This document provides examples of modal verbs and their uses. It contains sentences with missing modal verbs that must be filled in, as well as exercises matching modal verbs to their meanings and replacing expressions with modal verbs. Modal verbs are used to show abilities, permissions, possibilities and other concepts. The document is intended to teach about modal verbs and their appropriate uses in different contexts.

1. This is a multi-mood classroom! Read the sentences and learn about modals!
Why can’t this David, you can’t miss
I really like this teacher.
guy just shut up! the game after class! It’s
She must be the best
going to be something!
I’ve had! She surely is!
This might be
interesting if I
didn’t have this
terrible Mrs. Underwood,
toothache! may I answer the
question?
Can I answer the
question, too? I should
take a nap!
I’m really
sleepy!
This could take
us to the
Principal’s office! I Will you pass this
hope the teacher note to Vicky,
doesn’t see us! please?
Modal verbs may express different things, and their meaning vary according to the context of the sentence. They have no full
meaning like the other verbs, and so they are also called modal auxiliary verbs. Below, in the boxes, you will find their uses.
Modal verbs have no –s on the third person singular; they do not need auxiliary do to in the negative and interrogative and
)
after a modal verb there is always another verb in the infinitive without to (except ought to).
● ability or capacity ● ability or capacity
● permission ● past tense of may
● possibility (past)
● permission
● possibility ● polite request
● permission
p )
● prohibition (with not)
●ppossibility ● remote possibility
r
● prohibition ● obligation ● negative obligation ● moral obligation or
● impossibility
i ● deduction or logical ● prohibition desirability
c
conclusion ● advice
a ● advice

2. ● offer ● request
● past of will ● duty or moral
● suggestion ● offer
● habitual action in obligation
● threat, command (1st ● order
●ddetermination t
the past ● advice
a 2nd persons)
and
A) Now insert the adequate modal verb according to the clues given at the end of the sentences.
1. ________________________ we go to the cinema tonight? (SUGGESTION)
2. Children ______________________________ obey their parents. (MORAL OBLIGATION)
3. __________________________ you give your phone number? (REQUEST)
4. I really think you ____________________________ see a doctor. You have been ill for a whole week! (ADVICE)
5. Be alert, that ___________________ happen again! (POSSIBILITY)
6. When my father was young, we ____________________ go for a bike ride in the woods. (HABIT IN THE PAST)
7. That ____________________________ be Mary! She was at the supermarket just a while ago! (IMPOSSIBILITY)
8. It ____________________________ happen, but I doubt! (REMOTE POSSIBILITY)
B) Fill in the gaps with one of the following modal C) Match the sentences.
verbs: can, could, can’t, couldn’t. 1. You look tired.
2. You shouldn’t dive into the pool!
1. I __________ play the violin, but Sam ___________.
3. May I go to the toilet, Mrs. Underwood?
2. I ______________ sing when I was fourteen, but 4. I’m sure this is Tom.
now I______________. 5. I’m determined to go to university.
3. My classmates were speaking too loud and I
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
______________ hear what the teacher said.
a) You can’t swim!
4. Now I ______________ swim pretty well, but a year
b) I promise I will!
ago I ______________. c) You should get some sleep.
5. Cats _____________ run very fast, ________ they? d) Surely, but come back right away.
e) It must be him.
D) Replace the underlined expression by a modal verb and make the necessary transformations.
1. Mary was able to speak clearly when she was 18 7. It is forbidden to smoke in public places.
months. You ---------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. Children have permission to play outside.
2. Richard is likely to fail the school year. -------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. Sara missed school today so she surely is ill.
3. Sebastian is able to play the violin. -------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Teenagers are allowed to go out just this once
4. Am I allowed to speak? because they deserve it.
------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
5. It is impossible for him to drive. 11. Paul is certain to win the competition.
------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Babies are capable of swimming. 12. I am sure I am right.
------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------

3. A)
1. Shall
2. Ought to
3. Will
4. Should
5. May or can
6. Would
7. Can’t
8. Might
B)
1. Can; can’t
2. Could; can’t
3. Couldn’t
4. Can; couldn’t
5. Can; can’t
C)
1. c)
2. a)
3. d)
4. e)
5. b)
D)
1. Mary could speak clearly when she was 18 months.
2. Richard may fail the school year.
3. Sebastian can play the violin.
4. May I speak?
5. He can’t drive.
6. Babies can swim.
7. You can’t smoke in public places.
8. Teenagers can play outside.
9. Sara missed school today so she must be ill.
10. Teenagers may go out just this once because they deserve it.
11. Paul will win the competition.
12. I must be right.