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๐ Content updated on 21 April 2026
๐ง Modal Verbs & Auxiliaries – Quick Summary:
Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, ought to) express ability, permission, possibility, obligation, or advice. They are always followed by the base form of the main verb. Primary auxiliaries (be, have, do) help form tenses, questions, and negatives.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence and choose the correct modal or auxiliary, or identify the function of the modal used. Click “Show Answer” for the correct choice and a clear explanation.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence and choose the correct modal or auxiliary, or identify the function of the modal used. Click “Show Answer” for the correct choice and a clear explanation.
In this worksheet:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
Modals add nuance to your sentences—possibility, obligation, and more. For a full verb refresher, visit the
Verbs and Tenses hub.
For more advanced verb forms, try the
Non‑Finite Verbs worksheet.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Let's explore the uses of common modal verbs and auxiliaries.
Solved Q.1
"She can speak three languages." What does 'can' express?
Show Answer
Answer: Ability
Explanation: 'Can' indicates present ability or skill. It is followed by the base verb 'speak'.
Example: He can solve complex puzzles easily.
Explanation: 'Can' indicates present ability or skill. It is followed by the base verb 'speak'.
Example: He can solve complex puzzles easily.
Solved Q.2
"May I come in?" Function of 'may'?
Show Answer
Answer: Permission (formal)
Explanation: 'May' is used to ask for or give permission in a polite or formal way. 'Can' is more informal.
Example: May I borrow your pen?
Explanation: 'May' is used to ask for or give permission in a polite or formal way. 'Can' is more informal.
Example: May I borrow your pen?
Solved Q.3
"You must wear a helmet." What does 'must' indicate?
Show Answer
Answer: Obligation / Necessity
Explanation: 'Must' expresses strong obligation or necessity, often from the speaker or a rule.
Example: You must submit the form by Friday.
Explanation: 'Must' expresses strong obligation or necessity, often from the speaker or a rule.
Example: You must submit the form by Friday.
Solved Q.4
"It might rain later." What does 'might' express?
Show Answer
Answer: Possibility (weaker than 'may')
Explanation: 'Might' suggests a smaller chance of something happening. It's the past form of 'may' but used for present/future weak possibility.
Example: She might come to the party; I'm not sure.
Explanation: 'Might' suggests a smaller chance of something happening. It's the past form of 'may' but used for present/future weak possibility.
Example: She might come to the party; I'm not sure.
Solved Q.5
"You should see a doctor." Function?
Show Answer
Answer: Advice / Recommendation
Explanation: 'Should' is used to give advice or suggest the right thing to do. Less forceful than 'must'.
Example: You should apologise for your mistake.
Explanation: 'Should' is used to give advice or suggest the right thing to do. Less forceful than 'must'.
Example: You should apologise for your mistake.
Solved Q.6
"When I was young, I could run very fast." What does 'could' express?
Show Answer
Answer: Past ability
Explanation: 'Could' is the past tense of 'can', expressing an ability in the past.
Example: She could swim when she was five.
Explanation: 'Could' is the past tense of 'can', expressing an ability in the past.
Example: She could swim when she was five.
Solved Q.7
"Would you like some tea?" Function of 'would'?
Show Answer
Answer: Polite offer / request
Explanation: 'Would' makes offers and requests more polite and less direct than 'will'.
Example: Would you help me with this?
Explanation: 'Would' makes offers and requests more polite and less direct than 'will'.
Example: Would you help me with this?
Solved Q.8
"We ought to respect our elders." What does 'ought to' express?
Show Answer
Answer: Moral obligation / Duty
Explanation: 'Ought to' is similar to 'should' but often implies a moral duty or what is right.
Example: You ought to help the poor.
Explanation: 'Ought to' is similar to 'should' but often implies a moral duty or what is right.
Example: You ought to help the poor.
Solved Q.9
"You need not worry about the bill." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Lack of necessity
Explanation: 'Need not' (or needn't) means it is not necessary. 'Must not' would mean prohibition.
Example: You need not bring anything; it's all arranged.
Explanation: 'Need not' (or needn't) means it is not necessary. 'Must not' would mean prohibition.
Example: You need not bring anything; it's all arranged.
Solved Q.10
"Shall I open the window?" Use of 'shall'?
Show Answer
Answer: Offer / Suggestion (with I/we)
Explanation: 'Shall' is used with 'I' and 'we' to make offers or ask for suggestions.
Example: Shall we go for a walk?
Explanation: 'Shall' is used with 'I' and 'we' to make offers or ask for suggestions.
Example: Shall we go for a walk?
