Welcome Back, Today we will read and learn about Modal Verbs. Here we will get infomation about example of modal verbs, list of modal verbs, Modal, Modal Verb, Modal Verbs, What are Modal, What are Modal Verbs, worksheet for modal verbs etc.
What are Modal Verbs
Modals are those verbs which help to reveal the mode of the finite verb.
What are Modal Auxiliary verbs
The form of Modal Auxiliary verbs does not change according to the gender and number of the Subject.
Example – I can, you can, he can, she can, they can।
Can, may, shall, will, could, might, should, would, must, ought, to used to, need, dare are Modal Auxiliaries.
Modal auxiliaries are called modals because they show the mode or manner of action by the main verbs.
Modals are those verbs which help to reveal the mode of the finite verb.
Features of Modals :-
They reveal imaginary action like Ability, Power, Permission, Request, Possibility, Willingness, etc. As –
I can do this work. (ability)
They are not used alone but always with the main verb (finite verb).
These verbs do not change according to the number or person of the subject i.e. ‘s’, ‘es’ or ‘ing’ are not added to them, like-
If modal auxiliary is used in He goes to school, then the sentence becomes He can go to school and not He can goes to school.
The infinitive without to means the first form of the verb is used with the modal verb. Present Participle (ing form) or Past Participle (3 rd form of the verb) or ‘to’ infinitive is not used with them, like-
He can go. (Right)
He can going. (Wrong)
NOTE:- “Used to”, “ought to” modals are an exception to this as they are preceded by ‘to’.
Modals are not used in tenses.
Marginal Modal Auxiliaries: Used to, dare, and need are called Marginal Modal auxiliaries or Semi-modal auxiliaries. They are used sometimes like Main verb and sometimes like Modal auxiliary verb.
Uses of the Modal Auxiliaries (Modals)
USE OF SHALL:-
1. Shall is used with I and We to express the business that will take place in the future in general. Shall is used in the sense of Simple Future (Future Indefinite) with the first person (I, we)-
(i) I shall study school book.
(ii) We shall go to school tomorrow.
2. In the sense of request
(i) Shall I take this pen?
(ii) Shall we sit down here?
3. To know the desire of another in question with first person, like-
(i) Shall I call the doctor? (Do you want me to call the doctor?)
(ii) Shall I prepare a cup of tea for you?
(iii) Shall I go with you?
4. Third Person (he, she, it) to express Threat, Command, Assurance, Promise, Compilation, Determination, Certainty , they, Ram, Shyam) with ‘shall’. As-
(i) You shall not enter my office without my permission. (order)
(ii) You shall get a good reward. (promise)
(iii) He shall not tell a lie. (command)
(iv) He shall carry out my order. (compulsion)
(v) I am determined that he shall do as he is told. (determination)
With third person shall shows command (आदेश) or wish (इच्छा) of the person addressed; as-
Shall he carry your luggage?
WILL
1. Will is used with II and III person to express general future action, whereas will is used with I person to express Threat, warning, promise, determination. As-
(i). He will go tomorrow.
(ii). You will work here.
(iii). I will see you. (Threat, warning)
(iv). I will pay you on Monday. (Promise)
(v). I will achieve my goal. (Determination)
(vi). I will never speak to him. (Determination)
2. Will is used to express a formal request in the form of a question. As-
(i). Will you close the door?
(ii). Will you bring me a glass of water?
3. The use of ‘will’ expresses probability with all persons. Will not (won’t) is used to express refusal. As –
(i). I won’t go there.
(ii). He will not sanction your leave.
(iii). He will be in the park.
(iv). Today is 15th Aug; schools will be closed.
4. Won’t (will not) when used as a question, it expresses invitation. As-
(i). Won’t you have a cup of tea?
(ii). Won’t you meet her?
(iii). Won’t you stay for a day?
5. Will is also used to express instructions, commands. As-
(i). All the cadets will attend the parade.
(ii). The girls will not wear the shorts.
(iii). You will deliver the welcome speech.
6. ‘Will’ is used with the third person to express a general habit. As-
(i). The women will not keep mum.
(ii). The girls will talk.
(iii). He will smoke.
(iv). The minister will come late.
CAN/COULD
1. Subject + shall/will be able + Infinitive-
Similarly, subject + shall/will be able + infinitive or only Future Simple should be used, not can, to convey the power to act in the future and the completeness of the action, like-
(i). I shall be able to help him.
