Ch.

6 MODALS

Modals are the words that describe the mode or manner of the action denoted by the verb. or you
can say these words used to express the action which are full of expressions.

They are always used with the principal verb that follows them. They express meanings or ideas such
as permission, possibility, certainty, necessity, obligation, command, request, compulsion, ability,
capacity, polite request, etc.

How many Modals are there?

There are 14 main modals which we can say modal auxiliary verbs, we can also say helping verbs.
They cannot be use alone.

Can

Could

Will

Would

Shall

Should

Dare

May

Must

Might

Need to

Used to

Have to

Ought to

Can, Could, Will, Would, Shall, Should, May, Might, Must, Ought to, Used to, Have to, need to , dare,
etc.

Usage of Modals

Use of ‘Can’

 denotes power, capacity, and ability.

 Used for taking and giving permission.

 Shows friendly request.

10 Examples of ‘Can’
 1. Mausami can sing as well as dance.

2. Daisy can lift 20 kg weight. (Capacity)

3. You can join this party.

4. Jhon can play football.

5. You can go now. (Giving Permission)

6. She can run very fast. (ability)

7. Can I use this pen? (Friendly Request)

8. My mother can speak German. (ability)

9. She can write 3 posts daily.

10. Nobita can write with both hands.

11. Can you come with me? (Friendly Request)

12. Can you go with us? (Friendly Request)

Use of ‘Could’

 denotes the past ability, capacity and power.

 to show remote possibility.

 shows formal request.

10 Examples of ‘Could’

1. She could dance when she was healthy.

2. He could lift 10kg when he was Four.

3. I could write 20 pages daily when I was five.

4. She could play football when she was four.

5. There could be a bomb in your house. (remote possibility)

6. My brother could ride bike when he was sixteen.

7. She could not come yesterday. (Past ability)

8. Could you help me? (formal request)

9. There could be a dog in the street. (remote possibility)

10. I could not believe whatever she said.

11. He could sing when he was fifteen.

12. How could she do that?

Use of ‘Shall’

1. To express a pure future with first-person (I, we), for example :–

 1. I shall help you.

2. We shall meet you on Sunday.

2. Taking and giving permission. For example:-

1. Shall I help you?

2. Shall we meet you on Sunday?

Examples of ‘Shall’

1. I shall be waiting for you.

2. Shall we start practice? (Taking permission)

3. I shall be taking a bath.

4. I shall take tea.

5. At what time shall we meet?

6. We shall meet you in the park.

7. I shall be dancing.

8. We shall be punished for this blunder.

9. I shall have a reward for this achievement.

10. Shall we go now? (Taking permission)

Use of ‘Should’

 It is the past form of Shall.

 Express duty, suggestion, and advice.

10 Examples of ‘Should’

1.

1. It’s too late, I should go home now.

2. You are good at Mathematics, You should participate in the quiz.

3. You should come on time to the class daily.

4. You should brush your teeth twice a day.

5. He should do his homework on time.

6. You should run fast to catch the bus.

7. You should go home now.

8. Should we start now?

9. She should study hard.

10. Should I go there?

 11. He should not laugh at his mistake.

12. Why should we go for a dinner with them?

Use of ‘Will’

 is used with the second person (you), and third person (He, She, It, Singular) in future tense.

10 Examples of ‘Will’

1. He will choose the pink dress.

2. Daisy will go for a movie after exams.

3. Hanky will make pastries.

4. She will go to Mumbai.

5. They will not go to America next week.

6. Will he go to London?

7. They will do this job dedicatedly.

8. Will she wear a pink dress to the Party?

9. They will be waiting for you.

10. I will help you. (Promise).

11. I will make you laugh. (determination)

12. My mother will make mango shake.

Use of ‘Would’

 to express past habits.

