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Modal Verbs Quiz | Present and Future (2) English Learners

How to Use Modal Verbs Present & Future

Modals are 'helper verbs' that express:

  • necessity
  • possibility
  • ability

Here are some common ones:

can

Implies ability or capacity.

  • "I can swim very well."


    • could

    Use could to express possibility or ability in the present, for past ability, or to suggest something in the future.

  • I could go to the gym if I finish my work early. (present tense)

  • "I could run a mile when I was younger" (past tense)

  • "We could go to the park tomorrow if it's sunny." (future tense/meaning)


    • may

    Use for permission or possibility.

  • "May I take a cookie?" or "It may rain tonight."


    • might

    A less certain version of may.

  • "I might go to the concert."


    • should

    Use for recommendations or advice.

  • "You should drink more water."


    • must

    Expresses necessity or strong recommendation.

  • "You must submit your assignment by Friday."


    • have to

    Expresses obligation or necessity.

  • "I have to go to work now."


    • bound to

    (a) Expressing strong probability or inevitability

  • "It's bound to rain soon."

  • If you keep eating junk food, you're bound to gain weight.

    • This suggests a high probability or inevitability that you will gain weight if you continue with a certain behavior.

    (b) Expressing certainty or assurance

  • She's bound to succeed with her talent and hard work.

    • Here, it expresses a strong belief or assurance that she will succeed due to her talents and efforts.

    (c) Expressing obligation or necessity

  • You're bound to repay the loan by the end of the month.

    • This indicates an obligation or necessity to repay the loan within a specific time frame.

    (d) Expressing predictability or consistency

  • With his dedication, he's bound to improve his skills over time.

    • This suggests that, given his dedication, it's predictable or consistent that he will improve his skills.

    When using "bound to," you emphasize a sense of certainty, inevitability, or obligation.


    These verbs can also be combined with other words to create stronger statements.

    For example, we can say "must have" or "can't be".

    must have

    (a) Expressing strong probability or deduction

  • She must have forgotten her keys at home.

  • Suggests a strong probability or deduction that she forgot her keys.

    • (b) Expressing past obligation or necessity

  • He must have finished his homework by now.

    • Here, it implies that he had an obligation or necessity to finish his homework, and it's likely that he has done it.

    (c) Expressing past certainty

  • The package must have arrived by now; it's been two days.

    • Expresses certainty that the package should have arrived considering the time that has passed.


    can't be

    (a) Expressing Strong Negation or Impossibility

  • It can't be true; I just spoke to him yesterday.

    • This strongly negates the possibility that something is true based on recent information.

    (b) Expressing Strong Certainty About a Negative Situation

  • She can't be at the meeting; I saw her leave early.

    • This expresses certainty that she is not at the meeting because the speaker saw her leave.

    (c) Expressing Strong Doubt or Skepticism

  • That can't be the right answer; it doesn't make sense.

    • Here, the statement expresses doubt or skepticism about the given answer because it doesn't seem logical or plausible.

    When combining modal verbs like "must" or "can't" with "have," it often adds a layer of certainty or emphasis to the statement.


    Using each modal verb correctly is essential for producing accurate and natural-sounding English.

    Modals are important for expressing nuanced ideas in English and can help you communicate more effectively.

    Try incorporating them into your conversations!

    Modal Verb Quiz Present & Future [4]

    1. You __________ expect me to know everything!

    must
    can't
    have to

    2. He __________ to get there before we do.

    must
    is bound
    is able

    3. __________ attend the meeting?

    Am I
    Must I
    Do I have to

    4. Do you think there's anyone who ___________ help?

    has to
    can
    must

    5. I'm sure we __________ be there by now. They said the journey only takes an hour.

    must
    might
    should




    Score =


    Correct answers:


    Quiz 1 Quiz 5 Quiz 6

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