English Grammar Worksheet 2 - Modals

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, forms, uses, and grammatical rules of modal verbs: can, will, may, must, and should.

Modal Verbs

Verbs that do not form all tenses, are followed by an infinitive without to, remain the same in all persons (singular and plural), and form the interrogative and negative without auxiliary verbs.

Can (Ability)

Expresses ability or capability to do something (e.g., "Mary can fly a plane.").

Can (Request)

Expresses a request asking someone to do something (e.g., "Can you open the door, please?").

Can (Offer)

Expresses an offer to assist someone (e.g., "Can I help you with that box?").

Can (Possibility)

Expresses that something is possible (e.g., "Wild animals can be dangerous.").

Can (Permission)

Expresses asking for or giving permission (e.g., "Can I go to the party, Mum? Yes, you can.").

Will (Request)

Expresses a request (e.g., "Will you give me your sweater, please?").

Will (Offer)

Expresses an offer (e.g., "I will lend you some money.").

Will (Promise)

Expresses a promise or commitment (e.g., "I will wait for you.").

Will (Threat)

Expresses a threat of action (e.g., "Don't kick my dog or I will kick you!").

Will (Warning)

Expresses a warning about a potential consequence (e.g., "Mum, be careful with the iron! You will burn yourself.").

May (Request)

Expresses a polite request (e.g., "May I have some more soup, please? / Yes, you may.").

May (Possibility)

Expresses possibility (e.g., "Where's Tom? He may be at work.").

May (Permission)

Expresses asking for or granting permission (e.g., "You may sit down if you like. / You may not park your car here.").

May vs. Can

May is more polite than can.

Must (Obligation)

Expresses obligation or necessity (e.g., "We must obey the law.").

Must (Prohibition)

Expresses prohibition using the negative form (e.g., "You mustn't smoke in this restaurant.").

Past Tense of Must

The Past Tense of must is had to (e.g., "I had to do my homework yesterday so I could not come to the party.").

Should (Recommendation)

Expresses a recommendation (e.g., "You should try the soup.").

Should (Advice)

Expresses advice (e.g., "You should sleep earlier.").

Must vs. Should

Both must and should are similar in meaning, but must is much a stronger word than should.