CLASS: VII SUBJECT: ENGLISH TOPIC: MODALS
MODALS
Modal Auxiliaries are used with another verb, and express the mood
of the speaker. The main modals are can, could; may, might; shall,
should; will, would; must ought to; need to; have to.
The negative modals are: couldn’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t, mustn’t,
needn’t, oughtn’t.
1. Permission
2. Ability
3. Obligation
4. Prohibition
5. Lack of necessity
6. Advice
7. possibility
8. probability
Examples of modal verbs
Here is a list of modals with examples:
Modal Verb Expressing Example
You must apologise for your
strong obligation
mistake.
Must
He must be very tired. He's
logical conclusion / certainty
been working all day long.
You must not park on the
must not Prohibition
road.
ability I can ride a horse.
Permission Can you pass the bowl?
can
Playing can boost your
Possibility
stamina.
When I was young I could run
ability in the past
fast.
could
Excuse me, could you help me
polite permission
please?
Permission May I use your phone?
may It may be a holiday
possibility, probability
tomorrow!
polite permission Might I suggest an idea?
might I might change the job next
possibility, probability
year.
lack of necessity/absence of I need not involve her in the
Need not
obligation matter.
to express an opinion, I should take a bus this time.
Should
suggestion, preference
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate modal verb.
1. _________ you play the piano when you were a child?
(can/could/may)
2. I'm going to bring an umbrella today because it ____________ rain.
(can/might/must)
3. ____________ dogs fly? No, of course not! (may/can/should)
4. I __________ like to have a better house. (would/will/should)
5. You ______ touch the paintings in the museum. (mustn’t/ can’t/
won’t)
6. ____________somebody cook lunch now? (Can /shall / must)
7. There _________ be forty or fifty people in the club.
(must/might/won’t)
8. The cinema hall was closed so we _________ watch the
film. (wouldn’t/ mustn’t/ couldn’t)
9. _______ water boil under 100 degrees? (can/could/must)
[Link] _______ be very pleased with herself. She got the best grades.
(can/ could/must)
Fill in the blanks with suitable modals.
Will/ would/ can/ could/ may/ might
Stranger: (i) ________ you tell me whose address is this?
Shopkeeper: Yes, I (ii)___ help you. This is Mr. Ram’s. Go straight
take left and then take your first right.
Stranger: Ok. Alright, Thank you so much.
Shopkeeper: I don’t think you (iii) _______ find him home because this is
the holiday season. He (iv) ________ have gone out.
Stranger: Is that so? I (v) __________ still like to check. You see, I have to
finish my work. I (vi) ___ certainly come next week.
