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MODAL AUXILIARIES - Questions & Answers

A Rewrite these sentences correctly. Also, mention why they are incorrect. 

1. Maya can driving well.
Answer: Maya can drive well. (Reason: Modals are always followed by the base form of the verb, not the -ing form.)

2. You to may come in.
Answer: You may come in. (Reason: Modals are followed by a bare infinitive, so "to" should not be used.)

3. Abdul can wrote eloquently.
Answer: Abdul can write eloquently. (Reason: Modals must be followed by the base form of the verb, not the past tense form.)

4. It may might be harmful for you.
Answer: It might be harmful for you. / It may be harmful for you. (Reason: Two or more modals cannot be strung together.)

5. Mahima will visits the art museum tomorrow.
Answer: Mahima will visit the art museum tomorrow. (Reason: Modals do not change according to the subject; we do not add -s to the verb following a modal.)

6. Don't call her now - she musts be asleep.
Answer: Don't call her now - she must be asleep. (Reason: Modals do not change according to the subject and do not take -s.)

7. You will can be late for your flight if you don't hurry.
Answer: You will be late for your flight if you don't hurry. / You could be late for your flight if you don't hurry. (Reason: Two modals cannot be used together.)

8. Sania might skipped the next tournament.
Answer: Sania might skip the next tournament. (Reason: Modals must be followed by the base form of the verb, not the -ed form.)

B Change these sentences into the negative and the interrogative.

1. Unmukt can fly a plane.
Negative: Unmukt cannot fly a plane.
Interrogative: Can Unmukt fly a plane?

2. We might have a holiday tomorrow.
Negative: We might not have a holiday tomorrow.
Interrogative: Might we have a holiday tomorrow?

3. Supriya will visit her aunt next month.
Negative: Supriya will not visit her aunt next month.
Interrogative: Will Supriya visit her aunt next month?

4. The principal may object to the proposal.
Negative: The principal may not object to the proposal.
Interrogative: May the principal object to the proposal?

5. Chetna could run very fast in her younger days.
Negative: Chetna could not run very fast in her younger days.
Interrogative: Could Chetna run very fast in her younger days?

6. Brian may play the next match.
Negative: Brian may not play the next match.
Interrogative: May Brian play the next match?

C Fill in the blanks with can, could, may or might. Remember, many modals can be used interchangeably.

1. You may go home if you are not well.

2. Let's wait a little longer. The rain might relent soon.

3. Could you help me with this sum?

4. You can leave now.

5. May Raman and I go for a movie?

6. Might I stop you for a moment?

7. You might want to try this dish - it is one of our specialities.

8. Can you show us a few more saris?

9. I never imagined that she could transform herself so drastically!

10. Swimming in this part of the river can be risky.

D Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals from the box given below.

(Box: can, could, might, may, must, should, would, shall, will)

1. You must be wondering why I left without informing anyone.

2. Could you lend me some money? I promise to return it by next week.

3. Don't go to the deep side of the pool. It can be risky.

4. 'You should learn to be more patient,' my uncle advised.

5. I would often spend my free time exploring the countryside when I was in England.

6. She has always lived in a cold place. It must be hard for her to get used to such hot weather.

7. Should we always carry our ID cards?

8. Shall we go out for dinner?

9. May I speak with you for five minutes?

10. Will you complete this by today evening?

11. I would like you to get me all the details by tomorrow.

12. You might want to try this T-shirt. I think it will look good on you.

E Make sentences with if... could/would (+ have) using the hints given below.

1. You were not careful enough./They cheated you.
Answer: If you had been careful enough, they would not have cheated you.

2. I am sick./I cannot come to your birthday party.
Answer: If I were not sick, I could come to your birthday party.

3. I have to finish an assignment today./I cannot go out to play.
Answer: If I did not have to finish an assignment today, I could go out to play.

4. The police were not alert./The convict escaped.
Answer: If the police had been alert, the convict would not have escaped.

