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Creative Resources for ESL/EFL Teachers

modal verbs conversation questions

Modal Verbs Conversation Questions, Use, and Examples

Posted on November 16, 2021August 9, 2022 By albacker

Practice modal verbs with conversation questions, watch video explanation and study example sentences.

What are modal verbs? According to Merriam-Webster, a modal verb is a verb (such as can, could, shall, should, ought to, will, or would) that is usually used with another verb to express ideas such as possibility, necessity, and permission.

Modal verbs and their meanings.
Modal verbsMeaningExample
canability
permission
She can speak play several musical instruments.
They can work on the project now.
couldpolite request
past ability
suggestion
possibility
Could you help me, please?
He could climb trees when he was a kid.
You could focus on the problem now.
This could be the solution we need. 
maypossibility
permission
This may help us save the environment.
You may leave.
mightpossibilityThese numbers might be wrong.
willfuture
polite request
The prices will go up.
Will you open the door for me?
wouldoffering, inviting
polite request
Would you join us for dinner?
Would you check this report for me?
shouldadvising, suggesting
expectation
You should stop smoking.
It should start raining soon.
mustobligation, necessity
conclusion
You must submit the application by Friday.
This car looks luxurious. It must be very expensive.
mustn’tprohibition Passengers mustn’t talk to the driver.

I also recommend this wonderful video by Khan Academy. You can assign it as homework, it explains modal verbs in a very approachable and enjoyable way.

Practice modal verbs with Quizlet.

(Choose Flashcards in the Study mode in the bottom right corner, and click on the arrows above it to switch between front and back sides.)


Modal verbs conversation questions

1) Is there anything you can’t do and would like to learn?

2) What are the three things you can do best?

3) Name three things you may do this weekend.

4) Name three things you may not do at school.

5) Should students be allowed to eat during lessons? Why or why not?

6) Name two things you must do every day.

7) Name two things you mustn’t do at home.

8) What activities couldn’t you do last year because of the pandemic?

9) Name three things you could do when you were younger but can’t do anymore.

10) Is there anything you can do better than your parents?


Other resources

Conversation Questions Gerunds and Infinitives: ESL Speaking Activity

Conversation Questions Conditionals: ESL Speaking Activity

Conversation Questions: Present Perfect and Past Simple

Present Tenses Exercises: Present Simple and Continuous

Conversation Questions: Future Tenses

grammar quiz speaking conversation questionsesl resourcesmodal verbsquiz

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Comments (2)

  1. ALine says:
    February 25, 2022 at 19:51

    WOW!! Your content was very useful for me, thanks

    Reply
    1. albacker says:
      March 9, 2022 at 11:52

      Thank you

      Reply

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Your role play worksheet is great!

- Everyday Business English

Incredible conversation activities. Thank you very much

- Philippa

Some good ideas, especially with older students who are pretty quiet.

- Anthony
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