Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verbs that express various meanings such as possibility, permission, obligation, advice, ability, and more. Here are the functions of all modal verbs in English with examples and situations:
- Can: ability, permission, possibility
- Ability: She can speak three languages fluently.
- Permission: Can I borrow your pen, please?
- Possibility: It can rain later today.
- Could: past ability, possibility, permission
- Past ability: When I was younger, I could run faster.
- Possibility: It could be a good idea to start a new business.
- Permission: Could I leave work early today?
- May: permission, possibility, polite request
- Permission: May I use your restroom, please?
- Possibility: It may rain later today.
- Polite request: May I have another glass of water?
- Might: possibility, permission, past probability
- Possibility: He might be coming to the party tonight.
- Permission: Might I ask you a personal question?
- Past probability: He might have forgotten about our meeting yesterday.
- Shall: suggestion, future intention
- Suggestion: Shall we go to the beach this weekend?
- Future intention: I shall visit my family in India next year.
- Should: advice, obligation, expectation
- Advice: You should study for your exam.
- Obligation: We should wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Expectation: You should be home by midnight.
- Must: obligation, strong recommendation
- Obligation: I must finish this report by Friday.
- Strong recommendation: You must try the biryani at that restaurant.
- Ought to: advice, recommendation, expectation
- Advice: You ought to get some rest.
- Recommendation: We ought to visit that museum.
- Expectation: He ought to know better than to cheat on a test.
- Would: polite request, willingness, preference
- Polite request: Would you mind closing the window?
- Willingness: I would love to go on a trip with you.
- Preference: I would rather stay home than go to the party.
Each modal verb has multiple functions depending on the context in which it is used. It is important to teach students the nuances of each modal verb and how to use them correctly in various situations.
Worksheet and Exercise Prompts
- Can
- Ability: What can you do well?
- Permission: Can you please help me with this task?
- Possibility: What can happen if we don’t recycle?
- Could
- Past ability: What could you do when you were younger?
- Possibility: What could be a solution to climate change?
- Permission: Could you please pass the salt?
- May
- Permission: May I go to the restroom?
- Possibility: What may happen if we don’t take action on climate change?
- Polite request: May I please borrow your pencil?
- Might
- Possibility: What might happen if we don’t reduce plastic use?
- Permission: Might I leave work early today?
- Past probability: What might have happened if we didn’t take action on climate change years ago?
- Shall
- Suggestion: Shall we go to the park or the beach?
- Future intention: When shall we meet again?
- Should
- Advice: What should you do to stay healthy?
- Obligation: What should we do to reduce air pollution?
- Expectation: What should you do if you find a lost wallet?
- Must
- Obligation: What must you do to complete this task?
- Strong recommendation: What must we do to protect the environment?
- Ought to
- Advice: What ought you to do before going to bed?
- Recommendation: What ought we to do to conserve water?
- Expectation: What ought he to do if he is running late?
- Would
- Polite request: Would you mind helping me with this task?
- Willingness: What would you like to do this weekend?
- Preference: Would you rather stay at home or go out tonight?
These questions can be modified and expanded to create worksheets for students to practice using modal verbs in different situations.