MODAL VERBS

Revision
Can
• I can cook • Can
dinner. you
pass
me the
WILLINGNES
ABILITY S ketchu
p?

PERMISSIO POSSIBILIT
N Y

• Can I use • Intense

your pencil? light
can
hurt
Directions: Say how “can” is used in each sentence. Put “A” if it is
used to express
ability, “W” if it is used to express willingness, “Per” if it is used to
express permission
and “Pos” if it is used to express possibility.

A
1) I can tie my shoes
Per
2) Can I have a piece of gum?
Pos
3) If you ride a motorcycle, you can fall.
W
4) Can you get me a drink of water?
A
5) I can speak English well.
Per to.
6) He can use my basketball if he wants
Wwork?
7) Can they clean my car while I am at
A
8) Can squirrels fly?
9) It can snow if it gets veryPos
cold.
10) I can help you with your homework if W
you like.

Directions: Now make your own sentences using “can”.

1) _____________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________
COULD
The negative of can is “could not” or the
contraction•“couldn’t”.
He couldn’t let me
have his pencil
THE PAST
TENSE OF because he
“CAN” needed it.
• Jane could be at
the store right
POSSIBLITY
now.
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary
modal verb in each sentence.
1) I (could, can) help you with your homework now.

2) Five years ago, I (cannot, couldn’t) play the piano.

3) I (can, could) get an A on the test if I studied

harder.

4) I (can, could) run ten miles if I train hard enough.

5) We (can, could) speak English well.

MAY
The negative of may is “may not”.

POSSIBILITY
• I may become a
doctor.
PERMISSION
• May I have a glass of
water?
MIGHT
. The negative of might is “might not”.

• I might
become a
POSSIBIL
doctor
ITY
when I
grow up,
but I
COMPARE
MIGH
MAY
T
A HIGHER
DEGREE OF
POSSIBILIT
I might Y
become a
doctor
when I I may
grow up, become a
but I doubt doctor.
it.
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary
modal verb in each sentence.

1) When I grow up, I (may, might) become an engineer.

2) There is a small chance the we (may, might) go to the
beach this weekend.
3) There is a good change that we (might, may) have to
postpone the meeting.
4) Billy and I (may, might) cook dinner tonight.
5) The airplane (might, may) crash.
6) You never know, I (may, might) become president one
day.
7) (May, Might) I have a piece of bread please?
8) It (might, may) snow tonight, but I doubt it.
 MUST

My keys must be around here somewhere. : I must climb Mount Everest.

DEDU OBLIG
CTION ATION
HAVE TO
The negative of have is “do not have to”.
Yoko has to win this
●

race to advance to
the next round.
STRONG BELIEF

●
My mother says that
I have to make my
bed.
Obligation coming from an
external source
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary modal
verb in each sentence.

1) My boss told me that I (have to, must) work overtime this

week.

2) I (must, have to) get my hair cut before the dance.

3) She (has to, must) pay monthly rent to live in her apartment.

4) Ted’s dad said that he (must, has to) clean his room before he
can play.

5) I (have to, must) buy those pretty red shoes.

6) The runner (has to, must) win the race to get a gold medal.
SHALL
The negative of shall is “shall not” or the
contraction “shan’t”.

PROPHE
CY I shall become a doctor.

COMMAN
Tomorrow, you shall climb to
D the top of Mt. Everest.
SHOULD
The negative of should is “should not” or
the contraction “shouldn’t”.

Ideal situation
ADVICE
I should get paid
You should see a
more for the hard
doctor.
work that I do.
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary
modal verb in each sentence.

1) Mom thinks you (should, shall) clean your room.

2) Trains (shall, should) go faster.
3) This weekend (should, shall) be the best
weekend ever!
4) I (should, shall) be a writer when I get older.
5) Police (shan’t, shouldn’t) be allowed to drive so
fast.
6) Our team (should, shall) have tried harder.
7) After you are finished washing my car, you
(shall, should) get me something to eat.
8) (Shall, Should) we be ready by ten?
WILL
The negative of will is “will not” or the
contraction “won’t

Volunteering:
I will cook dinner.

Future action:
I think I will go to
the beach this
Sunday.
WOULD
Conditional Politeness

I would get a tan if I I would like more

worked at the pool. tea please.
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary
modal verb in each sentence.

1) My dog and I (would, will) go for walks when she was younger.

2) I (will, would) buy new shoes if I had enough money.

3) I am feeling tired. I think I (would, will) go to sleep now.

4) I (will, would) like more milk when you get a chance.

5) I don’t think we (will, would) ever win the game.

6) If you get in trouble, I (won’t, wouldn’t) help you.

OUGHT TO/ HAD BETTER

ideal and somewhat obligatory action.

●
I ought to become a doctor because my father was a
doctor.

ideal and somewhat obligatory action.

●
He had better wash his hands before he eats.
Write sentences in order to illustrate the
use of “had better” and “ought to”

1. ________________________________________
________________________________________
2. ________________________________________
________________________________________
3. ________________________________________
________________________________________
4. ________________________________________
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