CHAPTER-3
MODALS
Modals or Modal Auxiliaries are
forms of auxiliary verbs that are generally used before the main verbs. They
are used to express mood, ability, possibility, permission, obligation, etc.
Members of Modals:
Shall, should, will, would, can,
could, may, might, must, used to, ought to, need, dare
Types of Modals
1.
Actual Modals: Shall, should, will, would, can,
could, may, might, must, ought to
2.
Semi-Modals: Used to, need, dare
Rules of Modals
1.
Always use V1 (base form of verb) after a modal verb. Never use V2, V3, V4,
V5, infinitive (to + V1), noun or adjective immediately after a modal verb.
Example:
✅ Correct: He will be going to Patna.
❌ Incorrect: He will going to Patna.
✅ Correct: She would have written a letter.
❌ Incorrect: She would written a letter.
✅ Correct: He may be a doctor.
❌ Incorrect: He may a doctor.
2.
Never use two modals together.
Example:
✅ Correct: It may rain today.
❌ Incorrect: It will may rain today.
✅ Correct: He must be a student.
❌ Incorrect: He will must be a student.
3.
Modal verbs do not take ‘s’ or ‘es’ in any form.
Example:
✅ Correct: She can do it.
❌ Incorrect: He cans do it.
Use
of Modals
MAY
1.
Possibility
Example:
👉 It may rain tomorrow.
👉 It may snow later tonight.
2.
Permission
Example:
👉 May I come in, sir?
👉 May I borrow your book for
a day?
3.
Wish
Example:
👉 May you have a happy and
prosperous life!
👉 May all your dreams come
true!
4.
Purpose
Example:
👉 We exercise daily so that
we may stay healthy.
👉 He studies hard so that he
may pass the exam.
5.
Doubt or Uncertainty
Example:
👉 He may not like this idea.
👉 He may not like the new
plan.
MIGHT
1. Less Possibility
Example:
👉 It might rain, though the sky is
clear.
👉 He might come, though it is quite
late.
2.
Polite Request
Example:
👉 Might I ask you a question?
👉 Might I use your phone for a
moment?
CAN
1. Present Ability
Example:
👉 She can swim very well.
👉 I can read this book in one day.
2. Permission (give or ask)
Example:
👉 You can come in.
👉 Can I go to see a movie?
👉 Students can go home after the
class.
3. Possibility
Example:
👉 It can be very hot in the desert.
👉 This place can get crowded on
weekends.
COULD
1. Past Ability
Example:
👉 When I was young, I could run
very fast.
👉 When she was a kid, she could
climb trees easily.
2. Polite Request
Example:
👉 Could you please pass the salt?
👉 Could you open the door, please?
3. Permission
Example:
👉 Could I use your laptop for a
while?
👉 Could I use your phone for a
call?
SHALL / WILL
1.
Used to express Future Tense.
⧭ Shall is used with I and We,
while Will is used with all other subjects.
Example:
👉 We shall reach Delhi today.
👉 He will go to Mumbai on Monday.
SHOULD
1.
Advice
Example:
👉 You should study hard for the
exam.
👉 You should take some rest after a
long journey.
2.
Duty
Example:
👉 We should love our country.
👉 We should respect our elders.
3.
After "lest"
Example:
👉 Go fast lest you should miss the
train.
👉 Walk carefully lest you should
fall into mud.
WOULD
1.
Indirect Narration
Example:
👉 He said that he would go there.
👉 She told me that she would call
him.
2.
Past Habit
Example:
👉 My grandfather would tell us
stories.
👉 When I was young, I would visit
my grandparents.
3.
Imaginary/Hypothetical Situations
Example:
👉 She would travel if she won the
lottery.
👉 If I had more time, I would learn
a new language.
4.
Polite Request
Example:
👉 Would you help me?
👉 Would you pass me the salt,
please?
5.
Formal Wish
Example:
👉 I would like to visit Paris.
👉 We would like to have the meeting
tomorrow.
6.
"Would that" = I wish / If only
Example:
👉 Would that he were here!
👉Would that I had known earlier!
7.
Would rather...than
Example:
👉 I would rather stay at home than
go out.
👉 I would rather die than beg.
MUST
1.
Strong Advice
Example:
👉 You must visit the doctor.
👉 You must read this book; it’s
amazing!
2.
Duty
Example:
👉 We must pay our fees on time.
👉 A soldier must be loyal.
3.
Strong Determination
Example:
👉 I must become a doctor.
👉 I must have my money back.
4.
Conclusion/Certainty
Example:
👉 She must be tired.
👉 He must be very happy with the
results.
5.
Strong Possibility
Example:
👉 He must be tired; he’s been
driving for hours.
👉 She left an hour ago; she must be
home by now.
6.
Prohibition ("must not" / "mustn’t")
Example:
👉 You must not smoke here.
👉 Children must not play near the road.
USED TO
1.
Past Habit
Example:
v I used to play cricket.
v We used to go for long walks in
the evening.
2.
