Modal verbs in English: examples and rules

Exercises About Modality Advanced Level

Modal Verbs in English: Understanding and Practical Examples

Modal verbs play a crucial role in mastering English as they help express ability, necessity, obligation, probability, and advice. In this article, we’ll explore the main modal verbs, their meanings, and their correct usage in sentences. This topic is essential for students looking to improve their English grammar skills and prepare for international exams like IELTS or TOEFL.

Test Your Knowledge of Modal Verbs

Before diving into the theory, we suggest starting with a quick exercise to solidify your understanding of modal verbs. Testing yourself first helps you gauge your knowledge and boosts confidence in using modal verbs in everyday speech. Take our free quiz to check and improve your skills.

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Practice. Modality Advanced Level (quiz, test)

I knew that Marcus didn’t have much money, but he has just bought a new car. He ____ the money from someone.

____ I get some plates while you are cutting the cake?

I refused to give my son any money for the “Mega Death” sweatshirt he wants to buy, but I’m sure he’ll try to get some from his grandmother. I’d really rather she ____ him the money because I don’t want him to wear such an awful thing.

You knew that we had to walk a long way today, so you really ____ those high heeled shoes. You only have yourself to blame for your aching feet.

Oh no, look at the sign! We ____ here. These spaces are for doctors and emergency patients only.

Living cells exist in a variety of shapes; for example, they ____ cube-shaped or flat

You ____ all your holiday money on the first day. You will need some for the rest of the week.

He ____ handball quite often, but his new job requires him to travel a lot now, so he doesn’t have time anymore.

We ____ the football match on television yesterday, but we ____ because there was a power cut.

Why did you bother so much trying to change your money? You ____ it, you know, as they accept US dollars in Mexico.

Would you mind ____ your cigarette smoke in my face? It’s getting on my nerves.

It’s not easy learning Turkish at home. Do you think I ____an evening course?

Using lasers to produce extremely short and repeatable pulses of light, today scientists ____ events happening in time intervals as short as 1,000 trillionths of a second.

I’d rather ____the match on television than here in the pouring rain. I’m sure we’ll all catch a cold!

You ____ for the cocktail party after the conference if you are worried about arriving home late.

Cellulose is indigestible by humans, but herbivores, such as cows and horses, ____ it because they retain it long enough for digestion by micro-organisms present in their digestive system.

You ____ your jacket on a clothes hanger and not leave it on the chair. You’ll crease it!

He ____ safety goggles, but he wasn’t and, as a result, the hot steel badly damaged his eyes.

In parts of Africa, women still ____ water a long way to their village.

We ____ anything tonight. We ____ the leftovers from yesterday’s dinner party

You ____ your children some freedom; otherwise, they will resent you.

I ____ my car last week if I had accepted James’ offer. He offered me two thousand dollars for it, but I wanted more.

It’s a long journey and there may not be any restaurants on the way. You ____ something before you leave.

I think Victoria ____ to the party although she really wants to because she is flying to Paris the next day and has to pack her things.

The weather is awful again today. Let’s look in the newspaper. There ____ a good film showing at the cinema.

You ____ this report to the managing director personally. Do you understand?

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What Are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are special auxiliary verbs that do not change form according to the subject or tense and are used to express various modalities such as ability, obligation, or permission.

Here is a list of the main modal verbs:

  • Can – expresses ability or permission.
  • Could – expresses past ability or a polite request.
  • May – used to express probability or permission.
  • Might – indicates lower probability.
  • Must – expresses obligation or strong certainty.
  • Should – gives advice or recommendations.
  • Shall – used for proposals or future actions.
  • Will – expresses certainty or promises.
  • Would – used in conditional sentences and for polite requests.

The Importance of Modal Verbs in Communication

Knowing modal verbs helps you:

  • Express assumptions or probability: He must be tired after such a long flight.
  • Give advice: You should see a doctor.
  • Make polite requests: Could you help me, please?
  • Express permission or prohibition: You may leave the room.

How to Use Modal Verbs in Sentences

1. Can

“Can” is used to express ability, possibility, or permission.

  • Ability: It indicates someone’s capacity to do something.
  • Permission: It shows that someone is allowed to do something.

Examples:

  • I can swim very well.
  • You can leave early today if you finish your work.

2. Could

“Could” is the past tense of “can” and is used to express past ability or polite requests.

  • Past ability: Indicates something was possible in the past.
  • Polite request: Used for making polite inquiries.

Examples:

  • He could run faster when he was younger.
  • Could you please open the window?

3. May

“May” is used to express permission or possibility.

  • Permission: When granting or asking for permission.
  • Possibility: Indicates something might happen in the future.

Examples:

  • You may go now.
  • It may rain later today.

4. Might

“Might” is a less certain form of “may” and is used to express a weaker possibility.

  • Low probability: Indicates that something could happen, but it’s not very likely.

Example:

  • She might come to the party, but she’s not sure yet.

5. Must

“Must” is used to express strong obligation or high certainty.

  • Obligation: Indicates something necessary.
  • Certainty: Used when you are sure something is true.

Examples:

  • You must wear a seatbelt while driving.
  • She must be at home; the lights are on.

6. Should

“Should” is used to express advice or recommendation.

  • Advice: Helps suggest something beneficial or correct.

Examples:

  • You should eat more vegetables.
  • He should see a doctor about his cough.

7. Shall

“Shall” is used for making proposals or talking about future actions, primarily in formal situations or questions.

  • Proposal: Used to suggest or ask if something should be done.
  • Future actions: Denotes future actions in a more formal tone.

Examples:

  • Shall we go for a walk?
  • I shall contact you tomorrow.

8. Will

“Will” is used to express intentions or promises. It also denotes future actions in everyday speech.

  • Intentions and promises: Used to indicate someone’s willingness or commitment to do something.
  • Future actions: The most common way to talk about future actions.

Examples:

  • I will help you with your homework.
  • They will travel to Spain next summer.

9. Would

“Would” is used in conditional sentences and for polite requests or offers.

  • Conditional sentences: Used when one event depends on another.
  • Polite requests: Often employed to make polite inquiries or offers.

Examples:

  • If I were you, I would take that job.
  • Would you like some tea?

Modal verbs are an integral part of English that allow you to express meaning clearly, share opinions, and give advice. It’s essential to understand how to use them properly to make your speech more flexible and precise. After reading this article, you’ll be confident in using modal verbs both in everyday communication and in written English.

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