Modal verbs

Here is a list of modals with examples:

Modal Verb Expressing Example

Strong obligation You must stop when the traffic

lights turn red.
Obey norms/ laws/ commands

must logical conclusion / He must be very tired. He's been

working all day long.
strong feeling

prohibition You must not smoke in the hospital.

50 % obligation I should / (ought to) see a doctor. I

have a terrible headache.
should/ought
to
Advice /suggestion You should / (ought to) revise your
lessons

ability I can swim.

can Informal permission Can I use your phone please?

possibility Smoking can cause cancer.

ability in the past When I was younger I could run

fast.

could formal permission Excuse me, could I just say

something?

possibility It could rain tomorrow!

Polite Permission May I use your phone please?

may
+ possibility, probability It may rain tomorrow!

polite permission Might I suggest an idea?

might
- possibility, probability I might go on holiday to Australia
next year.
 make suggestions, offers or Shall we stay or go out?
ask for advice
Shall we dance?

Shall Shall I get his phone number if I

with I and We meet him?

What shall I do to get rid of my

acne?

Future tense auxiliary I will travel to Cusco this year

Will Invitations/offers Will you join us for coffee? Won’t
you come in?

past of will I thought we would be late, so

to talk about hypotheses
(when we imagine something)
for polite offers and requests.
Would
we would have to take the train.
If I had the money, I would buy a
new car.
You would lose weight if you took
more exercise.

Will you carry this for me, please?

Would you please be quiet?

Would you like a cup of coffee?

Will or would:
1. I _______ come if I have time.
2. _______ you like some tea?
3. I promise, I _______ quit smoking.
4. ‘There is the doorbell.’ ‘I _______ go.’
5. I didn’t expect that I _______ fail the test.
6. If I knew that you were in trouble, I _______ help you.
7. I hope I _______ get the job.
8. I _______ wake up early if there was a good reason to.
9. Do you think she _______ come if you invited her?
10. 1o. I don’t know whether I _______ have time tomorrow.
11. I _______ call you when dinner is ready.
12. Whom do you think _______ win?
Choose the right modal verb

1. It's a hospital. You    smoke.

2. He had been working for more than 11 hours. He        be tired

after such hard work. He        prefer to get some rest.

3. I        speak Arabic fluently when I was a child and we lived in

Morocco. But after we moved back to Canada, I had very little exposure to the

language and forgot almost everything I knew as a child. Now, I        

just say a few things in the language.

4. The teacher said we        read this book for our own pleasure as it
is optional.

5.        you stand on your head for more than a minute? No,

I       .

6. If you want to learn to speak English fluently, you        to work

hard.

7. Take an umbrella. It         rain later.

8. You        leave small objects lying around . Such

objects        be swallowed by children.

9. People        walk on grass.

10. Drivers       stop when the traffic lights are red.

11.        I ask a question? Yes, of course.

12.        you speak Italian? No, I        .

Complete with the correct modal verb( multiple answer)

1. Jonathan __________ ski really well and he often wins his races.
2. I __________ go to the party but I'm still not sure.
3. I think you __________ go out more and meet new people.
4. This is a secret between you and me, so we __________ tell anyone.
5. It's dangerous to go into deep water if you __________ swim.
6. I __________ go out later with my parents but I don't really know.
7. All passengers __________ remain in their seats and __________ use their
mobile phones.
8. __________ you please phone me in the evening?
9. To get a driving licence you __________ be over 18.
10. You __________ wear a uniform when you're in the army.
11. She __________ come with us because she's broken her leg.