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Content updated on 20 April 2026
What's the difference between "I can swim" and "I may swim"? When should you use "must" instead of "have to"? Modal verbs and auxiliaries add layers of meaning—ability, permission, possibility, obligation, and more—to our sentences. This lesson for Class 9–10 students unpacks the primary helping verbs and the full range of modal auxiliaries with clear explanations and practical examples.
✅ Recommended for: Class 9-10 (Advanced) | CBSE & UP Board
In this post you will get:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
- Primary Auxiliaries vs Modal Auxiliaries
- Primary Auxiliaries: Be, Have, Do
- Complete List of Modal Verbs
- Can and Could (Ability, Permission, Possibility)
- May and Might (Permission, Possibility)
- Must and Have To (Obligation, Necessity)
- Shall and Should (Suggestion, Duty)
- Will and Would (Future, Willingness, Habit)
- Ought To, Need, Dare (Semi-Modals)
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Solved Examples
- Practice Questions
- ๐ Worksheet: Modal Verbs & Auxiliaries
Auxiliary verbs, also called helping verbs, assist the main verb to express tense, voice, mood, or emphasis. There are two broad categories: primary auxiliaries (be, have, do) and modal auxiliaries (can, could, may, might, must, etc.). Understanding how these work is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and nuanced sentences in both academic and everyday English.
Auxiliary Verb: A helping verb used with a main verb to form tenses, questions, negatives, or to add meaning.
Modal Verb: A type of auxiliary that expresses ability, permission, possibility, obligation, advice, etc. (e.g., can, must, should).
Modal Verb: A type of auxiliary that expresses ability, permission, possibility, obligation, advice, etc. (e.g., can, must, should).
Primary Auxiliaries vs Modal Auxiliaries
| Feature | Primary Auxiliaries (Be, Have, Do) | Modal Auxiliaries (Can, Must, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Change form? | Yes (am/is/are, was/were, has/have/had) | No (same for all subjects) |
| Followed by | Various forms (V1+ing, V3, base form) | Always base form (V1) without 'to' |
| Function | Form tenses, questions, negatives, passive | Express modality (ability, permission, etc.) |
| Can be main verb? | Yes ("I am happy." "She has a car." "He does his work.") | No (except in short answers) |
Modal verbs are often tested alongside tense and voice. To practice modals in various contexts, use the
Modals and Auxiliaries Worksheet.
For a refresher on how helping verbs form continuous and perfect tenses, review
Present Tenses and
Past Tenses worksheets.
Primary Auxiliaries: Be, Have, Do
- Be (am, is, are, was, were, being, been): Forms continuous tenses and passive voice.
She is reading. (Present Continuous) / The work was done. (Passive) - Have (has, have, had): Forms perfect tenses.
I have finished my homework. (Present Perfect) - Do (do, does, did): Forms questions and negatives in simple present and past.
Do you like coffee? / She does not eat meat. / Did they arrive?
Complete List of Modal Verbs
| Modal | Primary Meanings | Example |
|---|---|---|
| can | ability, permission, possibility | I can swim. |
| could | past ability, polite request, possibility | Could you help me? |
| may | permission, possibility | May I come in? |
| might | weak possibility | It might rain later. |
| must | strong obligation, logical certainty | You must wear a seatbelt. |
| shall | future (formal), suggestion, offer | Shall we dance? |
| should | advice, duty, expectation | You should exercise daily. |
| will | future, willingness, promise | I will call you later. |
| would | past habit, polite request, conditional | She would always help me. |
| ought to | moral duty, strong advice | We ought to respect elders. |
| need | necessity (mostly negative/interrogative) | You need not worry. |
| dare | courage, challenge | How dare you speak like that? |
Can and Could (Ability, Permission, Possibility)
- Can (present ability): I can speak three languages. / She can drive.
- Can (informal permission): You can use my phone.
- Can (possibility): It can get very cold here in winter.
- Could (past ability): When I was young, I could run very fast.
- Could (polite request): Could you please pass the salt?
- Could (possibility - less certain): The roads could be blocked due to snow.
May and Might (Permission, Possibility)
- May (formal permission): May I leave early today?
- May (strong possibility): She may join us for dinner. (50-60% chance)
- Might (weak possibility): It might rain this evening. (30-40% chance)
- Might (past of 'may' in reported speech): She said she might come.