– I shall help him.
(ii). Suresh will be able to reach in time.
– Suresh will reach in time.
NOTE:- Could + not + infinitive can also be used instead of was/were + not + able + infinitive in negative sentence, like-
(i). The luggage was so heavy that Geeta couldn’t carry it.
(ii). Meeta tried to carry the box but couldn’t.
Such sentences indicate that the action could not be completed in the past.
2. Can’t gives the sense of lack of possibility, that is, it is understood that there is no possibility of action, like-
(i). The sky is bright and clear. It can’t rain tonight.
(ii). Yogi is a gentleman. He can’t be a liar.
3. Can and Could both can be used for request. Could shows more politeness. As-
(i). Can you give me your umbrella?
(ii). Could you lend me your Sofa set?
(iii). Could you please send me an application form? (Could you is a very good way of Introducing a request. It is an alternative to ‘would you’. And a little more polite.)
4. The use of could expresses Past ability/ capacity/ strength. As-
(i). When I was young, I could climb any tree.
(ii). When Sohan was young, he could swim across this river.
5. Can is used to show Ability/ Capacity/ Strength in the present context. As-
(i). Mohit can speak English fluently.
(ii). Surbhi can lift 20 kg. at a time.
(iii). This tank can contain 100 litres of water.
6. Could is used in present perfect to express a past possibility which was not completed. As-
(i). He could have caught the train, if he had hurried.
(ii). He could have done it without much problem.
(iii). He could have sent a message.
7. Could is used as the past tense of can. As-
(i). Ramesh told me that he could lend me his umbrella.
(ii). I did all that I could.
8. Could is used in imaginary (Unreal) conditions as follows-
(i). If I had more money, I could build a temple.
(ii). If I had wings, I could fly to Himalayas.
9. Can have + past participle expresses the sense of possibility and uncertainty in relation to the action done in the past, like-
(i). Jay can have heard the news.
= It is probable but uncertain that Jay heard the news.
Thus, can have + past participle and may have + past participle – both of them have the same meaning, like-
(i). Rohan can have caught the train.
= Rohan may have caught the train.
Note that will have + past participle also has the same meaning, like-
(i). Mahesh may have caught the train.
= Mahesh will have caught the train.
10. The sense of refusal from Can’t is expressed in this way-
(i). Can Rita play here?
(ii). No, you can’t.
MUST
1. Must is used in place of should for necessity and obligation.
Ex.
You must help him.
2. The sense of order of the Speaker is indicated by Must.
Ex.
(i). You must not leave now.
(ii). They must have not play here.
3. Must is also used to show determination.
Ex.
I must help him.
4. Must is also used for deduction, inference and estimation.
Ex.
(i). Karan has a big house. He must be rich.
(ii). Neha reads a lot she must be learned.
5. Must + have is used to show a condition in the past which has not been completed.
Ex.
You must have followed instructions. (but you didn’t agree)
OUGHT TO
1. When there is a strong sense of Moral duty, Advice, Indication of correct action, then ought to is used.
Ex.
(i). You ought to serve your motherland.
(ii). You ought to submit your income tax.
2. If some work was to happen in the past and was not completed or any negative work which should not have been done, then ought to + have is used for that.
Ex.
(i). He ought not to have smoked in the bus.
(ii). You ought to have served your parents.
SHOULD
The past form of Shall is ‘Should’. It is used in the following cases-
1. Should is used to express Future in Past, like-
(i). He said that I should attend her party.
(ii). I said that he should go home.
2. To express obligation/duty
(i). We should respect our parents.
(ii). We should help the nedy.
3. Advice, suggestion or inference, assumption Should is used to express advice, suggestion or conclusion, like-
(i). You should work hard to pass the examination.
(ii). She should do her work neatly.
(iii). He should have come by now.
MAY/MIGHT/MUST
1. Subject + may + Infinitive [without ‘to’]-
This type of may gives sense of two meanings-
1. Permission
2. Future possibility + doubt
Ex.
(i). May I go out, sir?
(asking for permission)
(ii). Rohan may play here.
(allow)
(iii). May I use your pencil?
(asking for permission)
(iv). It may rain tonight.
(Possibility)
(v). It might rain tonight.
(Doubt)
(iv). Kishan may come today.
