This form may be used in positive or negative, for general or specific ability. Modal verbs upper intermediate level my students find modal verbs quite difficult and get mixed up. Modal verbs of ability exercise 1 perfect english grammar. Type use modal verbs example 1 expressing ability can maria can drive. Permission can, may, could can is most often used to ask for or give permission but may and could are also possible even. The sentences are given in jumbled order and use the third singular person as the subject. Learn about the usage of modal verbs and their alternative forms in english grammar with lingolias online lesson. Can, could, must, should, ought to, have to, be allowed, be permitted.
Students are sent a powerpoint in a pdf format and they have to express ability using the images found in the pdf file as reference. He could go home early if he finished all the work first. Modal verbs permission, obligation, prohibition, necessity. They are always followed by the simple form of a verb. The modals are used to do things like talking about ability, asking permission making requests, and so on. But they can also express ideas such as willingness and ability, permission and refusal, obiligation and prohibition, suggestion, necessity, promise and intention modal verbs expressing certainty, probability or possibility. They have various uses such as ability, possiblity or necessity and so on. Permission can, may, could can is most often used to ask for or give permission but may and could are also possible even though they are not used as often as can. Pdf modal verbs of ability and permission exercise ximena. They are also used in a sentence to express ability, asking permission, making requests and offers, and so on. We use can and cant to talk about the ability to do something at a specific time in the present or future. Double concept modal modal concept examples shall 1 educated expression offer excuse me, i shall go now shall i clean it. English esl modal verbs powerpoint presentations most.
Modal verbs are helpingauxiliary verbs that express ideas like ability, permission, possibility, and necessity. Modal verbs pdf worksheets english vocabulary and grammar. Real modal verbs have fewer forms than other verbs. Modal verbs exercises pdf can, may, must, need not. Last week, we went to the beach and i could see that she can swim and surf really well. In this way, theyll have the chance to see modal verbs in proper contexts and have the opportunity to correct or discuss must or have to with their partners. Can could may might will would must shall should ought to. Choose the correct modal verb for these statements of ability. This is a free intermediate english grammar quiz and esl worksheet. The download at the end will give you additional practice in using modals. Test yourself with our free english language quiz about modals permission and requests. Most grammars consider ought to a semi modal, that is, a verb that is in some ways like a modal and in other ways like a main verb. Modal verbs of ability esl activities games worksheets.
We show the modal verbs used in the context of a music concert. May is a polite modal verb used to ask for permission. Modals of ability 1 can, could, be able to, may, might choose the best modal for each sentence. Modal verbs of ability and permission exercise at autoenglish. You could come in later tomorrow, but it would really be a problem. Hello sonukumar, if we say noone could break it then we could be speaking generally it was not possible or specifically people tried and failed. During the activity students in two groups write different obligations for susan and then swap their worksheets to check their partners.
I cant breathe we use could and couldnt to talk about the past. We use modal auxiliary verbs can, may, must in the english language for various meanings ability, possiblity, probability, certainty, permission, prohibition. In this modal verbs of ability activity, students play a true or false game to practice modal verbs of ability and expressions with be able to. Ability, permission, requests and advicesuggestion. This modal verbs for permission lesson shows you how to use may, can, and could. Permission, prohibition, obligation, no obligation. Practise using modal verbs can and could and be able to for ability. Modal verbs of ability exercise learnenglishonline. All of them except for need can express degress of certainty, probability or possibility of an event.
Learn how to use modal verbs to express ability in english with useful grammar rules, example sentences, video and esl picture. The modal verbs in english grammar are can, could, may, might, must, need not, shallwill, shouldought to. We use the word can to talk about abilities and possibilities. We use can and cant to talk about someones skill or general abilities. They are used to express meaning connected with the ideas of ability, obligation, freedom to act and opportunity, and to assess the likelihood of events. They cant dance very well we use can and cant to talk about the ability to do something at a specific time in the present or future i can see you. The put your knowledge to the test in the free interactive exercises.
If we need a form that is not available, we use phrases such as be allowed to. Modal verbs permission, permission modal verbs, modals of permissions in english. To talk about past ability and possibility, we use couldcouldnt or waswere able to. Advanced modal auxiliary verbs weloveteachingenglish.