Solved Q.11
"You must not smoke here." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Prohibition
Explanation: 'Must not' (mustn't) indicates that something is not allowed or is forbidden.
Example: You must not park here.
Explanation: 'Must not' (mustn't) indicates that something is not allowed or is forbidden.
Example: You must not park here.
Solved Q.12
"She will be here soon." Function of 'will'?
Show Answer
Answer: Future certainty / Prediction
Explanation: 'Will' expresses a future action or a strong prediction.
Example: The train will arrive at 6 pm.
Explanation: 'Will' expresses a future action or a strong prediction.
Example: The train will arrive at 6 pm.
Solved Q.13
"Could you please pass the salt?" Why 'could' instead of 'can'?
Show Answer
Answer: Polite request
Explanation: 'Could' is more polite and less direct than 'can' when making requests.
Example: Could I use your phone?
Explanation: 'Could' is more polite and less direct than 'can' when making requests.
Example: Could I use your phone?
Solved Q.14
"He may have missed the bus." What does this express?
Show Answer
Answer: Past possibility
Explanation: 'May have + past participle' expresses possibility in the past.
Example: She might have forgotten the meeting.
Explanation: 'May have + past participle' expresses possibility in the past.
Example: She might have forgotten the meeting.
Solved Q.15
"You should have told me earlier." What does this imply?
Show Answer
Answer: Past criticism / Regret
Explanation: 'Should have + past participle' expresses that the right action was not taken in the past.
Example: We should have left earlier.
Explanation: 'Should have + past participle' expresses that the right action was not taken in the past.
Example: We should have left earlier.
Solved Q.16
"I used to play cricket every day." Meaning of 'used to'?
Show Answer
Answer: Past habit / State
Explanation: 'Used to' describes a repeated action or state in the past that no longer happens.
Example: She used to live in London.
Explanation: 'Used to' describes a repeated action or state in the past that no longer happens.
Example: She used to live in London.
Solved Q.17
"Do you like ice-cream?" Function of 'do'?
Show Answer
Answer: Auxiliary for question
Explanation: 'Do' is a primary auxiliary used to form questions and negatives in simple present/past.
Example: Did you see the match?
Explanation: 'Do' is a primary auxiliary used to form questions and negatives in simple present/past.
Example: Did you see the match?
Solved Q.18
"She had better hurry up." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Strong advice / Warning
Explanation: 'Had better' is used to give strong advice or say what is the best thing to do, often with a sense of warning.
Example: You had better not be late.
Explanation: 'Had better' is used to give strong advice or say what is the best thing to do, often with a sense of warning.
Example: You had better not be late.
Solved Q.19
"They were playing football." Function of 'were'?
Show Answer
Answer: Auxiliary for past continuous
Explanation: 'Were' (form of 'be') is used as a helping verb to form the past continuous tense.
Example: I was reading a book.
Explanation: 'Were' (form of 'be') is used as a helping verb to form the past continuous tense.
Example: I was reading a book.
Solved Q.20
"You must be tired after the journey." Meaning of 'must' here?
Show Answer
Answer: Logical deduction / Certainty
Explanation: 'Must' can also express a strong logical conclusion about a present situation.
Example: He must be at home; the lights are on.
Explanation: 'Must' can also express a strong logical conclusion about a present situation.
Example: He must be at home; the lights are on.
Hindi modal expressions (like เคाเคนिเค, เคธเคเคจा) add similar shades. See the
Kriya (Verb) Hub.
Next, explore non‑finite verbs with the
Non‑Finite Verbs worksheet.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Now test your understanding. Choose the correct modal or identify its function.
Practice Q.1
"You _____ (must / can) stop at the red light."
Show Answer
Answer: must
Explanation: 'Must' for obligation/law.
Example: Drivers must wear seat belts.
Explanation: 'Must' for obligation/law.
Example: Drivers must wear seat belts.
Practice Q.2
"She _____ (can / may) be at home, but I'm not sure."
Show Answer
Answer: may
Explanation: 'May' expresses possibility.
Example: It may snow tomorrow.
Explanation: 'May' expresses possibility.
Example: It may snow tomorrow.
Practice Q.3
"When I was five, I _____ (can / could) read."
Show Answer
Answer: could
Explanation: Past ability.
Example: He could ride a bike at four.
Explanation: Past ability.
Example: He could ride a bike at four.
Practice Q.4
"You _____ (should / would) eat more vegetables."
Show Answer
Answer: should
Explanation: Advice.
Example: You should exercise regularly.
Explanation: Advice.
