can ) swim a kilometer without stopping.
5. We ( mustn't / can't ) be late for the meeting.
6. You ( should / can ) wear a helmet when you ride a bike.
7. I ( mustn't / can't ) understand this document. It's too technical.
8. He ( has to / can ) wear a uniform at his new school.
9. ( Could / Should ) we meet tomorrow to discuss the plan?
10. They ( need to / can ) clean their room; it's very messy.
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Task W3: Find the Mistake

Instructions: One modal verb in each sentence is incorrect. Find it and correct it.

1. She can to speak Japanese uently.

2. You musts try this cake; it's delicious!
3. They don't can come to the wedding.
4. He shoulds get more sleep.
5. We can booking the tickets online.
6. You must not to forget your passport.
7. I can able to help you later.
8. She needs speaking to the manager.
9. Do you can drive a manual car?
10. You shouldn't eating so fast.

Task W4: Rewrite the Sentence

Instructions: Rewrite the sentence using the modal verb in brackets. Keep the meaning the
same.

1. It's necessary for me to nish this today. (have to)

2. My advice is for you to apologise. (should)
3. It's against the rules to park here. (mustn't)
4. Is she able to cook well? (can)
5. It's not necessary for you to come, but you're welcome. (don't have to)
6. I strongly advise you to wear a coat. (should)
7. It is necessary for employees to attend the meeting. (have to)
8. Do I have your permission to leave early? (can)
9. He doesn't know how to ride a bicycle. (can't)
10. It's a good idea for us to reser ve a table. (should)

Task W5: Create the Rule

Instructions: Create a rule or a piece of advice for each situation using a modal verb.

1. In a library.
2. For someone who wants to improve their English.
3. Before a long car journey.
4. For a person starting a new job.
5. In a museum.
6. For someone who feels unwell.
7. When you meet someone for the rst time.
8. For safe online behaviour.
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9. In a cinema.
10. For a healthy lifestyle.

Task W6: Fill in the Blanks

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with have to, need to, must, or should.

1. You ______ be 18 to vote in this country.

2. I ______ remember to call my mom later.
3. He ______ wear a suit to work every day.
4. You ______ look both ways before crossing the street.
5. We ______ hurry, or we'll miss our ight!
6. She ______ buy a new laptop; her old one is broken.
7. They ______ practise if they want to win the competition.
8. I ______ go to the dentist; I have a check-up.
9. You ______ take an umbrella; it might rain.
10. All passengers ______ fasten their seatbelts.

Task W7: Positive or Negative?

Instructions: Complete the sentence with the positive or negative form of can, must, or
should.

1. This is a secret. You ______ tell anyone.

2. I'm sorry, I ______ hear you. Can you speak louder?
3. You ______ visit the new art gallery; it's fantastic!
4. It's very late. You ______ go to bed.
5. He ______ nd his keys anywhere.
6. The doctor said I ______ eat junk food for a while.
7. We ______ decide now; we have time to think.
8. You ______ touch that plate; it's very hot.
9. She ______ run a marathon in under four hours.
10. You ______ forget to turn off the lights.
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Task W8: Match the Sentence Halves

*Instructions: Match the beginning of the sentence (1-10) with the correct ending (a-j).*

1. You mustn't... a) ...speak Spanish and Italian.

2. I can... b) ...be nice to your new classmates.
3. You should... c) ...smoke in this building.
4. She has to... d) ...ask for help if you don't understand.
5. We need to... e) ...work on Sundays.
6. He can't... f) ...drive, but he's learning.
7. You should... g) ...get a visa to travel there.
8. They must... h) ...clean the car this weekend.
9. I have to... i) ...arrive on time for the inter view.
10. She can... j) ... nish this report by 5 PM.

Task W9: Correct Order

1. can't / he / the / answer / question

2. you / must / quiet / be / in / hospital / a
3. to / I / need / some / buy / groceries
4. should / a / you / doctor / see
5. can / four / she / languages / speak
6. have / we / to / now / leave
7. mustn't / you / that / touch / button / red
8. to / need / they / more / practise
9. can / I / your / pen / borrow / please?
10. should / we / what / do?

Task W10: Short Answers

Instructions: Answer the questions using a modal verb and your own ideas.

1. What is something you can do well?

2. What is something you can't do?
3. What is a rule you have to follow at work/school?
4. What is something you must do this week?
5. What is some advice you should give to a tourist in your country?
6. What is something people shouldn't do on public transport?
7. What is something you need to buy soon?
8. What is a skill you think everyone should learn?
9. Where mustn't you use your phone?
10. What is a food you think everyone should try?
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Task O1: "Can you...?" Inter view

Instructions: Inter view your partner. Ask them 10 questions starting with "Can you...?"
(Example: Can you cook? Can you play chess?)

Task O2: Role-Play: Giving Advice

Instructions: Take turns. One person has a problem, the other gives advice using should or
shouldn t.

1. "I have a terrible headache."

2. "I'm always tired."
3. "I want to get t."
4. "I failed an important exam."
5. "I had an argument with my best friend."
6. "I'm ner vous about a presentation."
7. "I can't save any money."
8. "I don't understand our homework."
9. "I'm going on a rst date."
10. "I feel stressed about work."

Task O3: «What do you have to do?»

Instructions: Ask and answer questions about obligations using have to.

1. What do you have to do every morning?

2. What do you have to do at work/school?
3. What does a doctor have to do?
4. What does a parent have to do?
5. What do you have to do to be healthy?
6. What do you have to do before a trip?
7. What do you have to do to be a good friend?
8. What do you have to do to drive a car?
9. What do you have to do in a restaurant after you eat?
10. What do you have to do to be successful in this class?
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Agree or Disagree?

Instructions: Read each statement. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your opinion using
modal verbs like should, shouldn't, must, mustn't, have to, don't have to, can, can t.

1. People should prioritise their personal happiness over their professional success.
2. Governments must control the spread of misinformation on the internet, even if it
limits free speech.
3. Individuals shouldn't have children if they are not nancially secure.
4. To be a responsible citizen, you have to vote in every election.
5. Schools should eliminate all homework because students need to have more free time for
personal interests.
6. People should be able to say whatever they want, no matter who it might offend.
7. Everyone must learn basic coding; it is as essential as reading and writing in the
modern world.
8. You shouldn't share any personal details on social media to protect your privacy.
9. Companies mustn't be able to contact their employees outside of working hours.
10. Society should hold parents responsible for the crimes of their teenage children.
11. To be truly considered an adult, a person must live independently from their parents.
12. People shouldn't have the right to own a car in a major city with good public transport.
13. We must ban all single-use plastics to save the environment, regardless of the economic
cost.
14. You don't have to go to university to have a successful and ful lling career.
15. Children should be allowed to use the internet without super vision; they can learn to
navigate it safely on their own.
16. People must give a percentage of their income to charity every year.
17. You should always tell the truth, even if it will hurt someone's feelings.
18. Countries shouldn't close their borders to refugees; they have to help those in need.
19. An individual can't truly make a difference in solving global problems like climate
change.
20. People should be required by law to do community ser vice for one year of their life.
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