Modals

Rules

1. Can = ability; may = permission or possibility; must = strong duty or certainty.
2. Should/ought to = advice or moral duty. 'Ought' takes 'to'.
3. Need not / needn't = no necessity. Must not = prohibition.
4. A modal is followed by the base form: She can swim (not 'can swims').

Examples

• You must wear a helmet.
• You needn't buy a new pen.
• We ought to respect our elders.

Practice MCQs

1. She ___ speak four languages.

   1. can
   2. must
   3. ought
   4. need
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) can. Ability takes 'can'.

2. ___ I come in, sir?

   1. Can
   2. May
   3. Must
   4. Should
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) May. Formal permission takes 'may'.

3. You ___ not smoke here; it is prohibited.

   1. need
   2. must
   3. may
   4. would
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) must. Prohibition takes 'must not'.

4. We ___ to help the poor.

   1. should
   2. must
   3. ought
   4. can
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) ought. Only 'ought' is followed by 'to'.

5. Choose the correct sentence.

   1. He can swims well.
   2. He can swim well.
   3. He cans swim well.
   4. He can to swim well.
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) He can swim well.. A modal takes the base form of the verb.

6. You ___ bring an umbrella; it won't rain.

   1. must
   2. needn't
   3. mustn't
   4. ought
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) needn't. No necessity takes 'needn't'.