Modals: definition,types and examples. For classes VII & VIII

1. Sukhbir Kaur

2. Modal is a type of auxiliary or
helping verb that is used to
indicate modality i.e. ability,
permission, obligation etc.

3. May
Might
Must
Can
Could
Should
Ought to

4.  These are never used alone . Always used
with main verb.
John can play football
Modal
Main
verb

5. They do not take ‘-s’ in the third
person in present form.
Ria sings a song
Ria can sing a song.
Ria cans sing a song

6. Negatives are formed by putting
negative word not immediately after
modal.
Example:
• He may not come to school.
• We should not make noise.

7. Questions can be formed by placing
modal just before subject.
Example:
 May I sit here?
 Can we play now?

8. May is used for future
possibility, permission or
wish .
It may rain today.
(Possibility)
May I go home now?
(Permission)
May you have a long life!
(Wish)

9. Might is past of may.
It is used for possibility or
permission.
The train might be
late.
I asked if I might see
him the next day.

10. Must is used to express:
• Compulsion ,
• Determination,
• Duty.
A soldier must be loyal.
(Duty)
We must obey the rules.
(Compulsion)
We must get our money back.
(Determination)

11. 1. _________ I use your pen? (might/ may)
2. A judge _______ be upright. (must/may)
3. He ______ be absent today. (must/ might)
4. We _______ finish our work today. (may/
must)

12. Can is used to express:
• Ability,
• Possibility and
• Permission.
Ria can sing well. (Ability)
We can make mistakes.
(Possibility)
You can go after the
lunch.(Permission)

13. Could is used to express
past possibility or ability.
She could run fast when
she was a child.

14. Should is used for :
 Advice and
 Suggestion
You should read
this book.
You should eat
healthy food.

15. It is used to express moral duty or obligation.
You ought to respect
your elders.
We ought to love our
parents.

16.  Fill in the blanks using appropriate modal:
1. Rahul ____ dance well. (Can, Could)
2. _____ I have your pencil? (May, Could)
3. You ______ avoid junk food.(should, may)
4. She _____ play well when she was young.( can
, could)
5. He ______ respect his country. (ought to, may)
6. My granny _____ speak French. (could, should)
7. We ___ obey the natural laws.( Might, must)