Example: You should exercise regularly.
Practice Q.5
"_____ (May / Would) you like some coffee?"
Show Answer
Answer: Would
Explanation: 'Would' for polite offer.
Example: Would you like to join us?
Explanation: 'Would' for polite offer.
Example: Would you like to join us?
Practice Q.6
"We _____ (ought to / might) respect our teachers."
Show Answer
Answer: ought to
Explanation: Moral duty.
Example: We ought to help the needy.
Explanation: Moral duty.
Example: We ought to help the needy.
Practice Q.7
"You _____ (must not / need not) touch that wire."
Show Answer
Answer: must not
Explanation: Prohibition (danger).
Example: You must not feed the animals.
Explanation: Prohibition (danger).
Example: You must not feed the animals.
Practice Q.8
"_____ (Shall / Will) we go for a movie?"
Show Answer
Answer: Shall
Explanation: Suggestion with 'we'.
Example: Shall we begin the meeting?
Explanation: Suggestion with 'we'.
Example: Shall we begin the meeting?
Practice Q.9
"He _____ (might / must) have been sleeping; he didn't hear the doorbell."
Show Answer
Answer: must have been
Explanation: Logical deduction about past.
Example: She must have left; the lights are off.
Explanation: Logical deduction about past.
Example: She must have left; the lights are off.
Practice Q.10
"You _____ (had better / would rather) see a doctor immediately."
Show Answer
Answer: had better
Explanation: Strong advice/warning.
Example: We had better leave now to avoid traffic.
Explanation: Strong advice/warning.
Example: We had better leave now to avoid traffic.
Practice Q.11
"She _____ (used to / is used to) waking up early now."
Show Answer
Answer: is used to
Explanation: 'Be used to' means accustomed to; 'used to' is past habit.
Example: He is used to the cold weather.
Explanation: 'Be used to' means accustomed to; 'used to' is past habit.
Example: He is used to the cold weather.
Practice Q.12
"You _____ (shouldn't have / mustn't have) lied to her."
Show Answer
Answer: shouldn't have
Explanation: Past criticism/regret.
Example: I shouldn't have eaten so much.
Explanation: Past criticism/regret.
Example: I shouldn't have eaten so much.
Practice Q.13
"_____ (Do / Are) you understand the question?"
Show Answer
Answer: Do
Explanation: 'Understand' is main verb, 'do' auxiliary for simple present question.
Example: Do you like pizza?
Explanation: 'Understand' is main verb, 'do' auxiliary for simple present question.
Example: Do you like pizza?
Practice Q.14
"I _____ (could / managed to) finish the race despite the pain."
Show Answer
Answer: managed to
Explanation: 'Managed to' for a specific past achievement despite difficulty. 'Could' is general past ability.
Example: She managed to catch the last train.
Explanation: 'Managed to' for a specific past achievement despite difficulty. 'Could' is general past ability.
Example: She managed to catch the last train.
Practice Q.15
"The report _____ (has / is) been completed."
Show Answer
Answer: has
Explanation: Present perfect passive: has/have + been + past participle.
Example: The cake has been eaten.
Explanation: Present perfect passive: has/have + been + past participle.
Example: The cake has been eaten.
Practice Q.16
"You _____ (needn't / mustn't) buy any milk; we have plenty."
Show Answer
Answer: needn't
Explanation: Lack of necessity.
Example: You needn't rush; we have time.
Explanation: Lack of necessity.
Example: You needn't rush; we have time.
Practice Q.17
"If I were you, I _____ (will / would) accept the offer."
Show Answer
Answer: would
Explanation: 'Would' in second conditional for hypothetical advice.
Example: I would study harder if I were you.
Explanation: 'Would' in second conditional for hypothetical advice.
Example: I would study harder if I were you.
Practice Q.18
"She _____ (can't / might not) be at work; it's Sunday."
Show Answer
Answer: can't
Explanation: 'Can't' for logical impossibility/deduction.
Example: He can't be serious!
Explanation: 'Can't' for logical impossibility/deduction.
Example: He can't be serious!
Practice Q.19
"_____ (Have / Are) you ever been to Paris?"
Show Answer
Answer: Have
Explanation: Present perfect: have/has + past participle.
Example: Have you finished your homework?
Explanation: Present perfect: have/has + past participle.
Example: Have you finished your homework?
Practice Q.20
"We _____ (will / would) visit our grandmother every summer when we were kids."
Show Answer
Answer: would
Explanation: 'Would' for past habitual actions (similar to 'used to').
Example: We would play in the park for hours.
