Modal verbs

Verbs expressing possibility, ability, permission and necessity

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Which word in this sentence is a modal verb? 'You must wear a helmet when cycling.' A) must B) wear C) helmet D) when
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2
Fill in the most suitable modal verb for ability: I ___ swim very well. I ___ swim very well.
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3
Which modal verb best expresses possibility? 'It ___ rain later today.' A) might B) must C) can D) shall
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4
Which is a modal verb? A) walk B) could C) happy D) always
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5
Fill in the modal verb for polite permission: ___ I borrow your pen, please? ___ I borrow your pen, please?
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6
Which sentence uses a modal verb correctly? A) She can speak three languages. B) She cans speak three languages. C) She can speaks three languages. D) She can spoken three languages.
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7
Fill in the modal verb for strong necessity: Drivers ___ stop at a red light. Drivers ___ stop at a red light.
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8
What does 'might' express in this sentence? 'We might go to the seaside on Saturday.' A) Possibility B) Certainty C) Permission D) Ability
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9
Fill in a modal verb that expresses past ability: When I was younger, I ___ run very fast. When I was younger, I ___ run very fast.
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10
Which modal is most TENTATIVE (least certain)? A) will B) must C) might D) shall
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Answer key

Modal verbs · for parents and teachers

1
must
'Must' is a modal verb that expresses necessity or obligation.
2
can
'Can' expresses present ability. 'Could' would be acceptable for ability in the past.
3
might
'Might' shows possibility - rain is possible but not certain. 'Must' would suggest near-certainty.
4
could
'Could' is a modal verb showing possibility.
5
May
'May' is the most formal modal for permission. 'Could' is polite; 'Can' is informal but common.
6
She can speak three languages.
Modal verbs never take -s in third person, and the verb that follows them is always in the base form (no -s, no -ed, no -ing).
7
must
'Must' expresses strong necessity or obligation. Stopping at a red light is a legal requirement.
8
Possibility
'Might' shows that something is possible but not definite - they may or may not go.
9
could
'Could' is the past form of 'can' used for ability in the past.
10
might
'Might' shows the least certainty.