1. What Are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary (or helping) verb that express necessity,
possibility, ability, permission, or obligation. They work alongside the main verb
to convey a specific mood or tone.

2. Common Modal Verbs

The most commonly used modal verbs are:
Can / Could
May / Might
Will / Would
Shall / Should
Must
Ought to
3. Why Are Modal Verbs Used?
Modal verbs are used to:
1. Express Ability: Indicating if someone can do something.
Example: "She can speak French."
2. Show Possibility: Indicating that something is possible.
Example: "It might rain later."
3. Grant Permission: Allowing someone to do something.
Example: "You may leave the room."
4. Make Requests/Offers: Asking for something or offering help.
Example: "Could you help me with this?"
5. Give Advice/Recommendations: Suggesting a course of action.
Example: "You should see a doctor."
6. Indicate Obligation/Necessity: Showing something that is required.
Example: "You must wear a seatbelt."
7. Express Deduction/Certainty: Showing a level of certainty about something.
Example: "He must be at work by now."
 4. How Are Modal Verbs Used?

Modal verbs have unique characteristics:

No conjugation: They do not change forms based on the subject (no 's', 'ed', or
'ing' forms).
Example: "He can go," "They can go."
No infinitives: Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the main
verb (without 'to').
Example: "You should study."
Negation: Modal verbs are negated by adding 'not' or its contraction.
Example: "You should not smoke here."
Questions: Modal verbs are placed before the subject to form questions.
Example: "Can you swim?"

5. When Are Modal Verbs Used?

1. Can / Could
Can: Present ability or permission.
Example: "I can drive a car."
Could: Past ability or polite requests.
Example: "He could swim when he was young."
Example: "Could you open the door, please?"

2. May / Might
May: Formal permission or possibility.
Example: "You may enter the room."
Might: Less certain possibility or speculation.
Example: "It might snow tomorrow."

3. Will / Would
Will: Future actions or strong intentions.
Example: "I will call you tomorrow."
Would: Polite requests or hypothetical situations.
Example: "I would help if I could."
4. Shall / Should
Shall: Formal suggestions or future intentions (often in British English).
Example: "Shall we begin?"
Should: Advice or expectations.
Example: "You should eat more vegetables."

5. Must / Ought to
Must: Strong necessity or certainty.
Example: "You must wear a helmet."
Ought to: Advice or moral obligation.
Example: "You ought to apologize."

6. Tips for Using Modal Verbs

1. Modal verbs always pair with the base form of the verb (e.g., go, eat, study).
2. Modal verbs can convey different meanings based on context. For example:
Can could indicate ability ("I can swim") or permission ("You can leave now").
3. Some modal verbs express degrees of certainty:
Will and must express certainty.
Might and could express uncertainty.

7. Practice Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate modal verb:
1. You _______ bring your own lunch tomorrow. (permission)
2. He _______ be at the office; the lights are on. (deduction)
3. I _______ help you with your homework if I have time. (offer)
4. We _______ wear our uniforms to the meeting. (obligation)
5. _______ you pass me the salt, please? (request)
Fill in the blanks with appropriate modal verbs (can, could, may, might, will,
would, shall, should, must, ought to):

1. You _______ bring your books to class every day.

2. He _______ be tired after working so late last night.
3. _______ you help me with my homework, please?
4. We _______ go to the beach tomorrow if the weather is good.
5. You _______ not speak during the exam.
6. She _______ play the piano when she was younger.
7. They _______ finish the project by next week.
8. He _______ not have seen the email yet.
9. I _______ like to order a cup of coffee, please.
10. You _______ try to get more sleep.
11. _______ we meet at 3 PM tomorrow?
12. You _______ apologize to her for being rude.
13. We _______ be late if we don't leave now.
14. You _______ wear a helmet when riding a bike.
15. The teacher said we _______ submit our homework by Friday.
16. _______ I borrow your pen, please?
17. She _______ not attend the meeting because she was ill.
18. We _______ visit the museum this weekend.
19. You _______ practice every day if you want to improve.
20. I _______ help you with your assignment later.
21. The baby _______ start walking soon.
22. _______ you pass the salt, please?
23. She _______ call me when she arrives.
24. He _______ have been more careful with the fragile vase.
25. You _______ tell anyone about this secret.
26. The kids _______ play outside after they finish their homework.
27. You _______ lock the door when you leave the house.
28. He _______ not be home right now; I don't see his car.
29. They _______ have forgotten about the meeting.
30. She _______ take an umbrella with her, it looks like it will rain.
31. I _______ finish this report by tonight, no exceptions.
32. We _______ go to the park if it stops raining.
33. You _______ always listen to your parents' advice.
34. He _______ have left already; his desk is empty.
35. You _______ speak to the manager about your concerns.
36. We _______ not stay out too late; we have work tomorrow.
37. She _______ arrive any minute now.
38. You _______ study hard if you want to pass the exam.
39. He _______ have taken the wrong train, that's why he's late.
40. We _______ go to the movie tonight if we have time.
41. You _______ check with the doctor before starting any new medication.
42. He _______ not be able to attend the meeting tomorrow.
43. I _______ be happy to help you with your project.
44. You _______ make sure to back up your computer files regularly.
45. He _______ be at home by now; it's already late.
46. _______ I ask you a personal question?
47. They _______ have finished the painting by now.
48. You _______ not worry so much; everything will be fine.
49. I _______ not go to the party tonight; I have too much work to do.
50. We _______ meet at the café after class tomorrow.