Explanation: 'Would' for past habitual actions (similar to 'used to').
Example: We would play in the park for hours.
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๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
These test subtle distinctions between modals and auxiliaries.
Challenge Q.1
"You mustn't touch that wire." vs "You needn't touch that wire." Explain the difference.
Show Answer
Answer: 'Mustn't' = prohibition (do not do it). 'Needn't' = lack of necessity (it is not required, but you can if you want).
Example: You mustn't park here. You needn't wash the dishes.
Example: You mustn't park here. You needn't wash the dishes.
Challenge Q.2
"I could swim when I was five." vs "I was able to swim across the lake yesterday." Why different forms?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Could' = general past ability. 'Was able to' = specific past achievement (often overcoming difficulty).
Example: He could run fast. He was able to catch the thief.
Example: He could run fast. He was able to catch the thief.
Challenge Q.3
"She may have missed the bus." vs "She might have missed the bus." Any difference?
Show Answer
Answer: Both express past possibility. 'Might have' suggests a slightly weaker or more tentative possibility. In modern usage, often interchangeable.
Example: They might/may have taken the wrong train.
Example: They might/may have taken the wrong train.
Challenge Q.4
"You had better not be late." vs "You should not be late." Which is stronger?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Had better' is stronger, often implying a warning or negative consequence if advice is not followed.
Example: You had better finish your work, or the boss will be angry.
Example: You had better finish your work, or the boss will be angry.
Challenge Q.5
"He must be the new teacher." vs "He has to be the new teacher." Difference?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Must' = speaker's logical conclusion. 'Has to' = external evidence/obligation. Here both express deduction; 'must' is more subjective.
Example: It must be cold outside; everyone's wearing coats.
Example: It must be cold outside; everyone's wearing coats.
Challenge Q.6
"Used to" vs "Would" for past habits. When can't 'would' replace 'used to'?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Would' is only for repeated actions, not past states. 'Used to' works for both. E.g., "I used to live in Delhi" (state); not "I would live in Delhi."
Example: She used to be shy. (Not 'would be').
Example: She used to be shy. (Not 'would be').
Challenge Q.7
"Did you used to play here?" Correct the sentence.
Show Answer
Answer: "Did you use to play here?"
Explanation: With 'did', the base form 'use to' is used (no 'd').
Example: She didn't use to like coffee.
Explanation: With 'did', the base form 'use to' is used (no 'd').
Example: She didn't use to like coffee.
Challenge Q.8
"She can't have done it." vs "She mustn't have done it." Which is correct for impossibility?
Show Answer
Answer: "She can't have done it" expresses past impossibility. "Mustn't have" is not standard for past deduction; use "can't have" for negative certainty.
Example: He can't have forgotten; I reminded him twice.
Example: He can't have forgotten; I reminded him twice.
Challenge Q.9
"Need I go now?" vs "Do I need to go now?" Which is more formal?
Show Answer
Answer: "Need I go now?" uses 'need' as a modal auxiliary and is more formal/old-fashioned. "Do I need to go?" uses 'need' as a main verb and is common.
Example: Need we bring anything? (formal) / Do we need to bring anything? (common).
Example: Need we bring anything? (formal) / Do we need to bring anything? (common).
Challenge Q.10
"You shall go to the ball!" (fairy tale). What is the function of 'shall' here?
Show Answer
Answer: Promise / Determination
Explanation: 'Shall' with second/third person can express a strong promise, command, or inevitability (often in formal/literary contexts).
Example: You shall have your reward.
Explanation: 'Shall' with second/third person can express a strong promise, command, or inevitability (often in formal/literary contexts).
Example: You shall have your reward.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Quick answers about modals and auxiliaries.
FAQ 1
What are modal verbs?
Show Answer
Answer: Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, ought to) are helping verbs that express ability, permission, obligation, possibility, advice, etc. They are followed by the base verb.
FAQ 2
What is the difference between 'must' and 'have to'?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Must' often expresses the speaker's personal feeling of obligation. 'Have to' expresses an external obligation (rules, laws). In practice, they often overlap.
FAQ 3
Can we use 'to' after a modal verb?
Show Answer
Answer: Generally no. Modals are followed by the base form without 'to'. Exception: 'ought to' always includes 'to'.
FAQ 4
What are primary auxiliaries?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Be', 'have', and 'do'. They help form tenses, questions, negatives, and passive voice. They can also function as main verbs.
FAQ 5
How do we express past ability: 'could' or 'was able to'?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Could' for general past ability. 'Was/were able to' (or 'managed to') for a specific past achievement, especially when something was difficult.