(Possibility)
Possibility:-
– May more possibility.
– Might less possibility.
– Must (99%).
NOTE: – Keep in mind that in case of any possibility, the use of all three would be correct unless a hint has been given in the given sentence.
Ex.
(i). It may/might rain.
(ii). There are many clouds in the sky it might rain today.
In the second sentence, it would be appropriate to use may instead of might because the first sentence is emphasizing on the possibility.
2. May is used for permission and wish or prayer.
Ex.
(i). May, I come in?
(ii). May you enjoy marital happiness!
3. Subject + may + perfect infinitive [may have + past participle]-
In some sentences the Perfect Infinitive comes after May, but the ‘to’ of the infinitive remains hidden. The structure of such sentences is as follows-
May + perfect Infinitive
This type of may gives the sense of past possibility + doubt (uncertainty),
Ex.
(i). Viraj may have seen him.
(ii). Vikram may have reached home.
From such sentences it is understood that the action done in the past was more likely to happen, but it is not known whether the action was completed or not.
4. Purpose is told by ‘may, might’.
(So that, in order that with may or might)
Ex.
(i). She works hard so that she may pass.
5. Might is used instead of may for remote possibility.
Ex.
Riya might be sleeping now.
NOTE: – Generally: May and Might both are used to show possibility but if reporting verb is in past then might is used.
Ex.
(i). Seema said that she might go there.
6. Might in Interrrogative Sentences-
May is used in the meaning of permission, but in order to convey permission very humbly, might is used in Interrogative Sentences in Present Tense as follows-
(i). Might Seema use Rekha’s knife?
(ii). Might Mohan borrow Neelima’s umbrella?
These types of sentences show a sense of hesitation, doubt or dilemma.
7. May/might is used to express the possibility or desirability of past action.
Ex.
(i). He may/might have left yesterday.
(It is possible he left)
(ii). Better you might not have revealed the secret.
(The secret was revealed)
Generally: May/might have gives meaning against action. Like the sentence would have been better if you didn’t open this secret (meaning the secret has been opened.)
8. Subject + might + Perfect Infinitive [might have + past participle]-
If Might + Perfect Infinitive is used in such sentences, then it is understood that there was a possibility of action in the past, but whether the action happened or not.
EX.
(i). Digvijay may have been killed.
(likely to be killed)
(ii). Yuvraj might have been killed.
(not killed)
USED TO
1. Used to is used to express past habit or situation.
Ex.
(i). I used to read news paper in childhood.
(ii). Used to is used in Affirmative, Negative and Interrogative sentences as follows-
Ex.
(i). I used to go there.
(ii). I used not to go there.
(iii). I did not use to go there.
(iv). Used I to go there?
(v). Did I use to go there?
NEED AND DARE
1. Need and Dare:- Work like both Modal and Main Verb. But they are not used like modals in affirmative sentences.
Ex.
(i). He needs to work hard. (needs = main verb)
(ii). Need I write to him? (Need = auxiliary)
iii. He neednot go there again.
↓ ↓
(A.V.) (M.V.)
2. Dare not/Daren’t is always used in Plural form to express negative idea as Marginal Auxiliary verb. As-
Ex.
(i) I dare not go there.
(True)
(ii) He dare not oppose his father.
(True)
(iii) He dares not to oppose his father.
(False)
NOTE:- Infinitive with ‘to’ is not used after Dare not/Daren’t. As-
(i) He dare not to go there.
(False)
(ii) He dare not go there.
(True)
(iii) I daren’t to call you a fool.
(False)
(iv) I daren’t call you a fool.
(True)
WOULD
RULE:-1
Would is used as the Past Tense form of will in Indirect speech.
Ex.
(i) He said,”He will go there,”
(Direct)
(ii) He said that he would go there.
(Indirect)
(iii) She said,”You will love me.”
(Direct)
(iv) She said that he would love her.
(Indirect)
RULE:-2
Would is used to express past habit.
Ex.
(i) He would talk upon the subject for hours together.
(ii) She would sit for hours in her garden and knit.
(iii) Gandhiji would spin every morning.
(iv) He would go for a walk every morning.
(v) After lunch he would have a short nap.
RULE:-3
Would is used in Interrogative sentence to express Polite request.
Ex.
(i) Would you please lend me your book?
(ii) Would you like to have a cup of coffee?
(iii) Would you please listen to me?
