Hey Class 9 students! Modals (also called Modal Auxiliaries or Modal Verbs) are super important in English grammar. They're a special type of helping verb that modifies or changes the main verb to express things like possibility, ability, permission, request, obligation, or advice. Let's break down the essential modals you need to know!
1. What Are Modals?
Modals are always used before a main verb in its base form (V1).
Key Rules to Remember:
-
Always use the Base Form (V1): The verb that comes after a modal is always the simple, base form (e.g., go, play, study).
- Correct: She can sing well.
- Incorrect: She can sings well. / She can to sing well.
-
No 's' or 'es' for Third Person Singular: Modals don't change form for the third person singular (he, she, it).
- Correct: He must leave now.
- Incorrect: He musts leave now.
- No 'to' before the main verb: (Except for ought to and have to, which are sometimes grouped with modals/semi-modals).
2. The Main Modals and Their Uses
Here's a breakdown of the most common modals and what they express:
| Modal | Primary Use(s) | Example Sentence |
| Can | Ability (present) | I can solve this puzzle. |
| Permission (informal) | Can I borrow your pen? | |
| Possibility | Rain can cause traffic jams. | |
| Could | Ability (past) | She could swim when she was five. |
| Permission (more polite) | Could you please help me? | |
| Possibility (less certain) | We could go to the beach tomorrow. | |
| May | Permission (formal) | May I come in, ma'am? |
| Possibility (ber) | It may rain later today. | |
| Might | Possibility (weaker/remote) | He might be late for the meeting. |
| Will | Future action | I will see you tomorrow. |
| Willingness/Promise | I will definitely finish my homework. | |
| Would | Polite Request | Would you open the window? |
| Past Habit | We would play cricket every evening. | |
| Must | b Obligation/Necessity | You must wear a helmet. |
| Logical Deduction/Certainty | He has a fever, he must be sick. | |
| Have to | External Obligation/Necessity | We have to submit the project by Friday. |
| Should | Advice/Recommendation | You should study harder for the exam. |
| Obligation (less b) | I should call my grandmother today. | |
| Ought to | Moral/Duty Obligation (similar to should) | You ought to respect your elders. |
3. Practice Scenarios
To help you remember, here's a look at how to choose the right modal:
A. Ability (Skill)
-
Present: Use can
- Example: My little sister can read simple books now.
-
Past: Use could
- Example: Last year, I could run faster than I can now.
B. Permission and Requests
-
Informal Permission: Can
- Example: Can I see your notes?
-
Formal Permission: May
- Example: May I use the washroom?
-
Polite Request: Could or Would
- Example: Could you pass the salt, please? Would you mind waiting a minute?
C. Obligation and Advice
-
b Obligation/Rule (Internal/Self-imposed): Must
- Example: I must clean my room before my parents return.
-
b Obligation (External Rule/Authority): Have to
- Example: All drivers have to stop at a red light.
-
Advice/Recommendation (Good idea): Should
- Example: You should eat breakfast before school.
D. Possibility
-
b Possibility (More likely): May
- Example: The bus may be late because of the rain.
-
Weak Possibility (Less likely): Might
- Example: I might go to the party, but I haven't decided yet.
-
General Possibility/Theoretical: Can
- Example: Accidents can happen if you are careless.
4. Negatives and Questions
Modals make negatives and questions easily!
Negatives:
Just add 'not' after the modal. (Use contractions where possible!)
- You must not waste time. (Contraction: mustn't)
- I cannot attend the function. (Contraction: can't)
- She should not talk during the movie. (Contraction: shouldn't)
Questions:
Place the modal at the beginning of the sentence.
- Can you swim?
- May I sit here?
- Should we start the work now?
Modals Practice Test (Class 9 CBSE)
Choose the most appropriate modal verb to fill the blank. The function is given in parentheses, and the correct answer is provided below.
1.
You _____ wear a mask in the public hospital premises. (Strong Obligation)
Answer: B. must (Represents a strong, non-negotiable requirement or rule.)
2.
She _____ swim across the river when she was younger. (Past Ability)
Answer: C. could (Used to express ability in the past.)
3.
_____ I use your laptop for an hour? (Formal Permission)
Answer: C. May (Used for formal and polite requests for permission.)
4.
It's a beautiful day, but it _____ rain later, according to the forecast. (Strong Possibility)
Answer: B. may (Expresses a likelihood or possibility.)
5.
You _____ not park your car in front of the gate. (Prohibition)
Answer: B. must (Used as must not to indicate a strong prohibition or rule.)
6.
You _____ apologize for your mistake. It's the right thing to do. (Advice)
Answer: B. should (Used to give advice or a recommendation.)
7.
He is an expert. He _____ solve this problem easily. (Present Ability)
Answer: C. can (Expresses current ability or skill.)
8.
_____ you lend me your dictionary, please? (Polite Request)
Answer: B. Could (More polite than 'can' for a request.)
9.
We _____ to take care of our elderly parents. (Moral Duty)
Answer: B. ought (Used as ought to to express moral duty or correctness.)
10.
She is late. She _____ have missed her bus. (Logical Deduction/High Possibility)
Answer: B. must (Used to express a logical conclusion or high probability.)
11.
The phone is ringing. It _____ be your mother calling. (Weak Possibility/Guess)
Answer: C. might (Expresses a weaker possibility or greater uncertainty than 'may' or 'must'.)
12.
I _____ rather walk than take a crowded bus. (Preference)
Answer: B. would (Used in the common structure would rather to express preference.)
13.
If I were you, I _____ apologize to him immediately. (Hypothetical Advice)
Answer: B. would (Used to state the result of a hypothetical situation.)
14.
You _____ submit the assignment by Friday; it is a school rule. (External Obligation)
Answer: B. have to (Indicates an obligation imposed by an external authority/rule.)
15.
When we were on vacation, we _____ visit the beach every evening. (Past Habit)
Answer: C. would (Used to describe a repetitive action or routine in the past.)
16.
Anyone _____ make a mistake when they are in a hurry. (General Possibility/Theoretical)
Answer: D. can (Used to describe a general or theoretical possibility.)
17.
You _____ not talk loudly in the library. (Prohibition/Rule)
Answer: B. must (Used as must not to indicate a strict rule.)
18.
I'm not hungry, so I _____ not eat dinner with you. (Lack of Necessity)
Answer: A. need (Used as need not to express that something is not necessary.)
19.
If you study hard, you _____ succeed in your exams. (Certain Result/Future)
Answer: C. will (Used to express a future certainty or expectation.)
20.
_____ I make a call before we start the session? (Suggestion/Offer)
Answer: C. Shall (Used to make an offer or suggestion, especially with 'I' or 'We'.)
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