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Primary English · Year 6Chapter 6 · Modal verbs, the perfect form and the passive
Year 6 English · Modal verbs, the perfect form and the passive · Lesson 6.1

Year 6 English: Modal verbs and modal adverbs: degrees of possibility

Part of the Year 6 English modal verbs, the perfect form and the passive chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

6.1

Modal verbs and modal adverbs: degrees of possibility

Year 6
Use modal verbs (might, should, will, must) and modal adverbs (perhaps, surely, possibly) to show degrees of possibility (Y5-6 grammar)
Story. Ruby is writing a weather report for the school magazine. She says it might rain, and that the match should be on time. She writes that perhaps the trip will be cancelled, and that surely the sun will come out at the weekend.

A modal verb is a verb that works with another verb to show how certain the speaker is, or what should happen. Modal verbs include might, could, should, will and must.

A modal adverb does the same job. Examples are perhaps, possibly and surely.

Degrees of possibility

WordDegreeExample
might, possibly, perhapsa possibility, not certainIt might rain later.
should, willan expectation, or adviceYou should wear a helmet.
must, surelya strong certaintyThe lights are on, so she must be home.

Key ideas

  • Modal verbs and modal adverbs show how sure the speaker is.
  • Might and perhaps show a possibility; must and surely show a strong certainty.
  • Should shows advice or what is expected.
Worked example 6.1.1
Which modal verb shows a strong certainty? The lights are on, so she ___ be at home. Choose must, might or could.

Method. Look at the evidence, then choose the modal that shows certainty.

  1. Find the evidence. The lights are on, which is strong evidence.
    the lights are on
  2. Choose the modal. Must shows a strong certainty, based on the evidence.
    must
  3. Check the other choices. Might and could show possibilities, not certainty.
    might, could
  4. Write the answer.
    must

Check. must shows a strong certainty. ✓

Worked example 6.1.2
Which modal adverb fits: ___, the match will be cancelled because of the rain. Choose perhaps or surely.

Method. The speaker is not certain, so the adverb shows a possibility.

  1. Decide the degree. The speaker is not certain about the cancellation.
    not certain
  2. Choose the adverb. Perhaps shows a possibility, not a certainty.
    Perhaps
  3. Check the other choice. Surely would show a strong certainty, which does not fit.
    surely
  4. Write the answer.
    Perhaps

Check. perhaps shows a possibility. ✓

Worked example 6.1.3
Which word shows advice: You ___ wear a helmet when you ride a bike. Choose should, might or must.

Method. Think about whether the sentence gives advice.

  1. Find the meaning. The sentence tells you what is right to do.
    what is right
  2. Choose the modal. Should gives advice.
    should
  3. Check the others. Might gives a possibility, and must would be a rule, not advice.
    might, must
  4. Write the answer.
    should

Check. should gives advice. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: a modal verb is followed by the base form of the verb, with no to: it might rain, not it might to rain.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say three sentences about tomorrow, using might, should and must, and to say how sure they are about each one.

Exercise 6A  Practice: modal verbs and modal adverbs

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: It ___ rain later, so take an umbrella. Choose one: must, might or should.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The lights are on, so she ___ be at home. Choose one: might, must or could.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: You ___ wear a helmet when you ride a bike. Choose one: should, might or will.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The train ___ be on time, because the timetable says so. Choose one: might, should or could.
5
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: We ___ be late, but I am not sure yet. Choose one: must, might or should.
6
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The shop ___ be open, because it is nine o'clock. Choose one: might, should or could.
7
PSChoose the word that completes the sentence: ___, the match will be cancelled because of the rain. Choose one: Perhaps or Surely.
8
PSChoose the word that completes the sentence: ___ the shop is open, because it is nine o'clock. Choose one: Perhaps or Surely.
9
PSChoose the word that completes the sentence: ___ it will be sunny at the weekend. Choose one: Possibly or Surely.
10
PSWrite one sentence that uses might to show a possibility about the weather.
11
RExplain in one sentence the difference between it might rain and it must rain.
12
RWhich modal adverb shows that you are almost certain? Use it in one sentence.
13
FWrite the modal verb that gives advice in this sentence: You ___ bring a coat, because it is cold. Write the word only.
14
RWhich modal verb is followed by the base verb with no to: might, to or ought? Write the word only.
15
PSWrite one sentence about a school trip that uses will to show that it is certain to happen.
16
PSChoose the modal adverb: ___ the team will win, because they have trained hard. Write surely or perhaps.
17
RExplain why perhaps does not fit the sentence ___ the shop is open, because it is nine o'clock.
18
PSWrite one sentence that uses should to say what the reader ought to do.
19
RChoose the word that completes the sentence: Ben ___ be cold, because he is wearing only a t-shirt in the snow. Choose one: might, must or should.

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