Modal Auxiliary Verbs

English
Arif Rachmadian, S.Pd
 Index

• Objectives
• Introduction
• What do modals do?
• Types of modals
• Try Your Luck!
• Practice Exercises
 Objectives

• This module is designed to instruct students in

the use of English modal auxiliary verbs
through the use of instruction, examples, and
exercises. By the end of the module, students
should be able to identify the nine different
types of modals and their functions in a
particular sentence.
 Introduction

• Just like Spanish, English makes great use of

helping verbs, which modify the main verb of
a sentence in different ways. One of the most
numerous types of auxiliaries is the modal,
which has nine different types. They modify
the main verb by indicating modality, or
manner.
 What does a modal do?

Modals always precede the main verb and

have several functions that often overlap.
They indicate modality, or, how something is
done. There are nine main types of modals:
can, could, shall, should, will, would, may,
must, & might.
 Types of Modals
- Can: indicates physical ability in the present
tense.EX: I can hold my breath for 2 minutes.
• It can also indicate permission, in informal situations.
EX: Can I go with you?

• - Could: Is sometimes referred to as the past tense

of can. It can indicate past ability...
EX: I could lift 300 lbs. when I was younger.
• …or it can show possibility.
EX: It could rain tomorrow.
• - Shall: can show intention. It can also
indicate willingness.
EX: We shall win the war! EX: Shall I
accompany you to dinner?

• Should: indicates logical necessity. This is a

logical conclusion reached through common
sense. It is not, however, an obligation.
EX: You should sleep eight hours a night.
• Will: Can show willingness, much like shall. It
can indicate intention as well.
EX: Will you help me study for the test
EX: I will be number one!

• Would: Also shows willingness.

EX: Would you excuse me?
• May: Refers to permission in a formal setting,
as well as possibility.
EX: May I help you? EX: The road may be
blocked.
• Might: Indicates possibility.
EX: It might be too late for dinner.
• Must: Shows obligation.
EX: You must eat to live.
 Try Your Luck!

• Let’s see if we can identify the functions of

some modal auxiliary verbs in sentences.

• The waiter will be bringing our order soon.

intention Logical permission

necessity
• Want to try one more? Here you go!

• It might rain today.

permission Physical possibility

ability
 Exercises 1
Identify the function of the modals below.
• The plane should leave at noon tomorrow.
• Mandy could go with either Sam or Frodo.
• Will you wake me at eight tomorrow?
• I shall return!
• Bob can swim very fast!
• It might be too late for goodbyes.
• You must turn to the dark side, Luke!
• Can I have a soda?
• How may I be of service?
• It will be mine!
 Exercise 2
• Fill in the blanks!
• 1.  You seem to be having trouble there. _________ I help you?
2.  I don't have enough money to buy lunch. __________ you lend me
a couple of dollars?
3.  That ice is dangerously thin now. You ________ go ice-skating
today.
4.  It's way past my bedtime and I'm really tired. I ________ go to bed.
5.  He ______________ have committed this crime. He wasn't even in
the city that night.
6.  John is over two hours late already, He ___________ missed the
bus again.
7.  I'm really quite lost. _______________ showing me how to get out
of here?
8.  That bus is usually on time. It _________ to be here any time now.
9.  I read about your plane's near disaster. It ____________ terrified!
10.  It's the law. They ____________ have a blood test before they get
married.
 Useful Links

• English for Beginners: A great site for practice

exercises, including pronunciation, listening
exercises, vocabulary, and verb usage.
• English Zone: A site dedicated to English
learning, covering different aspects of
language learning ranging from grammar to
composition writing.
• RHL School: A site full of practice exercises of
different aspects of English grammar.
• Waylink English: A great page on modal
auxiliary verbs.
• Congratulations! See you next module!
Success!
Incorrect! Please Try Again.