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Notes for Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are helping verbs that indicate possibility, ability, permission, obligation, or advice, and are always followed by the base form of a verb. Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, and ought to, each serving different functions in sentences. Understanding modal verbs is essential in literature analysis as they reveal characters' moods, tones, and thematic elements.

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7 views

Notes for Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are helping verbs that indicate possibility, ability, permission, obligation, or advice, and are always followed by the base form of a verb. Common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, and ought to, each serving different functions in sentences. Understanding modal verbs is essential in literature analysis as they reveal characters' moods, tones, and thematic elements.

Uploaded by

nur.azrin.binteabd
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Modal Verbs

What are Modal Verbs?


 Modal verbs are special helping verbs that show possibility, ability,
permission, obligation, or advice.
 They change or affect the meaning of the main verb they are used with.
 Modals are always followed by the base form of a verb (no -ing, -ed, or -s).

Common Modal Verbs


 can, could

“Can you help me?”

I can! – 100% sure!

Hmm, I could. – 70% sure

 may, might

She may go to the cinema tonight. (STRONGER)

She might go to the restaurant with you. (WEAKER)

 shall, should

You shall eat all the vegetables on your plate. (STRONGER)

You should eat more vegetables. (WEAKER)

 will, would

“You will do your homework now!”

“It would be better if you do your homework now.”


 Must
 ought to (a modal phrase)

You ought to eat your medicine if you want to feel better. (advice)

Main Functions and Examples


Modal
Function Example Sentence
Verb
She can swim very fast.
can Ability, possibility, permission

Past ability, polite permission, He could be late.


could
possibility
You may leave now.
may Permission, possibility

It might rain later.


might Small possibility 30%

Strong suggestion, future Shall we go to the park?


shall
(formal)
Advice, weak obligation, You should do your homework.

expectation “After eating medicine, your fever should


should
go down”

She will call you tomorrow.


will Definite future action

Hypothetical situations, polite Would you like some tea?


would
requests
You must wear a helmet.
must Strong obligation or necessity

You ought to respect your parents.


ought to Advice, moral obligation

Important Notes
 Modal verbs do not change for different subjects.
(e.g., He can, She can, They can — NOT "He cans")
 Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the verb.
(e.g., He must go to school, not "He must goes".)
In Literature Analysis:
Why Modal Verbs Matter:

 Mood/Tone: Modal verbs show a character’s certainty, doubt, obligation, or


possibility.
 Character Analysis: Modal verbs reveal how confident, hesitant, or obligated a
character feels.
 Theme Exploration: Themes of fate, destiny, freedom, or duty often involve
modal verbs.

Examples:

 "He must fight the dragon." → Strong obligation or


destiny.
 "Kale might betray Finn." → Uncertainty, suspense.
 "Kale could be lying." → Doubt, mistrust.
Key Tip:
When analysing a text, comment on why the modal verb was chosen and what it
shows about the character’s thoughts, emotions, or situation.
Question 1:
Which sentence shows strong obligation (=have to)?

A) You must finish your homework before dinner.


B) We could leave early.
C) She might come tomorrow.
D) They can run fast.

Question 2:

Which sentence shows possibility?

A) He will win the race.

B) It might rain today.

C) You must submit your form.

D) She can play the piano.

1. You ________ finish your homework before dinner.


(strong obligation)
2. It ________ rain today. (possibility)
3. He ________ lift heavy boxes. (ability)
4. ________ I borrow your pen? (polite permission)
5. It ________ rain later, but it’s not certain. (small
possibility)
6. You ________ eat more vegetables for better health.
(advice)
7. We ________ arrive in the morning. (definite 90-100% sure
future)
8. You ________ wear a uniform in school. (necessity)
Using Modal Verbs to Indicate Degrees of Possibility

1. Tick all of the sentences which contain modal verbs.

☐ I like chips because they taste nice.

☐ I like singing but I prefer dancing.

☐ I might be going on holiday at the weekend.

☐ Dust mites are everywhere but they are so small we can’t see them.

☐ He should have scored. It was an open goal!

2. Underline all of the modal verbs in the paragraph below:

It would have been amazing if we had beaten the record. We knew we could have and,

as the minutes ticked down, we really thought we would. There is a lot of belief in the

team that we can do this, and we might be back next year for another attempt.

3. Choose one of these modal verbs to complete the sentences. You may only
use each one once.

(will / could not / may / should / can)


a) Try as she might, she __________ get the ball in the tiny hole. [ability or no ability]

b) If Hamza doesn’t already brush his teeth well, then what the dentist told him __________
make him try harder. Possibility

If Jiaye doesn't already work hard, then a meeting with his teacher should make him realise
that he needs to work harder.

*should  we are expecting him to listen to his teacher's advice


will / could not / may / should / can)
c) For all we know, that __________ be the quickest route after all. Possibility

For all we know, the baby could be a really clever boy in the future.

d) Letitia has improved a lot – she __________ do things she never would have dreamed of
when she began. Ability

e) Because it is an emergency, I __________ get there as quickly as I can. Strong intention /


Definite action
Using Modal Verbs to Indicate Degrees of Possibility
Mini Test

4. Can you give a piece of advice to these people with a problem using
the modal verbs would, could and should?

would, could, should

a)
“Help! I have moved to a new school and I feel like I don’t have any friends.” (says your
friend, Mark)

b) would, could, should


Help! Two friends have invited me to parties at the same time on the same day.

c)
Help! I have always liked to wear unusual clothes but now people at school have begun
to tease me. (says John)
5. Use and underline a modal verb in each of your sentences to
explain how likely the following events are to happen.

Example:
Winning the lottery – e.g. I might not win the lottery because such a lot of people enter.

a)
Learning to play an instrument.

b)
Getting married.

c)
Learning to drive a car.

d)
Becoming famous.

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