Modal Auxiliary Definition:The students will learn the use of modal auxiliaries with the main verb in English. Some of the modal auxiliaries used are could, should, would etc. They will also study the rules and patterns of using modal auxiliaries and some auxiliary verb examples.
In this learning concept, the students will learn the following:
Every concept is taught to class 5 English students with the help of examples, illustrations, and concept maps. Once you go through a concept, assess your learning by solving the two printable modal auxiliary verb worksheets at the end of the page.
Download the worksheets and check your answers with the worksheet solutions for the concept Modal Auxiliary provided in PDF format.
Modal Auxiliary Definition:
Rules of Using a Modal Auxiliary
Now let us understand the different purposes of the various modal auxiliaries.
a) Uses of ‘can’:
Examples:
1. Ability - She can drive a car.
2. Ask for permission - Can I borrow yourumbrella?
3. Possibility - Do you think we can win the match?
4. Indicating future action – If it doesn’t rain, we can go to play outside.
b)Uses of ‘could’:
Examples:
1. Ability:When I was in school, I could practice playing football for hours.
2. Probability:I wish I could fly like a bird.
3. Possibility:I could have won the quiz if I had studied harder.
4. Suggestion: Could you please help me with the math problem?
c)Uses of ‘may’:
Examples:
1. You may get selected for the tournament.
2. May I ask you a question?
d)Uses of ‘might’:
Examples:
1. We might go to watch a movie today.
2. My father might attend the parent-teacher meeting.
3. I might have had junk food last night, and my stomach is upset today.
e)Uses of 'must':
Examples:
1. All the students must bring their textbooks to the class.
2. You must brush your teeth before sleep.
3. You must buy the coffee maker. It is great.
f)Uses of 'shall':
Examples:
1. Tomorrow, I shall be going to Mumbai to attend a meeting.
2. They shall apologize for what they did.
g)Uses of 'should':
Examples:
1. He should call his father.
2. They should come to the party.
h)Uses of 'will':
Examples:
1. They will visit my house tomorrow.
2. Will you go to the picnic?
3. Will you please cook tonight?
4. We will get snow in Kashmir in February.
i)Uses of 'would':
Examples:
1. Rashmi said she would complete her homework.
2. Would you like to have a cup of coffee?
3. I would be in a big problem if my father was not there with me.
4. Radha would go swimming every day when she was younger.
1. The modal auxiliaries should not be confused with the primary auxiliaries. Like the different forms of ‘be’ ‘do’ and ‘have’. As these words sometimes can be used with modal auxiliaries.
2. There are some modal auxiliaries that are known as quasi modal auxiliaries that are used along with the word ‘to’.
Example:
a)‘Ought to’-Used to express advice.
Example:
We ought to drink a lot of water.
b)‘Need to’-Used to express necessity.
Example:
You need to do exercise regularly.
c) ‘Used to’-Used to express habitual action in the past.
Example:
I used to enjoy a walk here in the evening.
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