Modal Verbs Example, Exercise and Answer

Modal Verbs	Functions/description
can	It means be able to. It refers to present and future. It expresses ability. Example : Sue can speak Spanish and Russian. It expresses possibility. Example : It can rain in October here. It can be used to request and grant permission. Example : Can I come in? can + have + Verb III refers to possibility in the past. Example : They can have planned the terror.
could	It means be able to. It refers to present, past and future. It expresses ability in the past. Example : When I was 5, I could play in the rain for hours. It expresses possibility in the past but It did not happen. Example : She was lucky when she fell off the bicycle. She could have hurt herself. It can be used to request and grant more formal and polite permission. Example : Could I borrow your pencil for a moment? Could + have + Verb III refers to ability that was not used. Example : He could have joined us, but he didn’t get our invitation in time.
may	It expresses possibility. Example : It may rain, according to the weather forecast. It can be used to request and grant more formal and polite permission. Example : May I sit here? May + have + Verb III refers to speculation about the possibility that something happened in the indefinite past. Example : The lecturer’s car is not here. He may have left.
might	It expresses lighter or possibility than that expressed by may. Example : It might snow in October; we can never be sure. It can be used to request and grant very very formal and very polite permission. Example : Might I be excused early? It replaces may when used in the past form. Example : The forecast says it may rain tomorrow. The forecast said it might rain tomorrow. Might + have + verb III is used to express past possibility or speculation. Example : We didn’t speak to him. He might have got angry.
shall	It is used to request for agreement or an offer to do something for someone. Example : Shall I answer the phone for you? It can replace will to express future action, but only for subject I and we. Example : I shall leave for Copenhagen tomorrow.
should	It is used to express an advice. Example : The film was great. You should go and see it. should + have + verb III is used to express the right thing to do in the past. Example : He didn’t pass the exam because he didn’t study well. He should have studied well. It is used to express less certainty. Example : If you should see Christ, can you tell him to call me? or should you see Christ, can you tell him to call me?
will	It is used to express future action. Example : I will do it tomorrow. It is used to express agreement, mild promise, or willingness. Example : I will do whatever you want. It is used to express polite request. Example : Will you carry the bag for me?
would	It expresses an offer or invitation. Example : Would you like a cup of coffee? or Would you like to come to birthday party tomorrow? It expresses what one wants politely. Example : I’d like a room, please. It expresses the result of condition in a contrary-to-fact situation. ( Conditional Sentences Type II) Example : If I were rich, I would buy you a house. It means I’m not rich, so I will not buy you a house. It expresses the result of condition in a contrary-to-fact situation in the past ( Conditional Sentences Type III). Example : If she had driven the car more slowly, she wouldn’t have had an accident. It means she didn’t drive the car slowly so she had an accident. It expresses polite request. Example : Would you be kind to type a letter for me? It expresses a habitual action in the past. Example : When I was young, I would play game online for hours.
must	It expresses the necessity or obligation. Example : People must work to eat. In negative sentences, it expresses prohibition. Example : You must not smoke in this room. Must + have + verb III expresses an obvious conclusion in the past. Example : The door is locked. He must have gone out.
ought to	It is used to express an advice. Example : The film was great. You ought to go and see it. should + have + verb III is used to express the right thing to do in the past. Example : He didn’t pass the exam because he didn’t study well. He ought to have studied well.

Modal Verbs Exercises

Exercise I

Choose the correct word in parentheses to complete the sentence.

My three-year-old sister (can, may, could) count from 1 to 10.
(Can, Will, Should) I borrow your pen for a moment?
When I was five, I (can, could, may) run faster than my elder sister.
If you want to be slim, you (may, will, should) eat less and do sports more.
A: (Shall, Will, Must) I open the window? It’s too hot here. B: Yes, please.
Is there anything I (will, shall, can) do for you?
A: (May, Will, Should) I smoke here? B: Yes, it’s a smoking area.
We (may, must, can) wash our hands before we have meals.
What (would, will, can) you like to drink?
A: What’s your suggestion? B: I think you (ought, should, must) to study harder.

Exercise II

Answer the following questions. Use modal verbs.

Mention three things we can do to stop the virus from spreading.
What must we do to make our parents happy?
Write five things you may do if you are lost in the jungles.
Can you give three suggestions to people who will go to the USA?
Say five things you will do before you get married?

Answers

Exercise I

My three-year-old sister can count from 1 to 10.
Can I borrow your pen for a moment?
When I was five, I could run faster than my elder sister.
If you want to be slim, you should eat less and do sports more.
A: Shall I open the window? It’s too hot here. B: Yes, please.
Is there anything I can do for you?
A: May I smoke here? B: Yes, it’s a smoking area.
We must wash our hands before we have meals.
What would you like to drink?
A: What’s your suggestion? B: I think you ought to study harder.

Exercise II

Different answers are possible.

a. We can stay home. b. We can avoid contact with other people. c. We must always wear a mask whenever we go out.
a. We must study hard. b. We must follow their advice. c. We must help them do the house work.
a. I may look for other people b. I may call the police. c. I may call my parents. d. I may call my friends. e. I may look for food when I am hungry.
a. You should get the correct visa. b. You should have enough money to live on. c. You should be able to speak English d. You ought to visit Golden Bridge.
a. I will save enough money first. b. I will buy a house. c. I will buy a car. d. I will make sure if my groom/bride loves me. e. I will plan the best honeymoon ever.

Download the exercises here.