English - Modals Grade 5

2. •MODAL VERBS SHOW POSSIBILITY,
INTENT, ABILITY, OR NECESSITY.
•MODAL VERBS ARE USED TO EXPRESS
CERTAIN HYPOTHETICAL CONDITIONS,
SUCH AS ADVISABILITY, CAPABILITY, OR
REQUESTS (THERE’S A FULL LIST IN THE
NEXT SECTION). THEY’RE USED
ALONGSIDE A MAIN VERB TO INFLECT ITS
MEANING.

3. MODAL VERBS ARE QUITE COMMON IN
ENGLISH; YOU’VE SEEN THEM IN ACTION
HUNDREDS OF TIMES EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T
KNOW WHAT THEY WERE CALLED. THE
MOST FREQUENTLY USED ONES ARE:
•CAN
•MAY
•MIGHT
•COULD
•SHOULD
•WOULD
•WILL
•MUST

5. Modal verb Function Example
Can • Indicate ability
• Indicate
possibility
• Indicate
permission
(informal)
• Make a request
(informal)
• Javi can play the
guitar.
• We can drive or
walk.
• You can borrow
that book.
• Can I have some
water?

6. EXERCISE
•Timothy (can/should) finish his homework
in time. (Ability)
•Dickson (can/must) can play for the team.
(Possibility)

7. Could • Past form of “can”
• Indicate
possibility
• Make a polite
request
• She could speak
French.
• You could become
a chef.
• Could you tell me
the time?

8. EXERCISE
•Timothy (could/should) finish his
homework in time. (possibility)
•(must/could) Dickson can play for the
team? (request)

9. May • Indicate possibility
• Indicate permission
(formal)
• Make a request
(formal)
• Dana may arrive
late.
• You may enter.
• May I respond?

10. EXERCISE
•Timothy (shall/may) finish his homework
in time. (possibility)
•(may/could) Dickson play for the team?
(formal request)

11. Might • Indicate
possibility
• I might order pizza.
Must • Indicate
obligation
• Indicate
likelihood
• Cyclists must wear
helmets.
• You must be very
proud.

12. EXERCISE
•Timothy (shall/must) finish his homework
in time. (Obligation)
•(might/must) Dickson play for the team?
(possibility)

13. Shall • Indicate a future action
(normally used only with
“I” and “we”)
• Ask a question (normally
used only with “I” and
“we”)
• I shall attend.
• Shall we arrange a
meeting?
Should • Make a suggestion
• Indicate likelihood
• You should watch that
film.
• Tom should be at the
office.

14. EXERCISE
•Timothy (shall/must) finish his homework
in time. (future action)
•Dickson (should/must) play for the team?
(suggestion)

15. Will • Indicate a future
action or event
• Make a polite
request
• Fani will book the
venue.
• Will you get the
door?
Would • Past form of “will”
• Make a polite
request
• She would often
work late.
• Would you call
back later?

16. EXERCISE
•(will/must) Timothy finish his homework
in time. (future action)
•Dickson (should/would) play for the team?
(polite request)

17. 1.I __ ARRANGE THE FLOWERS FOR THE BOUQUET. (WILL/CAN)
2.__ I BORROW THIS PEN FROM YOU? (MAY/WILL)
3.THE TEACHER __ ASK YOU TO BRING THE HOMEWORK. (MIGHT/SHOULD)
4.ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER FORECAST, IT ___ SNOW HEAVILY
TOMORROW. (MAY/MUST)
5.RAJ HASN’T STUDIED WELL. HE __ FAIL HIS EXAM. (MIGHT/SHALL)
6.YOU __ FOLLOW THE TRAFFIC RULES. (MAY/MUST)
7.IT __ BE DIFFICULT TO LIVE AMIDST WAR. (SHOULD/MUST)
8.__ YOU SHOW ME THE ROAD TO THE MARKET? (COULD/MIGHT)
9.THE CHILD __ BE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. (MUST/MIGHT)
10.___ YOU HAVE HOT CHOCOLATE? (SHALL/WILL)
ABILITY
PERMISSION
POSSIBILITY
POSSIBILITY
POSSIBILITY
OBLIGATION
REQUEST
OBLIGATION
REQUEST
POSSIBILITY/OBLIGATION

18. 1.I __ ARRANGE THE FLOWERS FOR THE BOUQUET. (WILL/CAN)
2.__ I BORROW THIS PEN FROM YOU? (MAY/WILL)
3.THE TEACHER __ ASK YOU TO BRING THE HOMEWORK. (MIGHT/SHOULD)
4.ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER FORECAST, IT ___ SNOW HEAVILY
TOMORROW. (MAY/MUST)
5.RAJ HASN’T STUDIED WELL. HE __ FAIL HIS EXAM. (MIGHT/SHALL)
6.YOU __ FOLLOW THE TRAFFIC RULES. (MAY/MUST)
7.IT __ BE DIFFICULT TO LIVE AMIDST WAR. (SHOULD/MUST)
8.__ YOU SHOW ME THE ROAD TO THE MARKET? (COULD/MIGHT)
9.THE CHILD __ BE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. (MUST/MIGHT)
10.___ YOU HAVE HOT CHOCOLATE? (SHALL/WILL)
ABILITY
PERMISSION
POSSIBILITY
POSSIBILITY
POSSIBILITY
OBLIGATION
POSSIBILITY/OBLIGATION
REQUEST
OBLIGATION
REQUEST