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Primary English · Year 5Chapter 5 · Modal verbs, possibility and the perfect form
Year 5 English · Modal verbs, possibility and the perfect form · Lesson 5.1

Year 5 English: Modal verbs: might, should, will, must, can, could and may

Part of the Year 5 English modal verbs, possibility and the perfect form chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

5.1

Modal verbs: might, should, will, must, can, could and may

Year 5
Use modal verbs (might, should, will, must, can, could, may) to show possibility and obligation (G5-2)
Story. Kai is planning a camping trip. He says, We might see owls tonight, we should pack a torch, and we must keep the tent zipped. He uses small helping verbs before the main verb. These are modal verbs.

Key pattern

A modal verb is a helping verb. It comes before the main verb and changes its meaning.

might and may show possibility: it might rain.

should shows advice: you should wear a coat.

must shows something is necessary or very likely: you must wash your hands.

After a modal verb, the main verb is always in the base form: I can swim, not I can swimming.

Key ideas

  • Modal verbs include might, may, should, will, must, can and could.
  • Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the main verb: can run, should wait.
  • Modal verbs do not change for different people: I can, she can.
  • A modal verb changes the meaning: she might come means she may come, not she comes.
Worked example 5.1.1
Which modal verb shows advice in You should wear a helmet?

Method. Look for the word that gives advice.

  1. Find the modal verb. Should is a modal verb.
    should
  2. Check the meaning. Should gives advice about what is best to do.
    advice
  3. Write the answer.
    should

Check. Should. ✓

Worked example 5.1.2
Write the main verb after the modal verb in The train might be late.

Method. The main verb comes straight after the modal verb.

  1. Find the modal verb. Might is the modal verb.
    might
  2. Find the main verb. After might comes be, in the base form.
    be
  3. Write the answer.
    be

Check. Be. ✓

Worked example 5.1.3
Which modal verb shows that something is necessary: could or must?

Method. Think about what is needed.

  1. Read each modal. Could shows ability or possibility; must shows necessity.
    necessity
  2. Choose the word. Must shows something is necessary.
    must
  3. Write the answer.
    must

Check. Must. ✓

Exercise 5A  Practice: modal verbs

1
FFind the modal verb in The shop might open late today.
2
FWrite the main verb after should in You should wash your hands.
3
FChoose a modal verb: We ____ go to the park after lunch. (It is necessary.)
4
FChoose a modal verb for possibility: It ____ snow tonight, but I am not sure.
5
FChoose a modal verb for permission: ____ I borrow your pen, please?
6
FChoose a modal verb for ability: When I was five, I ____ swim across the pool.
7
FWhich modal verb is in The bus will arrive at six o'clock?
8
PSRewrite with should as advice: Take an umbrella. Write the sentence with should.
9
PSChoose the correct form: They ____ finished the test before the bell.
10
PSWrite the modal verb that makes this sentence about possibility: Sam ____ be ill, because he is pale.
11
PSWrite one sentence that uses could to show ability.
12
RAli says might and must both show certainty. Is he right? Explain.
13
RExplain why washes is wrong in You must washes your hands.

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