5. Human beings exploited nature./We faced climate crisis.
Answer: If human beings had not exploited nature, we would not have faced the climate crisis.

6. I am not free./I wanted to pay my aunt a visit.
Answer: If I were free, I could pay my aunt a visit.

F Here are some incomplete questions. Complete them using suitable modals.

1. Could you please read quietly?

2. Would you like a little more coffee?

3. Must you always make trouble?

4. Should I insist on advance payment?

5. Shall we go for a movie tonight?

6. Shall I fetch you a glass of water?

7. Will I be given a certificate at the end of the course?

8. Where should we go at this hour?

G Complete these sentences with suitable semi-modals. Also, write whether the verbs function as modals or main verbs.

1. This used to be a charming place in those days, but not any more.
Function: Modal

2. You need not pay for the food. It is complimentary with the lodging.
Function: Modal

3. The captain dared to take on the enemy alone.
Function: Main verb

4. She did not use to be so short-tempered.
Function: Main verb

5. How dare you speak so rudely with the child!
Function: Modal

6. Do I need to send you a reminder?
Function: Main verb

7. The traveller did not dare to advance further after he heard the deafening sound.
Function: Main verb

8. Do we need to come here again tomorrow?
Function: Main verb

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Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
What is the collective term for the auxiliary verbs 'can', 'could', 'may', 'might', 'will', 'would', 'shall', 'should', and 'must'?
Answer
They are called modals or modal auxiliary verbs.
Question
What is the primary function of modal verbs in a sentence?
Answer
They are used before main verbs to express meanings such as ability, possibility, certainty, suggestion, permission, and obligation.
Question
Unlike primary auxiliaries, modal verbs cannot be used as _____ verbs.
Answer
main
Question
What form of the verb must always follow a modal verb?
Answer
The base form or the bare-infinitive form.
Question
Correct the error: "Jia can wells swim."
Answer
Jia can swim well. (The verb 'swim' must be in its base form after the modal 'can').
Question
How do modal verbs change when the subject is in the third person singular (e.g., he, she, it)?
Answer
They do not change; you do not add -s to modals.
Question
Correct the error: "Sanjeev shoulds pay more attention in class."
Answer
Sanjeev should pay more attention in class.
Question
How do modal verbs change to indicate past tense?
Answer
They do not change with tense by adding -ed; some modals have past tense forms with their own independent uses.
Question
What are non-finite forms of verbs, and do modals have them?
Answer
Non-finite forms include participles (-ing) and infinitives (to-verb), and modals do not have them (e.g., no 'canning' or 'to must').
Question
What is the rule regarding using two modal verbs together?
Answer
Two or more modals cannot be strung together in a sentence.
Question
Correct the error: "It might could rain in the evening."
Answer
It might rain in the evening. OR It could rain in the evening.
Question
In a verb phrase containing a modal, an auxiliary verb, and a main verb, what is the correct order?
Answer
The modal verb comes first, before any other auxiliary verb and the main verb (e.g., 'might have left').
Question
How do you form a negative sentence with a modal verb?
Answer
By adding 'not' after the modal verb.
Question
How do you form a question with a modal verb?
Answer
The modal verb is placed before the subject.
Question
The modal 'can' is used to express _____ or possibility.
Answer
ability
Question
Which modals are used to talk about future possibilities?
Answer
We use 'might', 'may', and 'could' to talk about future possibilities.
Question
To suggest a choice or an option, you can use the modal 'could' or the informal modal _____.
Answer
can
Question
Which two modals are used to give or ask for permission?
Answer
'May' and 'can' are used for permission.
Question
When asking for permission, which modal is considered more formal: 'may' or 'can'?
Answer
'May' is more formal than 'can'.
Question
Which modals are used to ask about present or future possibilities, as in "_____ we win the next World Cup?"
Answer