The most commonly used modals are shall, should, will, would, can, could, may, might, must, ought to, used to, need and dare. Grammar current vocabulary current speaking current reading current writing current exercises current modal verbs in english pdf. Modal verbs dont have a past form except can and a past participle 3 rd form. Advanced modal auxiliary verbs english learning resources. I had to create this from scratch since nothing i found was to my entire satisfaction. Get modal verbs of permission definitions, idioms, and exercises here. Modal verbs can be used to give or ask for permission. Pdf modal verbs of ability and permission exercise. Use the following formula when talking about ability with these modals. Below are the six types of modals we use most often in english. She is one of the most talented person i know, she can cook delicious food, she can drive a car but she rides her bike to work. They express modes such as ability, possibility, probability, permission, obligation, etc. Ive made this worksheet and have tried to be as clear and bried as possible.
Please contact me if you have any questions or comments. Heres a helpful pdf worksheet which covers must and have to in the context of chores around. Elementary intermediate advanced m006 modal verbs must, mustnt, dont have to, should, shouldnt, might, can. There are 2 modals of ability, can and could past tense.
Shall 2 contractual obligation the company shall pay on january 1st could 1 unreal ability i could go if i had time could 2 past ability she could play the pianobut she cant anymore can 1 present ability we can speak english can 2 permission. Modal verbs modal verbs also called modal auxiliary verbs express a variety of attitudes moods towards a possible action or state the lexical verb refers to. Modal verbs are types of auxiliary verbs which express necessity, ability, permission or possibility. We use the modal can to talk about permission or ask for things at present. Writing current exercises current modal verbs in english pdf. This modal verbs of ability exercise checks your understanding of using can, could, and will be able to. We also use modal verbs to ask permission or to give advice. Links to the exercises are at the bottom of the page. The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, shall, should, will and would. Jan 24, 2017 learn how to use the modal verbs can, may, and could to ask for permission. A presentation to introduce and explain modal verbs. Modal verbs upper intermediate level interactive worksheet.
If we say noone was able to break it then we are speaking specifically people tried and failed. When we want to express permission, prohibition not allowing something, obligation or no obligation we use modal verbs. They are used with other verbs to express ability, obligation, possibility, and permission. In this lesson we are going to explain the modals which express, ability, permission, requests and advice. The modal verbs of permission can also indicate politness and respect. All downloads are in pdf format and consist of a worksheet and answer sheet to check your results. We can also use could and may to talk general permission in the past. Ability can be expressed using modal verbs and phrases. Review modal verbs of ability here download this quiz in pdf here. I can speak french i cant speak russian last year i could run very fast.
It will be an excellent activity after the grammar introduction to consolidate making sentences with can and could to talk about abilities in present and past. I talk about how to use these verbs and give you example sentences. Modal verbs of ability and permission exercise check through the different uses. Modals of ability exercise 1 put in can cant could couldnt. Can cant shows ability, inability, request, permission, possibility, and. To use able to with a general meaning we would need to say noone would be able to break it. A worksheet to consolidate modals of ability in present and past. Modal verbs of permission, obligation and advice esl. Learn how to use the modal verbs can, may, and could to ask for permission. We also use it make requests, or to ask for and give permission.
Modals are those helping verbs, which express the mode or manner of the actions indicated by the main verbs. Modal verbs can, may, must english grammar english4u. We use can and cant to talk about someones skill or general abilities she can speak several languages. Modal verbs worksheets, printable exercises pdf, handouts. Modal verbs are often difficult to learn because they can be used in a variety of situations. Apr 02, 2018 learn how to use modal verbs to express ability in english with useful grammar rules, example sentences, video and esl picture. If none is possible, use be able to in the correct tense. Grammar worksheets modal verbs modals of obligation modals for ability, logical conclusion, necessity, obligation, permission, possibility, prohibition and requests. English modalsverbs that express ability, permission. Students makes two or three teams and they play charades using the action verbs. Students complete the worksheet with true or false information about their abilities as indicated. Cancould, may, and be allowed to a general points there cannot be more than one real modal verb in a single clause or verb group.