CONVENT OF GAGAN BHARTI CLASS – X SUBJECT- ENGLISH GRAMMAR

TOPIC – MODALS PREPARED BY- MR CHARAT RAJ

MODALS – Modals are the finites which express the mode, mood or manner of the
actions denoted in the Principal Verb. The modals express mood or attitude of the
speaker.
e.g. will, would, can, could, may, might, shall, should, need, ought to, care etc.
I form II form
Positive form Negative form Positive Form Negative Form
Will won't Would wouldn't
May mayn't Might mightn't
Shall shan't Should shouldn't
Can can't Could couldn't
Need needn't Needed to Needed not to
Ought to Oughtn’t to
Dare daren't Dared Dared not to
Used to Used not to.

NATURE OF MODALS
1) Modals are never used alone.
2) They don't change according to the number of person of the subject.
3) Modals don't have the infinitive form.
4) The main verb used with Modals, should be in present form.
USAGE AND EXAMPLES OF MODALS
MODALS USAGE/ WHERE EXAMPLES
USED/EXPRESSES
Can Ability,capacity,power 1. She can swim.
2. I can grant you leave.
Seek/ grant permission 1. Can I sit here?
Could Polite request Could you lend me your bicycle?
May Possibility It may rain today.
Prayer / wish May you live long!
Purpose We eat so that we may live.
Might Less possibility He might help us.
Will Promise, willingness, 1.He will help you.
determination( first 2. I will give you a gift of your
person) choice.
Would Past habit, imaginary 1. My father would get up early
condition, ask desire in the morning.
2. I would have a big house.
3. What would you have- a tea
or a coffee?

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CONVENT OF GAGAN BHARTI CLASS – X SUBJECT- ENGLISH GRAMMAR
TOPIC – MODALS PREPARED BY- MR CHARAT RAJ
Shall Warning, command, 1. If you sit with bad boys, you
promise, determination shall be punished.
2nd 3rd person) 2. You shall go now.
3. She shall get a scooty.
Should Advice, with lest, duty 1. You should help your friends.
2. Run fast lest you should miss
the train.
3. You should respect your elders.
Need Necessity, obligation Need I speak to him?
Dare boldness, courage How dare you abuse me?
Used to Past habit He used to drink daily.
Ought to Moral obligation We ought to respect our elders.
Must Emphatic advice, strong 1. You are sick. You must see a
possibility doctor.
2. It must be Ramesh.
Has to/ Obligation/ compulsion in I have to reach school early.
have to present
Had to Obligation/ compulsion in Yesterday I didn't get a bus. So I had
past to take a cab.
EXERCISES
Q 1 Fill in the blanks with the appropriate Modals:
a. I ………open this lock.
b. If I had the money, I ………. buy the ornaments.
c. ………. you show me your pen?
d. We …….. respect our elders.
e. We ……. stand united.
f. …….. I ask you a riddle?
g. One ……..keep one's promise.
h. He prayed that he ……. live long.
i. Work hard so that you …….. pass.
j. Start now lest you ……. miss the flight.
k. But for your help, I ………. have failed.
2. Edit the following passage. Incorrect correct
Gandhiji could lead a very disciplined life. (a) …………. ……………..
In his ripe old age, he might walk for miles and. (b)…………. …………….
should leave youngsters far behind. Whenever. (c) …………. ……………..
he wrote, he could use his own hand and (d) …………. …………………
not get the matter typed. (e) ………… ………….
Q 3. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate Modals from the choice provided:

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CONVENT OF GAGAN BHARTI CLASS – X SUBJECT- ENGLISH GRAMMAR
TOPIC – MODALS PREPARED BY- MR CHARAT RAJ
You (a)………. come to school in proper uniform. You (b) ………..make it a habit to
visit the library in your vacant periods. You (c)……. borrow the books of your
choice. But spoiling the books (d) …….. be avoided at any cost. Tearing off pages or
underlining the passages (e) ………..be seriously dealt with . Remember, you
(f)…….behave like gentlemen to be worthy student of the school.
a. Can/must/ may /could
b. May/will/ would/should
c. Cannot./ can /will/would
d. Must/ may/ will/ would
e. Can/ cannot/shall/ may
f. Must/ may/ would/ will
Q 4. Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals:-

a) _______I borrow your pencil, please?

b) There _______be a number of people at the airport today.
c) I _______reach the restaurant in five minutes.

d) We______ postpone the picnic to next week?

e) She_______ never eat so much again.
f) You __________report this matter to your boss immediately.
g) The government________ consider increasing the number of schools in this
village.
h) I ______see you tomorrow again?

Q 5 Fill in the blanks with the appropriate modals:-

Mohan is not keeping well nowadays. He (a) ……………….. see the doctor
immediately. He (b) ……………….. get well unless he visits a doctor. He (c)
……………….. be suffering from viral fever. He (d) ……………….. take proper medicine
and rest lest he (e) ……………….. fall seriously ill. It (f) ……………….. affect not only his
health but studies also.

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