Modals - 10 Item Quiz

Modal Verbs

Auxiliary (helping) verbs that express a speaker’s attitude, such as ability, possibility, obligation, or permission.

Base Verb Rule

Modals are always followed by the base form of a verb (e.g., can go, not can goes).

No Tense Inflection

Modal verbs do not change form for tense or subject (e.g., can stays can, not cans).

Modals of Ability

Used to express skill or capability (e.g., can for present ability, could for past/general ability).

Modals of Possibility & Probability

Show how likely something is (e.g., must = very likely, might = less certain).

Modals of Permission

Used to ask or give permission (e.g., can = informal, may = formal, could = polite).

Modals of Obligation & Necessity

Express rules or requirements (e.g., must = strong/internal, have to = external rule).

Perfect Modals

Structure: modal + have + past participle; used to talk about past situations (e.g., should have studied = regret).

Semi-Modals

Verbs like have to, need to, and used to that function partly like modals and partly like main verbs.

Pragmatic Use of Modals

Modals affect tone, politeness, and meaning in communication (e.g., could you is more polite than can you).