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 verbs | Meaning | Example |
| can | ability permission | She can speak play several musical instruments. They can work on the project now. |
| could | polite 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. |
| may | possibility permission | This may help us save the environment. You may leave. |
| might | possibility | These numbers might be wrong. |
| will | future polite request | The prices will go up. Will you open the door for me? |
| would | offering, inviting polite request | Would you join us for dinner? Would you check this report for me? |
| should | advising, suggesting expectation | You should stop smoking. It should start raining soon. |
| must | obligation, necessity conclusion | You must submit the application by Friday. This car looks luxurious. It must be very expensive. |
| mustn’t | prohibition | 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
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