1. Modal Verbs in Active Voice

In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed
by the verb. The structure is:
Subject + modal verb + base form of the main verb.

Examples:
Active (with modal verb): "She can solve the problem."
Active (with modal verb): "They must finish the project by tomorrow."

2. Modal Verbs in Passive Voice

In the passive voice, the subject receives the action, and the agent (who
performs the action) can be omitted or introduced with "by." The structure for
passive voice with modal verbs is:
Subject + modal verb + be + past participle (of the main verb).
Examples:
Passive (with modal verb): "The problem can be solved by her."
Passive (with modal verb): "The project must be finished by tomorrow."

Comparison Between Active and Passive Voice with Modal Verbs:

Active Voice Passive Voice

1. "She can write the report." "The report can be written by her."
2. "They must complete the task." "The task must be completed."
3. "He should fix the car." "The car should be fixed by him."
4. "You may open the door." "The door may be opened."
5. "We could build the house." "The house could be built by us."

Key Points:
In the active voice, the subject is the "doer" of the action.
In the passive voice, the subject is acted upon, and the agent (who performs
the action) can be included or left out.
In both cases, modal verbs like can, must, may, should, could, and might are
used in the same form.
When to Use Passive Voice with Modal Verbs:
The passive voice with modal verbs is often used when:
The focus is on the action itself or the recipient of the action, not who performs
the action.
The agent (doer) is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from the context.

Example:
Active: "The chef must prepare the food."
Passive: "The food must be prepared by the chef."

In this case, the passive voice emphasizes "the food" rather than "the chef."
Change the following sentences into the passive voice.
Active Voice Sentences:

Instructions for Changing to Passive Voice:

To convert these sentences into the passive voice, use the structure:
Object + modal verb + be + past participle (of the main verb).

For example:
Active: "She can solve the puzzle."
Passive: "The puzzle can be solved by her."

1. She can solve the puzzle.

2. They must finish the report by Friday.
3. He might close the door.
4. You should clean the kitchen.
5. The teacher could explain the topic.
6. We can build the bridge.
7. They may deliver the package tomorrow.
8. She will wash the dishes later.
9. The team ought to win the match.
10. He must sign the contract.
11. She should complete the assignment.
12. The mechanic can repair the car.
13. You might lock the door before leaving.
14. The company must launch the product next week.
15. They could organize the event.
16. The chef will cook the meal.
17. He should answer the questions.
18. They can solve the problem easily.
19. The engineer must check the machine.
20. The doctor may prescribe new medication.
21. You can water the plants.
22. They should file the complaint.
23. He will drive the car.
24. The committee must approve the budget.
25. The artist can paint the picture.
26. She might read the book tomorrow.
27. They could make the decision by Monday.
28. He should take care of the pet.
29. You must answer the email quickly.
30. The carpenter can fix the door.
31. They may visit the museum next week.
32. She will finish the project today.
33. He ought to write the report.
34. The team could present the findings.
35. You should check the documents.
36. The police must investigate the case.
37. They will announce the winner.
38. He may call the meeting.
39. She might decorate the room.
40. The staff should clean the office.
41. He can arrange the appointment.
42. They must test the software.
43. She will open the shop at 9 AM.
44. You could invite them to the party.
45. He ought to complete the task on time.
46. The students should write the essay.
47. The manager must review the proposal.
48. She can answer the question easily.
49. He might fix the computer.
50. They should plan the trip.