Definition of Modal Auxiliary Verbs, Types, Examples and Worksheet

Hello everyone on this blog, I am sharing the content of the Definition of modal auxiliary verbs, their types, modal examples with sentences, and their functions. Which is very useful for classes 6 to 10. Below, we explain everything you need to. At the end of the blog, I try to cover the Worksheet/Excercise of modal with answers. 

Definition of Modal auxiliary Verbs: Modals are verbs that are used with other verbs to express possibility, permission, obligation, etc.

Modal auxiliary verbs Examples with Sentences 

1. He can play cricket.
2. She may qualify for the national.
3. You need to know about it.
4. She could do it now.
5.  He might be late today.

Uses of Modal Auxiliary verbs 

1. Uses of Can 

‘Can’ is used as given below :

To show ability and power :

1. He can play for India now.
2. He can do anything.
3. I can beat him
4. You can dance very well.
5. I can support him in this work now.

To express permission.

1. You can eat this chocolate with him.
2. Can I take some rest now?
3. Can I sit there now?
4. Can I talk to her for a minute?
5. You can go back now.

To express possibility:

1. The guests can arrive at any moment.
2. She is very punctual. She can not be late.
3. You can win the final match.
4. He can pass with good marks now.
5. I can cover this topic myself.

2. Uses of Could

Here are some examples of “Could”. Basically, It is the past tense of can.

To show power or ability in the past.

1. She could dance very well in her youth. 
2. We could complete this target on time.
3. You could complete the project yourself.
4. I could beat him alone.
5. We could solve this question.

To show possibility and permission in past.

1. He could buy a cricket kit if he had money.
2. We could not touch our father’s books.
3. He could be a thief.
4. You could go back to your home.
5. I could talk to him yesterday.

Could is used in the polite request.

1. Could you please assist me?
2. Could you tell me the time?
3. Could you do it for me?
4. Could you solve this sum?
5. could you please come here?

3. Uses of May

‘May’ is used in such ways as given below

 How to use in permission or possibility.

1. May I go for drinking water? (Permission)
2. May I sit here now? (Permission)
3. May I talk to her for a minute? (Permission)
4. He may be a coward (Possibility) 
5. It may rain heavily. (Possibility)

To express wishes and prayers.

1. May you live long! (Wish)
2. May you be safe there! (Wish)
3. May you be healthy! (Wish)
4. May God bless you with a healthy baby soon! (Prayer)
5. May God bless you with happiness! (Prayer)

To express purpose.

1. We study so that we may pass the exam.
2. Hurry up so that we may reach in time.
3. We run so that we may become healthy
4. I practice so that I may become perfect.
5. I work hard so that I may be a successful person soon.

4. Uses of Might

‘Might’ is used in many ways. The past tense of may is might.

To show permission, possibility in the past.

1. The teacher told us that we might take lunch. (permission)
2. You might go back to your native country. (permission)
3. My teacher told me that you might take leave. (permission)
4. He might be good at his studies. (Possibility)
5. I might be going on holiday with my friends. (Possibility)

To express purpose in the past.

1. He put in a lot of effort to pass so that he might get admission to college.
2. I worked very hard so that I might succeed soon.
3. I prepared for the government Examination so that I might get a high pay job.
4.  She came here so that she might see you.
5. I applied the brakes so that I might save the pedestrian.

To make a request.

1. If possible, you might bring me a cup of tea.
2. You might help me with this work if you are available.
3. You might assist me with this homework.
4. you might bring me a glass of water if you don’t mind.
5. Condition allowing, they might be seeking favor from me.

5. Uses of Would

‘Would’ is used in the following ways. It is will’s past tense.

To show past habits and unreal conditions.

1. He would rise at 5 O’clock. (Past habit)
2. He would work for 8 hours continuously. (Past habit)
3. If I were a Prime Minister, I would change the country. (Unreal condition)
4. If he were in India, He would work for 8 hours continuously. (Unreal condition)
5. If you were an actor, you would become famous. (Unreal condition)

To make a polite request.

1. Would you lend me your pencil?
2. Would you give him my message?
3. Would you educate me about the share market?
4. Would you explain this topic again, please?
5. Would you assist me, please?