'Can' and 'could' are used to ask about present or future possibilities.
Question
The modal 'can' is used to talk about things we think are _____, though not always, true.
Answer
usually
Question
Which modal can be used to give advice or make a suggestion in a more polite or less direct way?
Answer
The modal 'might' can be used for polite suggestions (e.g., 'You might like to try this shirt').
Question
The modals 'may', 'can', 'could', and 'might' are often used interchangeably to make polite _____ or _____.
Answer
offers, requests
Question
What is the primary function of using 'shall' or 'will' with a main verb?
Answer
To form the simple future tense.
Question
According to traditional grammar, with which subjects is 'shall' prescribed for the simple future tense?
Answer
First person subjects, 'I' and 'we'.
Question
In contemporary English, which modal is more common for forming the future tense with all subjects: 'shall' or 'will'?
Answer
'Will' is much more common than 'shall'.
Question
Which modal is used to refer to things in the future that we think are certain to happen?
Answer
The modal 'will' is used.
Question
Which modal is commonly used to make predictions about the future?
Answer
The modal 'will' is used for predictions.
Question
Which modals are used to indicate intention, willingness, a promise, or determination?
Answer
'Will' and 'shall' are used.
Question
In the sentence "Anyone who violates the rule _____ be fined," which modal expresses a threat?
Answer
shall
Question
Which modal is used to make requests or ask for favours, such as in "_____ you pass me the salt, please?"
Answer
Will
Question
In interrogative sentences, 'will' can be used to express impatience or anger. What other modal can be used in similar situations?
Answer
The modal 'must'.
Question
To ask for information, such as in "_____ the school start from next week?", which modal is used?
Answer
Will
Question
When we ask about a preference or make a polite offer, such as in "_____ I switch on the air conditioner?", which modal do we use?
Answer
Shall
Question
Which modal is used to talk about an obligation or to give advice, and is synonymous with 'ought to'?
Answer
Should
Question
Which modal expresses a stronger obligation than 'should'?
Answer
Must
Question
When we want to ask for advice or a suggestion, as in "_____ I buy this book?", which modal should be used?
Answer
Should
Question
Which modal is used to talk about actions or habits in the past?
Answer
Would (e.g., "When I was in college, I would often go hiking.")
Question
Which modal is commonly used to make polite requests or offers, as in "I _____ like some more pasta"?
Answer
would
Question
When expressing a wish, such as in "I wish she _____ be a little more thoughtful," which two modals can be used?
Answer
'would' or 'could'
Question
To express probability or certainty, as in "It is 10 a.m. Mr Ankit _____ be in the meeting," which modal is used?
Answer
must
Question
In a conditional sentence, which clause (the 'if'-clause or the main clause) usually contains the modal verb?
Answer
The main clause.
Question
In conditional sentences describing situations that are unreal or cannot be fulfilled, which three modals are often used?
Answer
'Could', 'would', or 'might'.
Question
Which modal can be used in the 'if'-clause of a conditional sentence to form probable conditions, as in "_____ you face any issues, do let me know"?
Answer
Should
Question
What is the term for verbs like 'need', 'dare', and 'used to', which have characteristics of both modal and main verbs?
Answer
Semi-modals.
Question
When 'need' acts as a modal, in what types of sentences is it typically used?
Answer
It is used in questions and negative sentences.
Question
When 'need' acts as a main verb, what form of verb follows it?
Answer
It is followed by the to-infinitive (e.g., 'He needs to be more responsible').
Question
When 'dare' acts as a modal, in what types of sentences is it used?
Answer
It is used in questions, negative sentences, and exclamations.
Question
When 'dare' acts as a main verb, what form of verb follows it?
Answer
It is followed by the to-infinitive (e.g., 'She dares to take up challenging and risky jobs').
Question
How is the negative form of 'used to' created when it behaves like a main verb?
Answer
It uses the auxiliary 'do' (e.g., 'I did not use to like maths').