MODAL VERBS

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs) like can, could, may, might, will, would,
must, shall, should, ought to. Modal verbs add meaning to the main verb in a sentence by expressing
possibility/probability, ability, permission, or obligation.

Probability:
First, they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something happened / is
happening / will happen. We often call these 'modals of deduction' or 'speculation' or 'certainty' or
'probability'.
For example:
 It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside.
 I don't know where John is. He could have missed the train.
 This bill can't be right. £200 for two cups of coffee!

Ability
We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability.
For example:
 She can speak six languages.
 My grandfather could play golf very well.
 I can't drive.

Obligation and Advice

We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'should' to say when something is necessary or unnecessary, or to
give advice.
For example:
 Children must do their homework.
 We have to wear a uniform at work.
 You should stop smoking.

Permission
We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for and give permission. We also use modal
verbs to say something is not allowed.
For example:
 Could I leave early today, please?
 You may not use the car tonight.
 Can we swim in the lake?

Habits
We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits or things we usually do, or did in the past.
For example:
 When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my flat.
 John will always be late!

EXERCISE 1:
Use ‘should/must/ought to’ appropriately in the following sentences.

1. The students………… respect their teacher.

2. Every student……….. carry his or her id-card during the examination.
3. You……….. keep away from bad habits like teasing girls, copying in exams etc.
4. Madhur seems to be quite exhausted. She……. take some rest.
5. What you are doing these days is a wild goose chase. You……… rather concentrate on
your own project.
6. Sejal has searched the file everywhere, but didn’t find it. I think, it……….. be in the
almirah at the drawing room.
7. Many new investors have started popping up these days. The stock exchange
rates…………….. go on rising in coming few days.
8. Every citizen of the country…………………. respect and obey its Constitution.
9. I………. say that he is a fool.
10. One……………. not disregard a religion that one does not follow.

EXERCISE:2:In each of the following sentences, provide the blanks with suitable modal of
permission, ability, possibility, probability etc according to the context of the sentences.

1) Ruchira is ill today. She……………… not come to school.

2) ……… I talk to Ms Shailaja, please?
3) The sky is not clear today. The flight to Goa………. be delayed.
4) If you believe in yourself, you…………… definitely do it.
5) …………..I request you for your name madam?
6) The lid of the box is very tightly fixed. ………………..you help me to open it?
7) When Riya called up, Shreshth was not home. He………. be there at his friend’s home.
8) Nicky, you………………. wait for the Director in the lobby. He………….. be here in 20-30
minutes.
9) Driving without putting on the seat belt……… really prove to be harmful.
10) He………….. solve even complex mathematics in a jiffy.

EXERCISE:3: Complete the sentences with a modal verb from the box below. Sometimes
more than one answer is possible.
[CAN - CAN'T – CAN'T HAVE - COULD – COULD HAVE - DON'T HAVE – HAD BETTER – MIGHT -
MUST – MUST HAVE - MUSTN'T – NEED - OUGHT –SHOULDN'T]

1. You ___________________ be exhausted after your long trip. Come in and have a drink.
2. John ___________________ taken your car keys. He hasn't even left the house.
3. I won't go out this afternoon because the weather forecast is not very good, and I
___________________ get wet.
4. You ___________________ to apply for the job yet. You can do it later this week.
5. I ___________________ left my wallet in the car. I can't find it anywhere.
6. That ___________________ be Jake. It's impossible. He said he was going to Spain.
7. You ___________________ step into the headmaster's office without permission.
8. Tell your sister she ___________________ stay the night here if she wants to.
9. You have already drunken a glass of wine. You ___________________ not drive. Let me.
10.You ___________________ see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre when you go to Paris.
11.I ___________________ to take orders from you. You're not my boss!
12.When I was younger, I ___________________ run very fast.
13.Your cold is getting worse and you have a runny nose. You ___________________ to see
the doctor.
14.My husband is preparing dinner. He's not a good cook so you ___________________
expect anything special.
15.Don't leave your window open at night. Someone ___________________ climb in.
16.Brenda ___________________ be over thirty. She graduated a year after me and I'm only
26.
17.You ___________________ to come with me. I can manage on my own.
18.She ___________________ got lost. Otherwise, she'd be here by now.
19.You must be more careful. You ___________________ been killed crossing the street
without looking.
20. I didn't ___________________ to buy more groceries. We already had enough.