To denote activities in past, which were frequent or occurred from time to time:

1. He would teach his son every day.
2. She would send me greetings on my birthday.
3. He would surprise me on the Anniversary.
4. You would go for outings every month
5. You would go to the Water park in Summer.             

6. Uses of Should

‘Should’ is used in the following ways

To express duty and obligation.

1. The police should protect us. (Duty)
2. The doctor should reach on time. (Duty)
3. Teachers should provide extra classes to weak students. (Duty)
4. We should support our family. (Obligations)
5. You should respect your elders. (Obligation)

To show advice and suggestions.

1. They should follow the rules. 
2. You should take help. 
3. You should stop eating fast food.
4. You should be punctual.
5. You should gain knowledge right now.

7. Uses of Must

‘Must’ is used in the following ways

To show prohibition, compulsion.

1. You must not touch this mobile.
2. She must feel sorry for you
3. You must be on time from tomorrow.
4. You must finish this work by evening.
5. He must complete this today.

To show necessity or obligation.

1. The team must win the game.
2. You must play this match.
3. You must try this once.
4. You must write this letter right now.
5. He must win the competition.

8. Uses of Shall/Will

The following examples show how to use “Shall” and “Will”

1. Shall 1st person subject-I, We
2. You, he, she, it, and they are the 2nd and 3rd person subjects.
   But, to show the emphasis, they can be interchanged with each other.
   Therefore, using the auxiliary would be appropriate when one has to demonstrate resolve.
3. Will 1st person subject-I, we
   • We shall all die one day.
   • I will help the poor.
   • When will you come back?

Use of Will

1. He will call you soon.
2. She will inform you tomorrow.
3. You will understand the topic soon.
4. People will visit there tomorrow.
5. The police will arrive here soon.

Use of Shall

1. I shall not see him now.
2. We shall be there on time.
3. I shall do it by evening.
4. We shall assist you in this work
5. I shall not visit there alone now. 

9. Uses of Need

‘Need’ is used in the following ways

1. For our survival, we need food, air, water, clothing, and shelter.
2. They need not manipulate the files.
3. Need to express doubt
4. Need I go there?
5. Need we plan?

10. Uses of Dare 

To express a negation with interrogation.

1. How dare you talk to me like that?
2. I hardly dare speak against him.
3. How dare you say that?
4. I dare not argue with him.
5. How dare you do that?

11. Uses of Used to

To express a past habit.

1. She used to go to perform in movies or dramas.
2. I used to play football in 1995.
3. I used to study a lot but now I don’t.
4. You used to go there daily.
5. Ravi used to sleep a lot during English lectures.

To express a habit of the present that has its roots in the past.

1. My grandfather used to take sweets.
2. Things used to be very cheap during those days.
3. He used to fight with his brother on every matter.
4. You always used to disturb me during my examinations.
5. I used to play football with you. 

12. Uses of Ought to

It is used more or less like should. It is more emphatic than should be. It indicates:

Duty or obligation:

1. You ought to speak the truth.
2. You ought to follow traffic rules.
3. We ought to understand our social responsibilities.
4. You ought to respect your elders.
5. We ought to assist the poor.

To show advice and probability.

1. You ought to help the disabled person.
2. He has fully recovered from his illness. He ought to resume his work.
3. You ought to continue your job.
4. She ought to pursue her higher studies.
5. You ought to focus on your health

Modal Exercise with Answer

Worksheet 1. Use the appropriate modal auxiliary verbs to fill in the blanks.

1. _____ I sit down, sir? (May, might)
2. He _____ Be twenty next month. (Will, shall)
3. _____ You lend me your camera. (Can, could)
4. We _____ take care of our parents. (Could, ought to)
5. I _____ not Fight with Khali. (Can, might)
6. The child _____ be taken to hospital immediately. (Must, might)
7. _____ all your wishes come true in life. (May, might)
8. _____ I wake up at 5. (Shall, will)
9. He _____ Played hockey when he was a student. (Used to, dare)
10. He does not _____  To do it. (Dare, could)
11. You _____ work hard. (Should, need)
12. It is cloudy. It _____ raining. (Could, may)

Solution

1. May
2. Will
3. Could
4. Ought to
5. Can
6. Must
7. May
8. Shall
9. Used to
10. Dare
11. Should
12. May