Modal Verbs Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on can, could, may, might, must, should, will and would. Test ability, permission, obligation, advice and deduction.
Modal Verbs — FAQ
Modal verbs are auxiliary (helping) verbs that express possibility, ability, permission, obligation, or advice. The main modals are: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, and ought to. They are followed by the base infinitive and do not change form — there is no -s in the third person singular.
'Must' implies the speaker's own feeling of obligation (internal): You must try this — it's delicious. 'Have to' implies external obligation from rules or other people: I have to wear a uniform at work. 'Have to' is more commonly used in questions and negatives since 'must' has no past tense form.
'Should' expresses advice or a mild recommendation: You should see a doctor. 'Ought to' has the same meaning but is slightly more formal and less common in questions and negatives. 'Should have' expresses criticism or regret about the past: You should have called me.
Both are used to ask for or give permission, but 'may' is more formal. In everyday speech, 'can' is far more common: Can I sit here? 'May' is preferred in formal situations: May I leave the room? Traditionally 'can' referred only to ability, but this distinction has largely disappeared in modern English.
'Must' expresses strong positive deduction (She must be tired — I'm almost sure). 'Can't' or 'couldn't' expresses strong negative deduction (That can't be right). 'Might', 'may', and 'could' express weaker possibility (He might be at home — I'm not sure). The degree of certainty decreases from must to might.
These modal perfect forms refer to the past. 'Could have' = was possible but didn't happen. 'Should have' = was the right thing to do but didn't happen (regret/criticism). 'Would have' = the result of an unreal past condition. All follow: modal + have + past participle.
Yes. 'Will' can describe typical or characteristic behaviour in the present (He will sit and watch TV for hours). This usage expresses a predictable, characteristic pattern. It can sound slightly critical or resigned depending on context.
'May' and 'might' both express possibility, but 'might' suggests a slightly lower probability. It may rain (fairly possible) vs It might rain (possible but less certain). In practice the distinction is subtle and they are often interchangeable. 'May' is also used for permission (formal), while 'might' is not.
Most modals do not have simple past forms. 'Can' → 'could' (past ability), 'may' → 'might' (past possibility), 'will' → 'would' (past future). For past obligation, 'had to' is used instead of 'must'. For past permission, 'was/were allowed to' is used.
Yes. Modal verbs can be combined with the passive: modal + be + past participle. Examples: The package should be delivered tomorrow. / The problem could be solved easily. The passive with modals carries the same modal meaning — obligation, possibility, advice — applied to the passive action.