Modal Verbs
Modal verbs help us express ability, requests, plans, advice, and obligation.
Learning goals
- Choose a modal verb that matches the meaning.
- Use modal + base verb correctly.
- Make clear requests, offers, advice, and safety statements.
1. Useful modal meanings
| Modal | Common meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| can | ability or informal request | I can drive. / Can you help me? |
| could | polite request or possibility | Could you repeat that? |
| will | future plan, promise, or offer | I will call tomorrow. |
| should | advice | You should rest. |
| must | strong obligation or rule | Workers must wear gloves. |
Form: Subject + modal + base verb. Say She can work, not She can works.
Activity A — Choose the meaning
- “You should call the doctor.” This expresses ability / advice.
- “Employees must use safety glasses.” This expresses a rule / a past action.
- “Could you speak more slowly?” This is a polite request / a promise.
- “I will bring the form tomorrow.” This is a future plan / an ability.
Activity B — Complete the sentence
Use can · could · will · should · must. More than one answer may be possible.
- __________ you show me where to sign?
- I __________ send the message after class.
- You __________ keep this medicine away from children.
- Rosa __________ speak English and Spanish.
- We __________ practice before the interview.
Activity C — Make it more polite
Rewrite each command as a polite request with could.
- Repeat the question. → ________________________________________
- Help me with this form. → ____________________________________
- Open the door. → _____________________________________________
Speaking practice — Solve the situation
Choose one situation. Give a request, a plan, and one piece of advice.
- You do not understand an instruction at work.
- Your friend has an important appointment tomorrow.
- A new student wants to improve English quickly.
Quick check
- Correct the sentence: She can speaks English.
- Write one safety rule with must.
- Write one polite request with could.
Teacher index — online only (not included when printing)
Lesson guidance and answer key
Warm-up: Show three situations: ability, advice, and a rule. Ask learners what each speaker might say.
Activity A: advice; a rule; a polite request; a future plan.
Activity B suggested: Could; will; must; can; should.
Activity C: Could you repeat the question/help me with this form/open the door?
Quick check: She can speak English. Other answers vary.
Extension: Learners create five workplace or classroom signs using must, must not, and can.