How Do I Use Modal Verbs? Grammar Quiz for English Learners

Common Modal Verb Errors

They should to check the weather before they leave. ✖
She can play the guitar after dinner. ✔
She can swim very fast in the pool. ✔
He can speaking three languages fluently. ✖

Common errors when using English modal verb structures

The modal auxiliary verbs below use the structure "modal verb + infinitive" (without 'to')

can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would

Examples:

When traveling, we should respect the customs of the countries we visit. (NOT should to respect; should respecting)
You must wear a helmet when cycling to protect your head in case of an accident. (NOT must to wear; must wearing)
Can you help me with this project? I believe your expertise would greatly benefit our team. (NOT can to help; can helping)
In emergency situations, you might need to act quickly to ensure everyone's safety. (NOT might to need; might needing)

Modal verb questions and negatives do not use the auxiliary verb "do":

May I join you? (NOT Do I may join you?)
Should we start now? (NOT Do we should start now?)
They couldn't come yesterday. (NOT They did not could come yesterday.)

When expressing obligation or necessity with "have" or "need", use "to + infinitive":

You have to submit your report by Friday.
She needs to decide soon.

In questions and negatives, "have to" and "need to" act as typical verbs, so we use "do":

Do I need to make a reservation in advance? (NOT need I to make …)
He mentioned I don't have to worry about parking. (NOT I haven't to worry …)

Test your knowledge of how to use modal verbs with this short quiz.

Which sentence is correct?

When you finish you can check your answers. Good luck!

English Modal Verbs Quiz

1.
You can find charging stations for electric cars in most shopping centers.
Can you find charging stations for electric cars in most shopping centers.
You can finds charging stations for electric cars in most shopping centers.

2.
We should not disregard renewable energies as a viable solution.
We not should disregard renewable energies as a viable solution.
Should we not disregard renewable energies as a viable solution?

3.
If we aim to reduce pollution, we must to invest in clean technologies.
If we aim to reduce pollution, we must invest in clean technologies.
If we aim to reduce pollution, we musting invest in clean technologies.

4.
We don't have to eliminate plastic use completely but could reduce it significantly.
We don't have to eliminating plastic use completely but could reduce it significantly.
We not have to eliminate plastic use completely but could reduce it significantly.

5.
Do we can achieve zero waste in our communities within the next decade?
We can achieve zero waste in our communities within the next decade?
Can we achieve zero waste in our communities within the next decade?

6.
Need you to bring your own bags when shopping at this market?
You need to bringing your own bags when shopping at this market?
Do you need to bring your own bags when shopping at this market?

7.
You must to dedicate more time to practice if you aim to improve your skills.
You must dedicating more time to practice if you aim to improve your skills.
You must dedicate more time to practice if you aim to improve your skills.

8.
In our office, we must turn all electronics off before leaving.
In our office, we must to turn all electronics off before leaving.
We must turning all electronics off in our office before leaving.

Score =

Correct answers:

Modals Quiz 1

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