Past Situation
Example:
👉I used to live in a village.
👉 We used to have a pet bird.
3.
Something that changed
Example:
👉 I used to struggle with math.
👉 She used to be afraid of dogs,
but now she loves them.
OUGHT TO
1.
Moral Duty
👉 You ought to help the poor.
👉 We ought to take care of the
environment.
2.
Advice
👉 You ought to consult a doctor.
👉 You ought to exercise regularly
to stay healthy.
3.
Strong Probability
👉 They ought to reach on time.
👉 The project ought to be
successful.
NEED & DARE (Semi-Modals)
"Need" and
"Dare" can function as both Main
Verbs and Modal Verbs.
👉 In affirmative sentences,
they act as main verbs.
👉 In negative/interrogative
sentences, they act as modal verbs.
Examples:
👉 He needs to go there. (Main
Verb)
👉 He need not go there. (Modal
Verb)
👉 Need he go there? (Modal Verb)
👉 You dare to ask a
question. (Main Verb)
👉 You dare not ask a
question. (Modal Verb)
👉 Dare you ask a question? (Modal Verb)
EXERCISE-1
Fill in the Blanks with the Appropriate Modal
Verb
1.
I’m afraid
I _______ play tennis tomorrow. I’ve got a dentist appointment.
a) can’t b)
Couldn’t
c) would not d)none
2.
You _______
finish your homework before going out.
a) might b)
can
c) must d)
may
3.
His excuse
_______be true, but I don’t believe.
a) may b)
can
c) must d)none
4.
She _______
sing very well.
a) could b)
should
c) will d)
can
5.
_______ I
borrow your pen, please?
a) Will b)
Would
c) Might d)
Shall
6.
We _______
go for a walk later if the weather is good.
a) will b)
could
c) would d)
shall
7.
_______ you
swim?
a) will not b)
can
c) must d)none
8.
You _______
speak to her like that; it’s rude.
a) must not b)
should
c) could d)
may
9.
I _______
help you, but I don’t want to.
a) may b)
Could
c) can d)none
10.
_______ you
speak French? - Only a few words, but my Russian is pretty good.
a) may b)
would
c) can d)none
11.
_______ I
go to the bathroom, please?
a) need b)
dare
c) may d)none
12.
Whose is
this bag? - I don’t know, but it _______ belong to Yuta.
a) should b)
could
c) may d)none
13.
_______ I
do it for you?
a) may b)
can
c) should d)none
14.
He _______
know the answer; he studied all night.
a) should b)
might
c) would d)
must
15.
Everybody
__________ be honest in his dealings.
a) would b)
could
c) should d)none
16.
You
_________ go to Mumbai for treatment.
a) should b)
could
c) may d)none
17.
He _______
come today.
a) shall b)
may
c) would d)none
18.
They
_______ not forget to bring their IDs.
a) may b)
must
c) shall d)
can
19.
He _______
pay attention in class to understand better.
a) might b)
could
c) should d)
would
20.
All of you
_______ be punished by your master.
a) shall b)
will
c) dare d)none
21.
You _______
see me any time.
a) can b)may
c) would d)none
22.
Children
_______ obey their parents.
a) will b)
can
c) must d)none
23.
You _______
respect other people’s opinions.
a) can b)
may
c) will d)
should
24.
I _______
swim across the river.
a) can b)
will
c) ought to d)none
25.
They
_______ leave now to avoid traffic.
a) ought to b)
may
c) might d)
would
26.
I _______
call her tonight to check on her.
a) may b)
can
c) shall d)
will
27.
Work hard
lest you _______ fail.
a) may b)
will
c) should d)none
28.
They
_______ be interested in such affairs.
a) shall b)
will
c) could d)none
29.
_______ I
carry your bag?
a) Can b)
May
c) Must d)
Ought
30.
He _______
write what he can.
a) can b)
may
c) could d)
might
31.
He said
that he_______go there at night.
a) could b)
would
c) should d)none
32.
She did all
this so that he _______ get success.
a) may b)can
c) should d)none
33.
_______ you
close the door, please?
a) should b)
would
c)might d)none
34.
I_______
speak English as well as Hindi.
a) will b)
may
c) can d)none
35.
He _______
speak fluent French.
a) can b)
may
c) could d)
would
36.
We _______
check the schedule before planning the trip.
a) shall b)
might
c) would d)
must
37.
You _______
bring a raincoat; it might rain.
a) should b)
could
c) can d)
may
38.
He _______
have passed the test if he had studied harder.
a) would b)
should
c) need d)
might
39.
_______ you
live long!
a) Can b)
Caught
c)May d)
Might
40.
We_______
not live without water.
a) can b)
could
c) must d)
might
41.
Teacher
_______be at their tables by 10 a.m.
a) should b)
used to
c) can d)
would
42.
Gandhiji_______
to walk in the morning.
a) ought b)
used
c) dare d)none
43.
When_______you
come back.
a) can b)
will
c) shall d)none
44.