Hindi expresses modality using words like เคธเคเคจा (can), เคाเคนिเค (should), เคชเคก़เคจा (must). Explore these on the
Kriya (เค्เคฐिเคฏा) Hub.
For targeted modal practice, download the
Modals and Auxiliaries Worksheet.
You can also see modals in formal contexts on
Formal Communication.
Must and Have To (Obligation, Necessity)
- Must (internal obligation / speaker's authority): I must finish this project tonight. / You must follow the rules.
- Must (logical certainty): She must be at home; the lights are on.
- Have to (external obligation / rules): I have to wear a uniform to school.
- Must not (prohibition): You must not smoke here.
- Not have to (lack of necessity): You don't have to come if you're busy.
Shall and Should (Suggestion, Duty)
- Shall (future with I/we - formal): I shall return by evening.
- Shall (offer/suggestion): Shall I open the window?
- Should (advice/recommendation): You should see a doctor.
- Should (duty/obligation): We should help the poor.
- Should (expectation): The train should arrive soon.
Will and Would (Future, Willingness, Habit)
- Will (future): They will arrive tomorrow.
- Will (willingness/promise): I will always love you.
- Would (past of 'will' in reported speech): He said he would call.
- Would (polite request): Would you like some tea?
- Would (past habit): Every evening, she would sit by the window and read.
- Would (conditional): If I were rich, I would travel the world.
Ought To, Need, Dare (Semi-Modals)
- Ought to: Expresses moral duty or strong advice. (Similar to 'should' but more formal.)
We ought to respect our parents. - Need (as modal): Used in negatives and questions to express necessity.
You need not hurry. / Need I say more? - Dare (as modal): Expresses courage or challenge, mainly in negatives and questions.
How dare you say that? / She dare not speak against him.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Wrong ❌ | Right ✅ | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| She can to swim. | She can swim. | Modals are followed by base verb without 'to'. |
| You must to go now. | You must go now. | Same rule for 'must'. |
| He cans play guitar. | He can play guitar. | Modals do not take -s in third person. |
| She might comes later. | She might come later. | Base verb after modal. |
| Do I can help you? | Can I help you? | No 'do' with modal questions. |
Solved Examples
Solved Example 1
Q: Fill in with suitable modal: "You ______ (advice) study regularly."
Show Solution
Answer: should / ought to
Solved Example 2
Q: Fill in: "______ (Polite request) you pass the salt?"
Show Solution
Answer: Could / Would
Solved Example 3
Q: Correct: "He musts finish the work."
Show Solution
Answer: He must finish the work.
Solved Example 4
Q: Fill in: "I ______ (past ability) swim when I was five."
Show Solution
Answer: could
Practice Questions
Practice Q.1
You ______ (obligation) wear a helmet while riding.
Show Answer
Answer: must / should
Practice Q.2
______ (permission) I use your pen?
Show Answer
Answer: May / Can
Practice Q.3
It ______ (weak possibility) snow tonight.
Show Answer
Answer: might
Practice Q.4
She ______ (past habit) always tell us stories.
Show Answer
Answer: would
Practice Q.5
You ______ (no necessity) bring food; it's provided.
Show Answer
Answer: need not / don't have to
Why Mastering Modals is Essential
Modal verbs are the subtle tools of English that convey politeness, certainty, obligation, and possibility. They appear extensively in gap-filling, editing, and dialogue completion tasks in CBSE and UP Board exams. A strong command of modals also improves both formal and informal communication. Continue your practice with the Verbs and Tenses Hub and challenge yourself with Integrated Grammar exercises.
๐ Discover More GPN Resources
- Hindi Grammar Hub — เคนिंเคฆी เคต्เคฏाเคเคฐเคฃ เคा เคธเคฎ्เคชूเคฐ्เคฃ เค्เคाเคจ।
- GPN Knowledge Hub — Exam strategies and revision blueprints.
- Worksheets Master Hub — Practice sheets for every grammar topic.
- Mathematics Hub — Step-by-step math problem solving.
๐ Modal Verbs & Auxiliaries Worksheet
Test your understanding of modals with 50+ questions covering ability, permission, obligation, advice, and semi-modals like need and dare.
Go to Modal Verbs & Auxiliaries Worksheet →Answer key included • Perfect for Class 9–10 board exams