RULE:-4
Would is used in the main clause of sentences expressing unreal conditions of Present or Past or blank imagination.
Ex.
(i) If I were a bird, I would fly in the sky.
(ii) If you had worked hard, you
(iii) would have been successful.
RULE:-5
Would is used in the past and sometimes in the present tense to show irregular practice.
Ex.
(i). Sometimes he would dance and sometimes sings
Sometimes they dance and sometimes they sing.
(ii). Sometimes children would play with their teachers.
Sometimes children can play with the teacher.
Read More
| Noun | Factor |
| Pronoun | sentence idea |
| Adjective | speech |
| Articles | Phonetics |
| Action | Era |
| Word | indecent word |
| adverb | Idioms |
| Treaty | Proverbs |
| gender | character idea |
| Promise | punctuation |
| Samas | one word for phrase |
| prefix | Glossary of Terms |
| suffix | Factors sign |
| ambiguous words | Antonyms |
| Synonyms | Derivative words |
| monosyllable | all other articles |
Faq
What are modal verbs?
Modals are those verbs which help to reveal the mode of the finite verb.
Where is modal used?
We use modals to show if we believe something is certain, possible or impossible
What is modal and its types?
a kind of auxiliary verb that is used to express modalities (the states or ‘modes’ in which a thing exists) such as possibility, ability, prohibition and necessity. Some common examples of modal verbs include should, must, will, might and could.
What are the 24 modal verbs?
Be Verb: is, am, are, was, were, been, being Have Verb: have, has, had, having Do Verb: do, does, did, can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, must, dare, need, used to, ought to
Exercise of modal verbs / Worksheet
Q.1
Your brother hardly studies. He _ pass the exam.
1
will
2
shall
3
might
4
may
Solution
Might – Remove Possibility.
Q.2
__ you tell us what time the meeting will start?
1
would
2
may
3
should
4
shall
Solution
Would – Polite request.
Q.3
Stop smoking! You really __ not smoke.
1
should
2
may
3
would
4
might
Solution
Should – Advice.
Q.4
We __ not spend so much on luxuries.
1
have to
2
ought to
3
should
4
might
Solution
Should – Advice
Q.5
You _ smoke so much. It’s bad for your health.
1
shouldn’t
2
needn’t
3
wouldn’t
4
shall
Solution
Should – Advice.
Q.6
We have suggested that Ratan __ be given a reward for his hard work.
1
must
2
may
3
should
4
might
Solution
Should – Advice.
Q.7
__ you mind helping me?
1
would
2
may
3
should
4
shall
Solution
Would – Polite request.
Q.8
__ you mind helping me?
1
would
2
may
3
should
4
shall
Solution
Would – Polite request.
Q.9
_ I help you in any way?
1
might
2
must
3
can
4
would
Solution
Can – offer.
Q.10
She put a password in her computer so that others __ not use it.
1
can
2
may
3
could
4
must
Solution
May – Purpose.
Q.11
She joined a gym so that she _ lose some weight.
1
can
2
could
3
will
4
need
Solution
Could – Purpose in the past.
Q.12
Roshan _ help his brother. (Moral obligation)
1
ought to
2
mustn’t
3
could
4
might
Solution
Ought to – Moral Obligation.
Q.13
You _ use my car if you like. (Permission)
1
can
2
should
3
need
4
shall
Solution
Can – Permission.
Q.14
These pages _ be photocopied for personal use. (Permission)
1
may
2
should
3
need
4
shall
Solution
May – Permission.
Q.15
All passengers _ wear seat-belts.
1
may
2
need
3
dare
4
must
Solution
Must – Compulsion / Strong advice.
Q.16
Students _ not make noise in the library.
1
may
2
have to
3
dare
4
must
Solution
Must – Prohibition.
Q.17
You _ forget what I have just told you. It’s very important.
1
mustn’t
2
may not
3
needn’t
4
had better
Solution
Mustn’t – Strong advice (Negative).
Q.18
Janardan _ be home. I heard a noise coming from his room.
1
may
2
might
3
dare
4
must
Solution
Must – Inference.
Q.19
_ I interrupt?
1
Can
2
Ought
3
Would
4
Will
Solution
Can – Permission.
Q.20
You _ use your phone while you are driving.
1
needn’t
2
mustn’t
3
oughtn’t
4
wouldn’t
Solution
Mustn’t – Prohibition.
