Year 7 English: Use the Correct Modal Verb

In English, modal verbs are special verbs that help us express different meanings, like ability, permission, possibility, and obligation. Modal verbs include words like can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would. These verbs are unique because they are always followed by the base form of a verb (for example, “can go,” “should eat”).

What Are Modal Verbs?

1. Can / Could

These modal verbs are used to talk about ability, permission, and possibility.

• Can is used for things that are possible now or in the future.
• Example: “I can swim.” (ability)
• Example: “You can go outside.” (permission)
• Could is the past form of “can,” but it can also be used to show polite requests or suggestions.
• Example: “I could swim when I was five.” (ability in the past)
• Example: “Could you help me with this?” (polite request)

2. May / Might

These are used to talk about possibility or permission. “Might” is often used for weaker possibilities.

• May is used when something is likely to happen or when asking for or giving permission.
• Example: “You may leave the room.” (permission)
• Example: “It may rain later.” (possibility)
• Might is used when something is less likely to happen.
• Example: “It might snow tomorrow.” (possibility, but not certain)

3. Must

“Must” is used to talk about strong obligation (something you have to do) or to show certainty (when you are sure about something).

• Example: “You must wear a uniform to school.” (strong obligation)
• Example: “It’s late; she must be at home.” (certainty)

4. Shall / Should

These are used to talk about suggestions, advice, or obligations.

• Shall is often used in formal situations to offer or suggest something.
• Example: “Shall we go for a walk?” (suggestion)
• Should is used to give advice or talk about what is the right thing to do.
• Example: “You should do your homework.” (advice)
• Example: “People should eat healthily.” (general advice)

5. Will / Would

These are used to talk about the future or make requests.

• Will is used to talk about things that will definitely happen in the future or to make a promise.
• Example: “I will go to the party tomorrow.” (future)
• Example: “I will help you with your homework.” (promise)
• Would is used for polite requests, hypothetical situations, or things that would happen under certain conditions.
• Example: “Would you like some tea?” (polite offer)
• Example: “If I were rich, I would travel the world.” (hypothetical situation)

Key Rules for Using Modal Verbs

1. Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the main verb.

• Example: “I can swim.” (not “can swims”)

1. Modal verbs do not change form. There is no “s” or “ed” ending added to modal verbs.

• Example: “She must go,” not “She musts go.”

1. Modal verbs are used to express different meanings, such as:

• Ability: can, could
• Permission: can, may, might
• Possibility: might, may, could
• Obligation: must, should
• Requests/Offers: will, would, could, shall

Tips for Choosing the Right Modal Verb

• Use can to talk about things you’re able to do now or in the future.
• “I can ride a bike.”
• Use could to talk about things you were able to do in the past or to make polite requests.
• “I could run fast when I was younger.”
• Use may or might to talk about possibilities.
• “It might rain later.”
• Use must to talk about strong obligations or when you’re sure about something.
• “You must finish your homework.”
• Use should to give advice or suggestions.
• “You should study more.”
• Use will to talk about the future or promises.
• “I will visit you tomorrow.”
• Use would for polite requests or hypothetical situations.
• “I would go to the party if I had time.”

Questions

Easy Difficulty

1. What modal verb would you use to talk about ability in the present?
2. What modal verb would you use to ask for permission politely?
3. What is the past form of “can”?
4. Which modal verb would you use for a strong obligation?
5. Complete the sentence: “You __ go to the doctor if you feel sick.” (should/must)
6. What modal verb would you use to talk about the future?
7. Which modal verb is used to make polite offers, “will” or “would”?
8. Complete the sentence: “She __ sing beautifully.” (can/could)
9. What modal verb would you use to suggest something politely: “shall” or “must”?
10. What modal verb would you use to talk about a weak possibility?
11. Which modal verb is used for a certainty, “might” or “must”?
12. What modal verb would you use for a polite request?
13. Complete the sentence: “I __ help you with your homework.” (will/would)
14. What modal verb is used for giving advice?
15. Complete the sentence: “You __ finish your homework.” (should/must)
16. Which modal verb would you use to talk about past ability?
17. What modal verb would you use to ask permission: “can” or “should”?
18. What modal verb would you use to say something is possible: “can” or “might”?
19. What modal verb is used to make promises?
20. Complete the sentence: “If I were rich, I __ travel the world.” (would/will)

