Institute of British Culture

English Department
2nd Grade

Modal Verbs
ENGLISH GRAMMAR – SECOND SEMMESTER

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs)

What are modal verbs? that we use to express an opinion about whether something
is probable or possible. We also use them when talking
about ability, asking for permission, or making a request.

 They never change their form. You can't add "s", "ed", "ing"...
IMPORTANT TO KNOW …  They are always followed by an infinitive without "to".
 They are used to indicate modality allow speakers to express
certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability.

LOOK AT THE TABLE !

MODAL VERB EXPRESSING EXAMPLE
Strong obligation You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
must Logical conclusión/ He must be very tired. He’s been working all day
Certainty long.
must not Prohibition You must not smoke in the hospital.
Ability I can swim.
can Permission Can I use your phone please?
Possibility Smoking can cause cancer.
Ability in the past When I was younger I could run fast.
could Polite permission Excuse me, could I just say something?
Possibility It could rain tomorrow!
Permission May I use your phone please?
may
Possibility, Probability It may rain tomorrow!
Polite permission Might I suggest an idea?
might
Possibility, Probability I might go on holiday to Australia next year.
50 % Obligation I should see a doctor. I have a terrible
headache.
should Advice You should revise your lessons
Logical conclusion He should be very tired. He's been working all
day long.
Request / Offer Would you like a cup of tea?
would
 REMEMBER THAT . .
 Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without "to".
EXAMPLES: - You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
- You should see to the doctor.

 Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs. They do not need an additional auxiliary in negatives
or questions.
EXAMPLES: - Must I come? CORRECT
- Do I must come? INCORRECT
- He shouldn't smoke CORRECT
- He doesn't should smoke INCORRECT

LET’S CHECK THE STRUCTURES:

AFFIRMATIVE

NEGATIVE

INTERROGATIVE
 Let’s Practice!
I. Read the following sentences and choose the modal verb which fits
better. (1 point each)

1. Don’t forget to take an 4. He ____ speak Spanish fluently.

umbrella. It ____ rain later. He’s been there for only a week.

a) might a) can’t
b) can b) can
c) should c) could
2. I’ve just bought a lottery ticket. 5. ‘Where can I find Luke?’ ‘He ____
I ____ become rich soon. be in the garden.’

a) must a) is allowed to
b) could b) may
c) am allowed to c) doesn’t have to
3. Betty ____ be ill. I’ve just seen 6. ‘Whose pen is it?’ ‘I’m not sure.
her. It ____ be Sandra’s.

a) can a) has to
b) can’t b) must
c) has to c) might

II. Fill in the blanks using MUST, SHOULD, MIGHT or CAN. (1 point each)

1. Harry and Kevin _________________ be good players. They have won

hundreds of cups !
2. I’m not sure where my daughter is at the moment. She _________________ be
at her dance class.
3. Dad _________________ go and see a doctor. His cough is getting worse all
the time.
4. You don’t have to shout. I _________________ hear you very well.

FECHA MAX. DE ENTREGA: VIERNES 23 DE OCTUBRE

Recuerda que puedes desarrollar estos ejercicios a través de la plataforma Google Classroom o
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