Common Modal Verbs

Can Could May Might Must

Ought to Shall Should Will Would

Modal auxiliary verbs are used to moderate the main verb, that is to enhance or restrict the verb to a certain context. The most common modal auxiliaries in English are:

can could

may should

might will

must would

Notice the usage of modals in the following sentences:

I pay my taxes. General declaration of fact. Paying taxes is something I normally do. I can pay my taxes. Expresses ability. I have the means (funds) to pay. Expresses possibility, but not certainty. Maybe I will pay; maybe I won't. Expresses future intent. I resolve to do it at some later time. Expresses mild obligation. It is required, and I expect to comply.

I might pay my taxes.

I will pay my taxes. Is

I could pay my taxes. I would pay my taxes.

Expresses possibility. If I have nothing else to do with the money, I might pay taxes. (In this case), expresses reservation. If I had the money (but I don't). . .

I must pay my taxes.

Expresses strong obligation. I am required and have to comply.

hould pay my taxes.

Modal Quiz 1
Choose the best answer for each question. When you have finished all the questions, click on the Get score button at the bottom of the page to see your score and the correct answers.

1. Thomas ______ rather walk to school than catch the bus. shall could would must 2. Sonia was late for work this morning. She ___ been on time. had to should have must have could have 3. Mary is reading a grammar book because she has a test tommorow. She ______. could study should be studying will study must be studying 4. When Bruce was younger, he _____ fit into his uniform but now that he has grown, it no longer fits.

has got to can should be able to 5. I ______ the job of taking care of my younger brothers and sisters when my parents went out. would get should get must have gotten had better get 6. I ____ to the grocery store yesterday. I drove right by it. could go went could have gone ought to have gone 7. Paul and Larry ____ baseball when they were in school. could play used to play could have played may have played 8. Televisions were on sale and Mark ______ one for a very good price. could buy had was supposed to buy was able to buy 9. The party was Okay, but I'd rather _____ to a movie go be going have gone went

Since we have to be there in a hurry, we _____ take a taxi. had better may have been used to are able to

Use of Modal Auxiliaries

From the choices provided after each sentence select the verb that would correctly complete the sentence. Submit the quiz for grading with the SUBMIT APPLICATION button at the end of the exercise. Your score will be returned to you in a few seconds. 1. You seem to be having trouble there. _________ I help you? Would Will Shall 2. . I don't have enough money to buy lunch. __________ you lend me a couple of dollars? May Could Shall 3. 3. That ice is dangerously thin now. You ________ go ice-skating today. mustn't might not would mind not to 4. It's way past my bedtime and I'm really tired. I ________ go to bed. should ought could 5. He ______________ have committed this crime. He wasn't even in the city

that night. might shouldn't couldn't

6. John is over two hours late already, He ___________ missed the bus again. should have must have will have 7. I'm really quite lost. _______________ showing me how to get out of here? Would you mind Would you be Must you be 8. That bus is usually on time. It _________ to be here any time now. might has ought 9. I read about your plane's near disaster. You ____________ terrified! might have been must have been shall have been 10. It's the law. They ____________ have a blood test before they get married. might could have to 11. Professor Villa, we've finished our work for today. _________ we leave now, please? May Can Must
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