Basic Grammar Rules
Modals always stay the same and are added to the base form of the following verb.
Do not add "s"
She shoulds study. = incorrect
He should studies.= incorrect
Do not add -ing
We can studying.= incorrect
Do not add -ed
They could studied in the library last year.= incorrect
Do not add "to" between verbs
I might to go to the party. = incorrect
Do not combine multiple modals
I might will go to the party.= incorrect
I will can work now.= incorrect
Modals in Perfect Tenses
- Past = X + modal +have or has + past participle
- She must have gone to lunch already. (logical conclusion)
- I shouldn't have eaten all that cake. (regrets)
- We might have missed the bus. (past possibility/logical conclusion)
- We will have finished this project by the time our friend comes over. (Future Perfect)
More Rules
Video Review
Practice
- Modal Exercise 1 can, could, have to, must, might and should
- Modal Exercise 2 have to and must
- Modal Exercise 3 might, must, should, could, have to and ought to
- Modal Exercise 4 couldn't and might not
- Modal Exercise 5 may, had better, have got to, *shall
- Modal Exercise 6 could, might, should and would
- Modal Exercise 7 modal verb forms
- Modal Verb Final Test complete review
- Grammar Challenge + Quizzes Must/Mustn't
- Grammar Challenge + Quizzes Have to/ don't Have to
Writing
1. Find a picture of a magazine. Write a series of logical deductions like, "She must be on her way to work", "She could have just gone shopping", "She might be late" etc.
2. Write a conversation about promises. Then, write a second conversation re-telling the first one in the past. Use "will" and "would".
3. What is the difference between "have to" and "must"? What is the difference between "not have to" and "must not". Please explain with examples.
4. Please write a script for a weather report using modals for future probability.
5. Please discuss your abilities or inabilities in the past, present, and future.
2. Write a conversation about promises. Then, write a second conversation re-telling the first one in the past. Use "will" and "would".
3. What is the difference between "have to" and "must"? What is the difference between "not have to" and "must not". Please explain with examples.
4. Please write a script for a weather report using modals for future probability.
5. Please discuss your abilities or inabilities in the past, present, and future.