Grade 5
MODALS
A verb (such as can, could, shall, should, ought to, will, or would) that is usually used
with another verb to express ideas such as possibility, necessity, and permission is
called as Modals
Most Commonly Used Modals
The following are the most commonly used modals.
Present form Past form
Can Could
Must Ought to
Shall Should
May Might
Have to Need
Will Would
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Grade 5
MODALS
Can
“Can" is used in the following context:
1. Ability to do a job or work:
Ex.: I can do this sum.
2. Possession of specific power:
Ex.: Only Principal can grant him leave.
3. Sanction:
Ex.: You can go out without pass.
4. Permission or request:
Ex.: Can you do this?
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Grade 5
MODALS
Could
"Could" is the past form of can. "Could" is used in the following context:
1.Possibility:
Ex.: Ava could top the class.
2. Request:
ex.: Could you help me?
3. Advice:
ex.: You could always take healthy drinks.
4. Condition:
Ex.: If you could work hard, you would pass.
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Grade 5
MODALS
May
"May" can be used in the following context:
1. Requesting and/or granting:
ex.: You may go now.
2. Possibility:
Ex.: It may rain tonight.
3. Desire of fervent wish:
Ex.: May god help you!
4. Pointed question:
Ex.: How old may this boy be?
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Grade 5
MODALS
Might
"Might" is the past form of May. It can be used in the
following context:
1. A state of fear:
Ex.: I might cut my finger.
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Grade 5
MODALS
Must
"Must" is used in the following context:
1. Compulsion or obligation:
Ex.: When you are studying, you must
concentrate.
2. Requirement or Prerequisite:
Ex.: You must read the school in time.
3. First person insistence:
Ex.: I must finish my homework.
4. Determination:
Ex.: I must top the class.
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Grade 5
MODALS
Ought to
"Ought to" can be used in the following context:
1. Obligation or Duty:
Ex.: We ought to love our country.
2. Desirability:
Ex.: You ought to have been there.
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Grade 5
MODALS
Have to
"Have to" can be used in the following
context:
1. compulsion:
Ex.: You have to do it.
Note: "Must not", "ought not" and "have not to" are the
negative forms of Must, ought to and Have to.
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PRACTICE
Q. Complete the sentences with correct verb.
1. When will you ________visit us in our new house?
a. be able to b. Can c. Must
2. I ________ help you with your homework because you have a lot of doubts.
a. ought to b. Ought c. Thought
3. I _______ go now because I am already late for my exam.
a. must b. Had c. Have
4. April may ________ go to her hometown next week because there is a function there.
a. Have b. Have to c. Had
5. Joey ________ go to see the doctor last week because he was very sick.
a. Must b. Must to c. Had to
PRACTICE
Q. Choose a modal from the list below to accurately complete each sentence.
can’t Mightn’t Would Should Ought to Won’t
Shall not May Might Mayn’t Could not Wouldn’t
1. The government ________ protect its citizens from invasions
2. Max __________ check his dog Lola for ticks since she was running around in the high
grass.
3. The detective ________ believe the suspect would just blurt out, “ I did it.”
4. You ________ find an alligator this for north.
5. The government ________ protect its citizens from invasions
6. Eva _______ miss her dance class because she has a solo in the show next week.
PRACTICE
Q. Circle the modal verb in each sentence given below.
1. I can speak a little French.
2. I must go now?
3. Could you pass me the ketchup?
4. He shall bring the food very soon.
5. You should stop smoking because it is bad for you.
6. Can you help me lift the couch?
7. We can definitely win the championship game.
8. I can play basketball very well.
9. It must be very cold on the east coast.
10. May I sit down now?
PRACTICE
Q. For each sentence, choose between can’t, might, or must to fill each space
1. To give the promotion to Harold was silly. He _________ know much about this company
after only a year working here.
2. That couple ________think much of this film. They’re leaving already after only 20
minutes.
3. I don’t know why I am so tired these days. I __________ be working too hard. Or maybe I
am not sleeping too well.
4. Go and look in the kitchen for your gloves. They _________ be in there.
5. That’s the second new car they have bought this year. They __________ be very rich!
6. Do you know where Eva is ? He _______ be out – his car keys are on the table.
7. Joey has been drinking that whiskey since early this afternoon. He ________ be totally
drunk by now.
8. That couple ________ think much of this film. They’re leaving already after only 20
minutes.
PRACTICE
Q. Fill in the missing modal verb.
Must(n’t) can(n’t) have to ( don’t have to ),
had to ( didn’t have to ) could( n’t ) was / wasn’t able to
1. She ________ to stay after work yesterday so she decided to go out with friends.
2. ___________you help me with my bags?
3. They have got a huge house. They _______ be rich.
4. They _________ be married. They are too young.
5. I _________ to walk to school. My dad gives me aa lift.
6. Max __________ run very fast when he was 20.
7. I ________ tidy my room. My room said so.
8. ________ I take your pen? No, you ___________ I need it myself.
9. I _______ go to the party today. I _______ get ready for a test.
10.You ________ walk on the grass in the park.
PRACTICE
Q. Fill in the missing modal verb.
Can, can’t, could, couldn’t, may, may not,
might, might not should shouldn’t must mustn’t
1. The teacher said we _________ read this book for a book report.
2. People _______ walk on the grass.
3. Max doesn’t see well. He _________ wear glasses.
4. I was happy that Jack _________ go to the party last night.
5. It’s a hospital. You ________smoke.
6. You ________ go out in the rain without a coat.
7. All soldiers __________ wear uniforms.
8. You _________ wear a hat in the sun. it’s very important.
PRACTICE
Q. Read each sentence & choose what function the modal verb has in that sentence:
1. Can ______________ I help you cook dinner?
2. You could ____________ try joining a gym to get fitter.
3. Could __________ you do me a favour?
4. Let’s ____________ have a picnic today.
5. You must _____________ starts exercising more frequently.
6. Can ______________ I help you cook dinner?
7. You should ____________ see a doctor ass soon as possible.
8. Can ________ you buy me a drink when you go to the store ?
9. Can _____________ I use your pen?
10. Will __________ you help me with my homework?
