Modal Auxiliaries

Modal Auxiliaries

(Modal+V1)

Can-

-         Ability, capacity, permission, power, right, capability, skill

could-

-          past habit

May-

-         possibility, probability, permission, wish, purpose, guess, announcement

Might-

-         remote possibility

He is very weak, He might pass.

It is already 7 am , The station is very far from here ,You might catch the train.

Must- 

-         necessity, obligation, compulsion, legal duty, strong moral obligation, all possibility, surety, certainty, logical inference

Mustn’t-

-         Prohibition

You must not drive without fastening seat belt.

 Shall/will- 

-         Promise, threat, command, determination 

I/we- will

 you, he, she, it, they … - shall

Would-

-         polite request, past habit

when I was in Delhi, I used to walk in the morning

Should/ ought to -

-         advice, moral duty

 Need not-

-         not necessary, not required

 If you have enough money, you need not borrow.

 Dare not –

-         have no courage, lack of courage

He is very rude. I dare not talk to him.

 How dare you say so?

Modal Auxiliaries

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks with suitable modals given below                 

(can, should, may, might, must, could)     

1.     Everybody............ follow the rules and regulations of the country.   

2.      This seat is vacant. You ...........sit here.

3.      The weather is cold. We ............ have a snowfall.

4.      You ............ not make a noise in the class.

Exercise 2.

Fill in the blanks with suitable modals given blow. [Sec. Board Exams: 2014] (can, should, may, might, must, could)  

(i)                The barking of the dog made me run as fast as I ......... .  

(ii)              I think the guide ...... take us around the old monument. 

(iii)            My brother who is a wrestler ....... lift this big pole.  

(iv)            You .......come to bungalow whenever you wish.  

Exercise 3.

Fill in the blanks with suitable modals given below .[Sec. Board Exams : 2013]              (can , should, may, might, must, could) 

(i)                He....................swim very well in his youth. 

(ii)               You are not well at all. You..................see a doctor at once.

(iii)             Work hard lest you ....... fail.

(iv)            He is working hard so that he ......... win a scholarship.

Exercise 4.

Fill in the blanks with suitable modals given below.[Sec. Board Exam : 2012]          (can, could, may, must, might)

(i)                There are clouds in the sky. So it .......... rain today.

(ii)              His lungs have become very weak. So he ..........give up smoking.

(iii)            My grandmother is over sixty, but she ......... still read without glasses.                                                                                                             

(iv)            He belonged to a poor family therefore, he ......... not buy a car.

Exercise 5.

Fill in the blanks with suitable modals given below.                

(can, could, may, should, might)

(i)                Raju is very intelligent he…….. get Ist Division in the board examination.

(ii)              You are very weak, you……….take nutritious food.

(iii)            He ………….play football, When he was in school.

(iv)            You have completed your homework, now you……….go.

Exercise 6.

Fill in the blanks with suitable modals given blow.                

 (can, could, may, must, might)

(i)                There are not clouds in the sky, but it………rain today.

(ii)              Your son has got a first position in the board’s exam. He........be a very intelligent boy.

(iii)            She was a rich lady so she………buy a car for her son.

(iv)            The patient is very serious. He………..die at any time.    

Exercise 7.

 Fill in the blanks with suitable modals given below.                 

(can, could, may, ought to, might)

(i)                The last bus has gone, so he………come now.

(ii)              ………..you help me, please?

(iii)             I………..solve any question of this exercise

(iv)            The clouds are dark, so it ………….rain today.

Exercise 8.

 Fill in the blanks with suitable modals given below.                

 (can, could, ought to, should, would )

(i)                I……….run fast when I was young.

(ii)              You are ill. You……..take rest.

(iii)            She……..speak Hindi well.

(iv)            You………..to serve your old parents.

Exercise 9.

Fill in the blanks with suitable modals given below.                 

(ought to, shall, will, must, should)

(i)                You………do your duty honestly.

(ii)              My son……….help you.

(iii)             I……….help you.

(iv)            We………to be a good citizen.

Exercise 10.

Fill in the blanks with suitable modals given below.                 

(may, must, might, should, would)

(i)                He………… play football in his childhood.

(ii)               You………look after your old father

(iii)            Those boy……….pass because they are negligent to studies.

(iv)             A soldier……..be in the uniform.