MODAL VERBS

Revision
Can
I can cook Can you
dinner. pass me the
ketchup?
S
ABILITY WILLINGNES

N
PERMISSIO POSSIBILIT
Y

Can I use Intense light

your pencil? can hurt
your eyes.
Directions: Say how can is used in each sentence. Put A if it is
used to express
ability, W if it is used to express willingness, Per if it is used to
express permission
and Pos if it is used to express possibility.

A
1) I can tie my shoes
Per
2) Can I have a piece of gum?
Pos
3) If you ride a motorcycle, you can fall.
W
4) Can you get me a drink of water?
A
5) I can speak English well.
Per to.
6) He can use my basketball if he wants
Wwork?
7) Can they clean my car while I am at
A
8) Can squirrels fly?
9) It can snow if it gets veryPos
cold.
10) I can help you with your homework if W
you like.

Directions: Now make your own sentences using can.

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 POSSIBLITY
Jane could be at
the store right now.
He couldnt let me THE PAST
TENSE OF
have his pencil CAN
because he needed
it.
contraction couldnt.
The negative of can is could not or the
COULD
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary
modal verb in each sentence.
1) I (could, can) help you with your homework now.

2) Five years ago, I (cannot, couldnt) play the piano.

3) I (can, could) get an A on the test if I studied harder.

4) I (can, could) run ten miles if I train hard enough.

5) We (can, could) speak English well.

MAY
The negative of may is may not.

POSSIBILITY
I may become a
doctor.
PERMISSION
May I have a glass of
water?
MIGHT
. The negative of might is might not.

I might
become a
POSSIBILI
doctor
TY
when I
grow up,
but I
COMPARE
MIGH
MAY
T
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary
modal verb in each sentence.

1) When I grow up, I (may, might) become an engineer.

2) There is a small chance the we (may, might) go to the
beach this weekend.
3) There is a good change that we (might, may) have to
postpone the meeting.
4) Billy and I (may, might) cook dinner tonight.
5) The airplane (might, may) crash.
6) You never know, I (may, might) become president one
day.
7) (May, Might) I have a piece of bread please?
8) It (might, may) snow tonight, but I doubt it.
 MUST

DEDUCTIO My keys OBLIGATIO

N must be N : I must
around climb
here Mount
somewhere Everest.
.
HAVE TO
The negative of have is do not have to.

Yoko has to My mother

win this says that I
race to have to
advance to make my
Obligation
the next bed.
coming
STRONG
round. from an
BELIEF
external
source
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary modal
verb in each sentence.

1) My boss told me that I (have to, must) work overtime this

week.

2) I (must, have to) get my hair cut before the dance.

3) She (has to, must) pay monthly rent to live in her apartment.

4) Teds dad said that he (must, has to) clean his room before he
can play.

5) I (have to, must) buy those pretty red shoes.

6) The runner (has to, must) win the race to get a gold medal.
SHALL
The negative of shall is shall not or the
contraction shant.

PROPHE I shall
CY become a
doctor.

Tomorrow,
COMMAN you shall
D
climb to the
top of Mt.
Everest.
 Ideal ADVICE
situation You should see
I should get a doctor.
paid more for
the hard work
that I do.
the contraction shouldnt.
The negative of should is should not or
SHOULD
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary
modal verb in each sentence.

1) Mom thinks you (should, shall) clean your room.

2) Trains (shall, should) go faster.
3) This weekend (should, shall) be the best
weekend ever!
4) I (should, shall) be a writer when I get older.
5) Police (shant, shouldnt) be allowed to drive so
fast.
6) Our team (should, shall) have tried harder.
7) After you are finished washing my car, you
(shall, should) get me something to eat.
8) (Shall, Should) we be ready by ten?
WILL
The negative of will is will not or the
contraction wont

Volunteering:
I will cook dinner.

Future action:
I think I will go to
the beach this
Sunday.
WOULD
Conditional Politeness

I would get a
I would like
tan if I
more tea
worked at
please.
the pool.
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary
modal verb in each sentence.

1) My dog and I (would, will) go for walks when she was younger.

2) I (will, would) buy new shoes if I had enough money.

3) I am feeling tired. I think I (would, will) go to sleep now.

4) I (will, would) like more milk when you get a chance.

5) I dont think we (will, would) ever win the game.

6) If you get in trouble, I (wont, wouldnt) help you.

OUGHT TO/ HAD BETTER

ideal and somewhat

obligatory action.
I ought to become a doctor
because my father was a doctor.
ideal and somewhat
obligatory action.
He had better wash his hands
before he eats.
Write sentences in order to illustrate the
use of had better and ought to

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