Modals
What are Modals?
Modals are helping verbs that express the mood or attitude of the speaker. They show
ability, possibility, permission, necessity, obligation, etc.
Modals are always used with the base form of the main verb.
Modal Function Example
Can. Ability, permission I can solve this problem.
Could Past ability, polite request Could you help me?
May Permission, possibility May I come in?
Might Weak possibility It might rain today.
Shall Suggestion, future (1st person) Shall we go now?
Should Advice, obligation You should drink more water.
Will Future certainty, willingness I will call you later.
Would Polite request, imaginary action Would you like some tea?
Must Strong necessity, command You must wear a seatbelt.
Ought to Moral duty We ought to respect our elders.
Need Necessity Need you speak now?
Used to Past habit He used to play cricket every evening.
Dare Challenge He dare not lie to his father.
Have to Firm Necessity We have to follow the school rules
Worksheet 1: Modals
Fill in the blanks with suitable modals.
(Use: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must)
1. She ____ finish the work by tomorrow, or there will be consequences.
2. You ____ not enter the lab without wearing safety gear.
3. He ____ play the guitar very well when he was in school.
4. It’s cloudy; it ____ rain later today.
5. ____ I borrow your book for the weekend?
6. We ____ obey the rules if we want to maintain discipline.
7. He ____ be the one who took your notebook. He was sitting there.
8. You look tired. You ____ take some rest.
9. The train is about to leave. We ____ hurry!
10. No one ____ disturb the speaker during the session.
11. I knew he was tired, yet he said he ____ manage to finish it.
12. Students ____ be respectful to teachers at all times.
13. The door is stuck. I ____ not open it alone.
14. She ____ be able to attend the meeting if she finishes early.
15. He ____ not lie to save himself.
16. How ____ you speak to your teacher like that?
17. We ____ meet the deadline, even if it means working late.
18. He ____ drive a car when he was just 15.
19. ____ you please help me with this luggage?
20. You ____ speak louder. The mic isn’t working.
Worksheet 2: Semi-Modals
Fill in the blanks with suitable semi-modals.
(Use: ought to, used to, need to, have to)
1. You ____ speak the truth even when it’s difficult.
2. We ____ take care of our elders.
3. He ____ play cricket every Sunday when he was young.
4. She ____ speak politely to the guests.
5. I don’t ____ explain myself to those who don’t listen.
6. They ____ follow the hostel rules without fail.
7. You ____ not ignore the instructions given.
8. When I was in school, we ____ wear white uniforms on Wednesdays.
9. He ____ finish the project before the deadline.
10. Students ____ bring their textbooks every day.