 Shows choice and preference

 Taking permission (formal way)

 Request (polite way)

10 Examples of ‘Would’

1. I would like to wear a blue dress. (Choice)

2. Gassy would buy a bungalow.

3. She would not feel better.

4. Would you like to play Badminton? (Taking permission)

5. I would go for a movie.

6. Why would he prefer tea to coffee? (Preference)

7. He thought that he would pass.

8. He would go to school by bus.

 9. What would you like to take?

10. Would you come with me? (Request)

11. He hoped that she would come.

12. Would you go for a movie?

Use of ‘Ought to’

 moral obligation and duty

Examples of ‘Ought to’

1. You ought to tell your marks at home.

2. We ought to speak the truth.

3. You ought to help Poor and needy.

4. She ought to take care of her grandfather.

5. You ought to pay attention towards your job.

6. You ought to obey your parents.

7. We ought to love our country.

8. He ought to stop smoking.

9. You ought to tell the truth.

10. She ought to consult a doctor about this.

Use of ‘Need to’

 expresses requirements

Examples of Need to

1. You need to brush your teeth now.

2. She needs to drink 8 glasses of water daily.

3. I need some time to think about it.

4. He need to take rest for an hour .

5. They need basic amenities in the hospitals.

6. They need not come here.

7. He needs to go there.

8. You need to buy new shoes.

9. I need to help him.

10. He needs three labors in his farm.

Use of ‘May’
  Shows possibility

 Expresses willingness in an optative sentence.

 Shows respect and request.

 taking and giving permission.

 possibly and likely is never used with ‘may’.

Examples of ‘May’

1. It may rain today. (50% chance)

2. May I go to drink water? (Request)

3. She may come here in upcoming days.

4. You may go now. (Taking permission)

5. He may play cards. (Possibility)

6. Delhi CM may declare new policies.

7. She may like this dress. (Possibility)

8. Government may declare the 10th result Today.

9. They may declare her name in the court.

10. He may appear in the exam.

Use of ‘Might’

 Shows less possibility

Examples of Might

1. They might sing.

2. Go there, You might meet him.

3. She might be talking.

4. It might rain today. (25% chance)

5. She might come.

6. I think she might help you.

7. They might dance at the party.

8. He might pass the exam.

9. He might go there.

10. Her mother has health issues so she might come.

Use of ‘Must’

 Shows greater possibility

Examples of ‘Must’

1. You must follow traffic rules while driving.

2. He must do exercise if he feels depressed.

3. He comes alone to the party He must be single.

4. You must add green leafy vegetables in your diet.

5. It must be raining today. (90% chances)

6. He must pass this exam.

7. You must take care of your parents.

8. He must go there to see him.

9. She comes in a luxurious car, she must be rich.

10. Your bones are weak, You must take proteins.

Use of ‘dare’

 express challenge or courage

Examples of ‘dare’

1. She does not dare to go there.

2. How dare you touch my phone.

3. How dare he say that.

4. You dare to come here.

5. How dare you to touch my diary.

6. He does not dare to go to the party.

Use of ‘Used to’

 Denotes past habits and situation.

Examples of ‘Used to’

1. She used to meet her when she was in love.

2. She used to do fight with her brother, before marriage.

3. They used to stay here, for the last 3 years.

4. I used to go to the temple with my grandmother.

5. I used to play football with my brother.

6. She used to come here every Sunday.

7. They used to drink together.

8. I am used to taking a bath after meal.

 9. He used to call me every day.

10. She used to tell lies when she was five.

Use of ‘have to’

 Shows Obligation

 Things that are necessary to do.

 give advice

Examples of ‘have to’

1. You have to send her abroad for her better future.

2. He have to meet her on time otherwise she leave.

3. You have to take care of your mother.

4. You have to take medicines.

5. I have to submit my project.

6. She have to go to India.

7. John have to work in London.

8. I have to buy new shoes.

9. I have to make tea.

10. He have to study whole night.

Modals Uses Chart

Modals Usages

Can 1. denotes power, capacity, and ability.

2. Used for taking and giving permission.
3. Shows friendly request.

Could 1. denotes the past ability, capacity and power.

2. to show remote possibility.
3. shows formal request.

Shall 1. To express a pure future with first-person (I, we)

2. Taking and giving permission.

Should 1. It is past form of Shall.

2. Express duty, suggestion, and advice.

Will 1. is used with the second person (you), and third person (He, She, It, Singular) in future
tense.

Would 1. to express past habit.

2. Shows choice and preference

May 1. Shows possibility

Modals Usages

2. Expresses willingness in an optative sentence.

3. Shows respect and request.
taking and giving permission.
4. possibly and likely is never used with 'may'.

Might 1. Shows less possibility

Must 1. Shows greater possibility

Ought 1. moral obligation and duty

to

Need to 1. expresses requirements

Used to 1. Denotes past habits and situations.

have to 1. Shows Obligation

2. Things that are necessary to do.
3. give advice

dare 1. express challenge or courage

Modals Worksheets

Worksheet 1

Put appropriate Modals in the blank from the given words.

