The verbs will, would, shall, should, can, could, may, might, must, ought (to), need, dare and used to are called modal auxiliary verbs. They are used with the base form (infinitive) of other verbs. Unlike primary auxiliaries, modals cannot serve as the main verb in a sentence.

In English we use modal auxiliary verbs to express a variety of ideas such as ability, possibility, willingness, determination, compulsion etc.
This class 6 modal auxiliary verb worksheet tests your ability to use modals correctly.

Fill in the blanks with an auxiliary verb that expresses the idea mentioned in the paragraphs.

1. I …………………. help you. (willingness)

2. I ………………………. win the first prize. (determination)

3. She ……………………….. soon have an accident. (prediction)

4. She ………………………. play the violin. (ability)

5. Not all birds ……………………… sing. (ability)

6. She ………………………… speak when she was just one year old. (ability)

7. My grandfather ……………………….. still read without glasses. (ability)

8. You ……………………….. not throw stones at the dog. (prohibition)

9. You ……………………….. submit the assignment before Friday. (compulsion)

10. We ………………………. help the poor and the needy. (obligation)

11. I ……………………… pass the test. (weak possibility)

12. We ………………………. go to their party. (possibility)

Answers

1. will, 2. will, 3. will, 4. can, 5. can, 6. can, 7. can, 8. must, 9. must, 10. should (Must is also possible here.), 11. might, 12. may

Worksheet 2

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate modal auxiliary verb.

1. Tell me about your problem. I ………………… be able to help. (may / can / must)

2. You ……………………… have invited him to our party. I didn’t want him to come. (wouldn’t / couldn’t / shouldn’t)

3. You …………………… have listened to your mother. (should / could / would)

4. I saw something moving behind the curtain. What …………………… it be? (may / can / might)

5. If you are hungry, I ……………………… get a sandwich for you. (will / would / may)

6. ‘Are you in a hurry to leave?’ ‘No. I ……………………. wait.’ (can / may / should)

7. I am hungry. …………………….. we get something to eat? (Shall / Will / May)

8. Whom …………………… I contact? (would / should / may)

9. You ……………………. never predict the weather accurately. (can / may / shall / will)

10. Ruth is not here at the moment. ……………………. you like to leave a message? (Will / Would / Should)

11. Where …………………….. I buy used laptops? (can / may / will)

12. ‘……………………. I give you a lift?’ ‘(Can / May / Will) No. Thanks. I …………………… prefer to walk.’ (will / would / should)

Answers

1. may, 2. shouldn’t, 3. should, 4. can, 5. will, 6. can, 7. Shall, 8. should, 9. can, 10. Would, 11. can, 12. Can, would