Medium Difficulty

1. What is the difference between “can” and “could” when talking about ability?
2. What modal verb would you use to give strong advice?
3. What is the difference between “may” and “might” when talking about possibilities?
4. Complete the sentence: “You __ ask for permission before leaving the classroom.” (should/must)
5. What modal verb would you use to make a suggestion: “shall” or “could”?
6. Which modal verb is used to express a future action?
7. Which modal verb expresses a weaker possibility: “may” or “might”?
8. Complete the sentence: “I __ go to the party if I have time.” (will/would)
9. What is the past form of “will”?
10. Which modal verb is used for polite requests: “shall” or “could”?
11. Complete the sentence: “They __ play football tomorrow.” (will/would)
12. What modal verb would you use for a polite offer: “can” or “shall”?
13. Complete the sentence: “You __ be careful when crossing the road.” (should/must)
14. What modal verb would you use for expressing permission in a formal situation?
15. Which modal verb expresses a strong obligation: “should” or “must”?
16. Complete the sentence: “I __ swim when I was 10 years old.” (can/could)
17. What modal verb is used to express a request politely?
18. Complete the sentence: “She __ go to university next year.” (might/must)
19. Which modal verb would you use to talk about a promise: “will” or “should”?
20. Complete the sentence: “I __ like a cup of tea, please.” (will/would)

High Difficulty

1. Explain when you would use “must” instead of “should.”
2. Complete the sentence with the correct modal verb: “If I had more time, I __ go to the cinema.” (would/will)
3. What modal verb would you use to talk about a future plan?
4. Which modal verb expresses a certainty: “might” or “must”?
5. Complete the sentence: “You __ speak quietly in the library.” (must/might)
6. In what situation would you use “could” instead of “can”?
7. Complete the sentence: “I __ go to bed early tonight.” (might/will)
8. Why would you use “would” instead of “will” when making a polite request?
9. Complete the sentence: “He __ be tired; he’s been working all day.” (must/might)
10. What modal verb expresses a weak possibility?
11. Complete the sentence: “They __ be here soon, but I’m not sure.” (must/might)
12. Why do we use “shall” in the sentence: “Shall we start the meeting?”
13. Complete the sentence: “I __ drive when I was 16.” (could/can)
14. What is the difference between “would” and “could” when making a polite offer?
15. Complete the sentence: “She __ finish her homework before going out.” (must/could)
16. What modal verb would you use for a strong obligation?
17. Complete the sentence: “They __ arrive soon; they left an hour ago.” (must/might)
18. What is the past form of “can”?
19. Complete the sentence: “If I were you, I __ speak to the teacher.” (should/will)
20. Why do we use “may” in the sentence: “You may leave now”?

Answers

Easy Difficulty

1. Can
2. Could
3. Could
4. Must
5. Should
6. Will
7. Would
8. Can
9. Shall
10. Might
11. Must
12. Would
13. Will
14. Should
15. Must
16. Could
17. Can
18. Might
19. Will
20. Would

Medium Difficulty

1. “Can” is used for present ability, while “could” is used for past ability.
2. Should
3. “May” is stronger than “might” when talking about possibilities.
4. Must
5. Shall
6. Will
7. Might
8. Would
9. Would
10. Could
11. Will
12. Shall
13. Must
14. May
15. Must
16. Could
17. Could
18. Might
19. Will
20. Would

High Difficulty

1. “Must” is for strong obligations, while “should” is for advice or recommendations.
2. Would
3. Will
4. Must
5. Must
6. Use “could” for polite requests or past ability.
7. Might
8. “Would” is more polite and less direct than “will.”
9. Must
10. Might
11. Might
12. “Shall” is used to make formal suggestions.
13. Could
14. “Would” is for hypothetical offers, and “could” is for past ability.
15. Must
16. Must
17. Must
18. Could
19. Should
20. “May” is used to give permission in a formal situation.