1. She ______ sleep alone when she was Eight. (Used to/need)

2. You are unhealth, you _______ add green leafy vegetables in your diet. (should /Ought to)

3. He ______ some time to think about it. (need/may)

4. He ______ not help him when he was in trouble. (can/could)

5. I ______ complete my homework by Tuesday. (have to/shall) (compulsion)

6. ______ you live long! (must/may)

7. ______ we go for a movie next week? (Will/shall)

8. He is not well, You _______ go to meet her. (should/must)

9. I saw someone, there ______ be a thief outside. (might/should)

10. ______ God bless you! (Might/May)

Answers

1. used to

2. should

3. need

4. could
 5. have to

6. may

7. shall

8. must

9. might

10. May

Worksheet 2

Fill in the blanks with shall/will, choosing from the given options.

1. She _______ go to temple in the morning.

2. You ______ definitely enjoy the party.

3. When ______ you marry her?

4. _______ We meet him in the morning?

5. I _______ help you?

6. I’m sure, You ______ like that place.

7. I ______ be waiting for you.

8. We ______ not participate in the competition.

9. He _______ get a chance.

10. We _______ be punished for this blunder.

Answers

1. will

2. will

3. will

4. Shall

5. Shall

6. Will

7. Shall

8. will

9. will

10. Shall

Worksheet 3

Fill in the blank with must, might and may.

 1. He is suffring form fever, he _____ visit a doctor.

2. He ______ come here, he has to leave Mumbai in ten minutes.

3. _____ I go now?

4. She hates him, she ____ go to meet him.

5. You ____ go now.

6. This form ____ fill in blue ink.

7. He ____ take precautions.

8. He _____ go to London this week.

9. You _____ take medicines on time.

10. Government ______ declare 10th result Today.

Answers

1. Must

2. Might

3. May

4. Might

5. May

6. Might

7. Must

8. may

9. Must

10. May

Modals Exercises

Exercise 1

Fill in the blank from the given modals

would, should, can, could, used to, dare, Must, Need, Shall, Could

1. She _____ visit a doctor.

2. They _____ woolen clothes in Shimla.

3. Dolly _____ bite, when she was two.

4. Shally ______ not come on time yesterday due to heavy rain.

5. He _____ swim very well.

6. She ______ do her homework on time. (advice)

 7. Teena studied hard, she ______ be pass with good marks.

8. Ram does not ______ to go there.

9. ______ I go to Mumbai next week? (Taking request)

10. There ____ be a bomb under your seat. (remote possibility)

Exercise 2

Complete the following with suitable modals.

1. Employee: Sir, 1____ I come in?

2. Boss: Where were you? You 2____ be in the office by this time.

3. Employee: Sorry Sir. I 3_____ not get the bus on time.

4. Boss: You 4_____ leave your home early.

5. Employee: Kindly, forgive me this time. I 5____ not be late in future. 6_____ I take my seat
now?

6. Employee: Sir, 7_____ you please check this mail?

7. Boss: I 8_____ not check your mail at this time. I 9 _______ leave for an important meeting.

8. Employee: Okay Sir! I 10 _____ send this mail to you.

9. Boss: I 11_____ check it later.

10. Employee: Have a good day Sir!

Exercise 3

Underline the correct modal in the following sentences.

1. There could/should be a cat under your chair.

2. Hurry up otherwise you will/would miss the train.

3. You should/may wash your hand before eating.

4. She will/would become a doctor.

5. They used to/must drink together, when they were in same batch.

6. If I were a bird I would/could fly in the sky.

7. She should/must chew food properly.

8. You Should/must not eat too much chocolate.

9. He hates her. he shall/will not go to meet her.

10. Ram ought to/must follow traffic rules while driving.

11. Weather is bad, They may/might go to Goa.

12. He was injured badly and he could/would not write.

 13. You will/shall get the profit.

14. Shall/Will I call him?

15. Will/would you like to take some Tea or coffee?

Answers

Exercise 1

1. Must

2. need

3. used to

4. could

5. can

6. should

7. Would

8. dare

9. Shall

10. Could

Exercise 2

1. may

2. should

3. could

4. should

5. will

6. can

7. would

8. can

9. have to

10. shall

11. shall

Exercise 3

1. Could

2. will

3. should
4. will

5. used to

6. would

7. must

8. should

9. will

10. ought to

11. might

12. could

13. will

14. shall

15. would