Modals Chapter Notes | English Olympiad for Class 9 PDF Download

Modals, in the context of grammar and linguistics, are a specific category of auxiliary verbs that express various degrees of necessity, possibility, permission, ability, or obligation in a sentence. They are used to modify the main verb that follows them. Modals are distinct from other verbs in several ways:

• Limited Forms: Modals have a limited set of forms. They do not conjugate in the same way as regular verbs (for example, they do not have a third-person singular -s form in present tense).
• No Infinitive or -ing Forms: They do not have infinitive or -ing forms. For instance, you can't say "to must" or "musting."
• Position in Sentence: They typically precede the main verb in a sentence (except in questions where they appear before the subject).

Common modals in English include

Modals to Express Possibility or Ability:

1. can: 
   • Ability: Used to talk about what someone is capable of doing.
     Example: He can swim across the river very fast. 
   • Possibility: Used to say that something is possible.
     Example: Rita can come here in the evening if she is free.
2. could: Past tense of "can"; used for general ability in the past or to politely ask for permission.
   Example (General Ability): When I was young, I could climb trees easily.
   Example (Permission): Could you make a cup of tea, please?
3. be able to: 
   • Used interchangeably with "can" to indicate ability in all tenses.
     Example: He is able to speak French. (He can speak French.)
     Example: I will not be able to accompany you to the market today.

Modals Used to Ask for Permission or Something:

• can and could: Used to ask for permission or to request something informally.
  Example: Can I borrow your pen?
  Example: Could you help me with this math problem?
• may: Used formally to ask for permission or make a polite request.
  Example: May I use your computer for a moment?
  Example: May I have some more tea, please?
• would: Used politely to ask for something or make a request.
  Example: Would you pass me the salt, please?
  Example: Would you mind opening the window?

Modals Used to Indicate Possibility:

• may: Used to suggest a possibility with a stronger likelihood.
  Example: She may be at home right now.
• might: Suggests a weaker possibility than "may."
  Example: He might come to the party later.
• could: Suggests a very weak possibility.
  Example: It could rain this afternoon.

Modals to Indicate Necessity or Compulsion:

• must: Used to express strong necessity or obligation.
  Example: You must submit your assignment by Friday.
• have to and have got to: Used interchangeably to indicate a requirement or compulsion.
  Example: We have to wear uniforms to school.
  Example: I've got to finish this report by tomorrow.
• had to and had got to: Used to talk about past obligations or requirements.
  Example: She had to attend the meeting yesterday.
  Example: I had got to the airport just in time to catch my flight.

Modals for Suggestion, Advice, Duty (Obligation):

• should: Used to give advice or make suggestions.
  Example: You should eat more vegetables for better health.
  Example: We should arrive early for the meeting.
• ought to: Used similarly to "should," with a stronger sense of moral obligation.
  Example: You ought to apologize for what you said.
  Example: Students ought to respect their teachers.

Modals to Indicate Promise:

• will and shall: Used to make promises or assurances about the future.
  Example: We will meet you at the restaurant at 7 PM.
  Example: The company shall provide training for all new employees.

Modals for Absence of Necessity:

• needn’t have: Indicates that something was done unnecessarily in the past.
  Example: You needn’t have worried; everything turned out fine.
• didn’t need to: Indicates that something was not necessary in the past.
  Example: She didn’t need to bring her umbrella; it didn’t rain after all.

Modals to Indicate a Wish:

• may: Used to express a wish or hope for someone’s well-being.
  Example: May you have a wonderful birthday! Example: May you succeed in all your endeavors!

Modals to Indicate Inability:

• dare: Used to express reluctance or unwillingness to do something requiring courage.
  Example: I dare not enter the haunted house alone.
  Example: Dare you tell her the truth about what happened?

Instructions: Choose the appropriate modal verb (can, could, will, would, may, might, must, should, ought to) to complete each sentence correctly.

1. Sarah ___________ swim very well when she was younger.
2. Students ___________ bring their textbooks to class tomorrow.
3. I ___________ help you with your homework if you need assistance.
4. Tom ___________ be at the meeting, but he hasn't confirmed yet.
5. You ___________ start your presentation as soon as everyone is seated.
6. We ___________ take the bus or walk to school; it's up to us.
7. The doctor said I ___________ rest for at least a week after the surgery.
8. They ___________ attend the party if they finish their assignments on time.
9. You ___________ apologize for what you said; it wasn't polite.
10. It ___________ rain later, so bring an umbrella just in case.

Ans: 

1. could
2. should
3. can
4. might
5. can
6. can
7. must
8. may
9. should
10. may

Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences Using Modal Verbs

Instructions: Rewrite each sentence using an appropriate modal verb. Follow the example given.

Sample:

Original: "He is able to solve difficult math problems."
Rewrite: "He ___________ solve difficult math problems."

1. She has permission to leave early today.
2. It is likely that he will arrive late due to traffic.
3. They have a duty to clean up after themselves in the kitchen.
4. It is advisable for them to study harder for the exam.
5. He had the ability to speak three languages fluently when he was young.

Ans: 

1. She can leave early today.
2. He will likely arrive late due to traffic.
3. They must clean up after themselves in the kitchen.
4. They should study harder for the exam.
5. He could speak three languages fluently when he was young.

Exercise 3: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
Instructions: Choose the correct modal verb (can, could, will, would, may, might, must, should, ought to) to complete each sentence correctly.

1. ___________ your friend borrow your notes for the exam?
(a) Can
(b) Must
(c) Should
(d) Might

2. She said she ___________ attend the party if she finishes her work on time.
(a) Could
(b) Will
(c) Should
(d) Must

3. You ___________ to be more careful while crossing the road.
(a) Can
(b) Might
(c) Must
(d) Would

4. It ___________ be a good idea to start exercising regularly.
(a) Can
(b) May
(c) Should
(d) Would

5. He ___________ have taken the last piece of cake; I saw him near the fridge earlier.
(a) Can
(b) Must
(c) Might
(d) Would

Ans:

1. (a) Can
2. (a) Could
3. (c) Must
4. (c) Should
5. (b) Must