Q.21
I __ see quite clearly what the children are doing.
1
can
2
should
3
may
4
have to
Solution
Can – Capacity / capability / ability.
Q.22
Mangoes _ cost very little in Jodhpur, but now they are quite expensive.
1
would
2
used to
3
should
4
had to
Solution
Used to – State of past.
Q.23
Sharda _ be fat, but now she is thin.
1
might
2
used to
3
should
4
had to
Solution
Used to – State of past.
Q.24
Rajni __ play with dolls in her childhood.
1
must
2
shall
3
used to
4
should
Solution
Used to – Habit in past.
Q.25
He _ rather stay at home than go with you.
1
must
2
shall
3
would
4
should
Solution
Would – Preference – would + rather.
Q.26
Take care of your health lest you _ suffer in your later life.
1
could
2
must
3
would
4
should
Solution
Should – Advice – lest + should.
Q.27
We _ violate traffic rules.
1
mustn’t
2
needn’t
3
would
4
may not
Solution
Mustn’t – Prohibition.
Q.28
You are too late. You _ have come by air.
1
will
2
shall
3
should
4
had better
Solution
Should – Desirability in the past.
Q.29
You _ have come into my room in my absence.
1
shall
2
shouldn’t
3
dare
4
can
Solution
Shouldn’t – Advice.
Q.30
Pallavi was lucky when she fell off the ladder. She _ have hurt herself.
1
will
2
may
3
should
4
could
Solution
Could Have VIII – Possibility in the past.
Q.31
The boss is annoyed with him. He _ have done something wrong.
1
need
2
could
3
must
4
may
Solution
Must have VIII – Certainty.
Q.32
You __ be happily married because you are always fighting with your wife.
1
mustn’t
2
must
3
needn’t
4
can’t
Solution
Can’t – Possibility (Negative).
Q.33
I can go on my own. You _ come with me.
1
can’t
2
needn’t
3
wouldn’t
4
mustn’t
Q.34
You have been driving all day. You __ be tired.
1
can’t
2
needn’t
3
would
4
must
Q.35
That dress is not expensive. I _ buy it.
1
could
2
can
3
may
4
would
Q.36
My great grandfather __ still read without glasses.
1
Can
2
should
3
may
4
have to
Q.37
Sharda __ speak two languages when she was sixteen.
1
can
2
could
3
would
4
mustn’t
Solution
Could – Ability in past.
Q.38
He ran as fast as he __.
1
must
2
shall
3
would
4
could
Solution
Ran (V2) – Could – Ability in past.
Q.39
This bottle____ contain a litre of milk.
1
must
2
can
3
would
4
might
Solution
Can – Ability / capacity / capability.
Q.40
He has a big house. He _ be a rich man.
1
must
2
shall
3
would
4
had better
Solution
Must – Inference.
Q.41
All the students _ attend their classes regularly.
1
must
2
might
3
would
4
should
Solution
Must – Compulsion.
Q.42
He said that he __ swim.
1
could
2
shall
3
might
4
should
Solution
Could – Ability in past.
Q.43
Every person appreciates Dr. Shah. He _ be a good doctor.
1
can
2
shall
3
must
4
needn’t
Solution
Must – Inference.
Q.44
Raman was so poor that he _____not support his family well.
1
must
2
would
3
can
4
could
Solution
Could – Capacity / ability / capability (negative) – past
Q.45
I can’t sing now but I _ sing very well when I was a child.
1
might
2
would
3
can
4
could
Solution
Could – Ability in past.
Q.46
I can’t get any answer from my telephone. It _ be out of order.
1
will
2
would
3
must
4
had better
Solution
Must – Inference.
Q.47
She _ be 30. She looks much older.
1
mustn’t
2
can’t
3
needn’t
4
doesn’t have to
Solution
Can’t – Negative Inference.
Q.48
I know what you mean. You _ explain further.
1
can’t
2
needn’t
3
wouldn’t
4
mustn’t
Q.49
The window was so tightly closed that she _ open it.
1
couldn’t
2
mustn’t
3
needn’t
4
can’t
Solution
Could – Possibility (Negative) – Past.
Q.50
Any doctor _ give medicines for cough and cold.
1
mustn’t
2
can
3
needn’t
4
should
Solution
Can – Ability / capacity / capability.