Modal verbs go before other verbs.

can could would will shall

must should might may

I should learn a great deal this lesson.

Modal verbs are used for showing:

a)Whether someone is able to do something:

Fred can speak Spanish fluently.

b) How likely something is:

Janet is eating black pudding. She must be very hungry.

c) Advice

You should finish reading your book by Monday.

d) Permission

“May I go to the toilet in the middle of this exciting literacy lesson?”“No!”

e) What someone usually does.

Boys will be boys.

Spot the modal verbs:“Can I have another burger?”“You really should eat some vedge with it.”“I usually just eat burgers.”“You must be putting on a lot of weight.”“No, I can eat whatever I want and it makes no difference.”“Well, you will get fat if you keep on eating like that.”

“Can I have another burger?”“You really should eat some vedge with it.”“I usually just eat burgers.”“You must be putting on a lot of weight.”“No, I can eat whatever I want and it makes no difference.”“Well, you will get fat if you keep on eating like that.”

You can make modal verbs negative:

I must wash up the dishes,

I mustn’t leave my room in a complete mess.

I could eat a large bar of chocolate.

I couldn’t eat that Vindaloo curry – it was too hot.

Make the modal verb negative in each of these sentences:

a)You will stay in at break.b)You could catch a cold.c)You can go first.d)You may turn off the TV.e)You must be boiling.f)You should really be quieter.g)You might get lucky.h)You would believe it.

a)You will not (won’t) stay in at break.b)You couldn’t catch a cold.c)You can’t go first.d)You may not turn off the TV.e)You mustn’t be boiling.f)You shouldn’t really be quieter.g)You might not get lucky.h)You wouldn’t believe it.

Put the right modal verbs into these sentences:

1. He swims really well. He _____ practise a lot.

2. It was so dark I ____ see the path.

3. He’s brilliant. He ___ even juggle with his eyes closed!

4. If she keeps practising, she __ just make the team.

5. He is just not sure. He ___ make his mind up.

Put the right modal verbs into these sentences:

1. He swims really well. He must practise a lot.

2. It was so dark I couldn’t see the path.

3. He’s brilliant. He can even juggle with his eyes closed!

4. If she keeps practising, she might just make the team.

5. He is just not sure. He can’t make his mind up.

6. You ___ spread gossip.

7. ___ I sit here?

8. Jill has ten hedgehogs. They ___ cost a bomb to feed.

9. Sadly I ____ sing for toffee.

10. I tried to eat it, but I _____.

6. You mustn’t spread gossip.

7. May I sit here?

8. Jill has ten hedgehogs. They must cost a bomb to feed.

9. Sadly I can’t sing for toffee.

10. I tried to eat it, but I couldn’t.