_______I go
out, sir?
a) will b)
SHALL
c) may d)none
45.
_______I go
with him?
a) should b)
will
c) used to d)none
46.
If I were a
doctor, I_______help the poor.
a)should b)would
c)could d)none
47.
She_______fail
in the examination.
a)can b)will
c)may d)none
48.
You _______
eat more vegetables for a healthy diet.
a) may b)
can
c) should d)
will
49.
We _______
complete this work by tomorrow.
a) must b)
can
c) will d)
may
50.
They
_______ be very tired after such a long journey.
a) would b)
might
c) shall d)
must
51.
She _______
get her project approved today.
a) may b)
will
c) could d)
would
52.
You _______
finish your assignment by Friday.
a) can b)
must
c) used d)
might
53.
_______ you
please, wait for some time? I am busy.
a) might b)
Could
c) used to d)
Should
54.
This
computer _______belong to my grandfather before he gifted it to me.
a) need to b)
might
c) used to d)
would
55.
I_______afford
to buy you such an expensive ring now.
a)can b)cannot
c) could d)
could not
56.
How_______
I tell the future? It is always uncertain.
a) should b)
used to
c) can d)
ought to
57.
Nobody_______survive
without air, water and food.
a) could b)would
c)can d)none
58.
When he was
young, he _______ swim very well. He won medals and championships!
a) can b)
could
c) should d)none
59.
________
God bless you!
a) Can b)
Will
c)May d)none
60.
She _______
be home by now; it’s very late.
a) can b)
ought to
c) might d)
should
EXERCISE-2
1.
Detect the error and supply the correction
for the given observation by a child.
That needn’t be Dad’s jacket. It’s too small.
|
Error |
Correction |
|
|
|
2.
Select the correct option to complete the
given sentence from a handbook for managers.
The manager __________consider the proposal before making a decision.
A. will B.
should
C. might D. can
3. Read
the given sentence from a recipe review article. Identify the error and supply
the correction in the sentence.
This delightful recipe must keep your hunger pangs at bay with its balanced
spices and oriental flavour.
Use the given format for your response.
|
Error |
Correction |
|
|
|
4.
Identify the error and supply correction for
the following note in a passengers’ flight instruction manual:
|
Note-
Passengers will not reach the airport late in order to avoid a fine
equivalent to 5% of the basic fare. |
Use the
given format for your response.
|
Error |
Correction |
|
|
|
5.
Select
the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from a health magazine.
The advertisement read, ‘If you smoke, statistically your story_______ end 15%
before it should’.
A. must B. should
C. will D.
ought to
6. Detect
the error and supply the correction for the given deduction based on evidence.
He can’t be tired; he worked all night.
|
Error |
Correction |
|
|
|
7.
Fill in
the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the slogan by the Ministry
for Child Welfare.
____________WE AFFORD TO NEGLECT CHILDREN? THINK TWICE!!
A. WILL B. MAY
C. NEED D. CAN
8. Detect the error and supply the correction for
the given polite possibility.
Might you please close the window?
|
Error |
Correction |
|
|
|
9.
The
hospital board clearly mentioned that you ________ smoke in the hospital as it
is a health hazard for all.
A. cannot B. must
not
C. need not D. might
not
10.
You
________ tell anyone what I just told you. It’s a secret.
A. need B.
mustn’t
C. may D. could
11. Detect the error and supply the correction for
the given expression of advice.
You ought help your parents with household work.
|
Error |
Correction |
|
|
|
12. The management felt that the company________
include corporate social responsibility as part of its mission statement and
work for the betterment of society.
A. must B.
ought
C. need D. might
13.
Students ________ submit their assignments by
Monday without fail.
A. might B. may
C. must D. can
14. Detect
the error and supply the correction for the given ability in the past.
I can read at the age of four.
|
Error |
Correction |
|
|
|
15. Detect the error and supply the correction for
the given formal offer.
Will we going to the park this evening?
|
Error |
Correction |
|
|
|
ANSWER
EXERCISE-1
1.a 2.c 3.a 4.d 5.c 6.b 7.b 8.a 9.c
10.c 11.c 12.c 13.b 14.d 15.c 16.a 17.b 18.b 19.c 20.b 21.a 22.c 23.d 24.a 25.a
26.d 27.c 28.b 29.b 30.a 31.a 32.a 33.b 34.c 35.a 36.d 37.a 38.a 39.c 40.a 41.a
42.b 43.b 44.c 45.a 46.b 47.c 48.c 49.a 50.d 51.a 52.b 53.b 54.c 55.b 56.c 57.c
58.b 59.c 60.d
EXERCISE-2
1.. Error: needn’t Correction: can’t
2. B. should
3. Error: must Correction: will
4. Error: will not Correction: must not
5. C. will
6. Error: can’t Correction: must
7. D. CAN
8. Error: Might Correction: Could
9. B. must not
10. B. mustn’t
11. Error: ought help Correction:
ought to help
12. A. must
13. C. must
14. Error: can Correction: could
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