Learning Modal Verbs Worksheet

A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate modality- that is likelihood,
ability, permission, and obligation. Modal verbs include: can / could, may / might, must, will /
would, and shall / should.

Directions: Identify the verb in each sentence. Underline the modal verbs once and the
action verbs twice.
Example A: I could find out my test score next week. Answer: I could find out my test
score next week.

1. He shall bring the food very soon.

2. We can definitely win the championship game.
3. We ran for the hills.
4. You should stop smoking because it is bad for you.
5. May I sit down now?
6. I jumped towards the basketball hoop to get the rebound.
7. I must go now.
8. I threw the frisbee about fifteen feet.
9. I ought to tell the truth to the teacher.
10. Could you pass me the ketchup?
11. It must be very cold on the east coast.

1. Complete the sentences with the correct modal verb: should / ought to (x2) can / have
to (x2) mustn’t / don’t have to could

1 You ______________ smoke in public places.

2 We ______________ learn Chinese in our school.
3 You ______________ wear a crash helmet when you are riding a motorbike.
4 You ______________ eat a healthy diet.
5 I ______________ study hard all weekend.
6 You ______________ respect other people’s opinions.
7 She ______________ always sing really well.
8 ______________ you leave us alone now?

2. Give two pieces of advice for the situations below. Use an appropriate modal verb.
1 Your teacher is working too hard and is exhausted.
He / She __________________________________________________________________
2 Your father wants to learn how to use a computer.
He __________________________________________________________________
3 One of your friends is very bossy and nobody wants to spend time with them.
He / She __________________________________________________________________
4 Your friend wants to get married. You think she’s too young.
She __________________________________________________________________
5 Your brother wants to leave school and become a mechanic.
He __________________________________________________________________

3. Circle the correct option.

1 I’m not sure where Jane is. She could / must be at the office.
2 Sally has to / doesn’t have to pass all her exams because she wants to go to university.
3 You ought to / can check you have all the ingredients before you start making the cake.
4 The letter should / couldn’t arrive tomorrow. It was sent by express delivery.
5 You mustn’t / have to book the tickets soon, otherwise they’ll be sold out!
6 You don’t have to / mustn’t smoke at a petrol station. You can’t / could cause an explosion.
7 That painting is obviously a forgery. It mustn’t / can’t be by Van Gogh.
8 That doesn’t have to / can’t be right! The answers must / can be wrong.

4. Match the sentence beginnings (1-4) with the endings (a-d).

1. 1 You have to watch a that programme if you don’t want to.

2 You must watch b that programme – you’ll love it!
3 You mustn’t watch c too much TV. It’s bad for you.
4 You don’t have to watch d a lot of TV if you want to become a TV
critic
2. 1 You have to buy a any more books or you’ll spend all your
2 You must buy money.
3 You mustn’t buy b the new book by Dan Brown. It’s incredible!
4 You don’t have to buy c the books – you can get them from the
library.
d all the books before the course starts. It’s
a university regulation.
5. Choose the correct modal verb.

1 A John! Your room’s filthy! You absolutely must / should / can clean it now.
B You love giving orders! You ought to / can / must be in the army.
2 A What are you doing here? You have to / must / should be in your math
class.
B I don’t have to / mustn’t / shouldn’t go to class if I don’t want to.
A You mustn’t / don’t have to / couldn’t miss class or you’ll never pass your
exam.
3 A What documents do I have to / must I / can I get if I want to work in
Australia?
B No idea. Maybe you should / must / have to ask Pete. He lived there for a
while.
4 A Can I / Must I / Should I have another coffee please? I couldn’t / mustn’t /
shouldn’t order before because you were too busy.
B I’m sorry but the restaurant’s closed. Can / should / must you leave now
please?

6. Rewrite these sentences in your notebook using an appropriate modal

verb.

1 Last year, I didn’t know how to use Power Point. -

______________________________________
2 Is it necessary for me to have a passport?
______________________________________
3 I suggest that you try the shop around the corner.
______________________________________
4 It’s my personal obligation to speak to her.
______________________________________
5 Would you mind helping me with these bags?
______________________________________
6 You’re not allowed to eat in class!
______________________________________
Learning Modal verbs Worksheet
Answers:
1. shall 2. Can 3. Can 4. Should 5. May 6. Can 7. Must 8. Can 9. Ought to 10.
Could 11. Must

ANSWERS
1. Complete the sentences with the correct modal verb:
1 mustn’t; 2 don’t have to; 3 have to; 4 should / ought to; 5 have to; 6 should /
ought to; 7 could; 8 Can

2. Give two pieces of advice for the situations below. Use an appropriate
modal verb (Suggested answers)
1 He / She shouldn’t work so hard.
2 He ought to find a computer skills class.
3 He / She shouldn’t tell people what to do.
4 She should wait until she’s older.
5 He should stay at school and get some qualifications.

3.Circle the correct option

1 could; 2 has to; 3 ought to; 4 should; 5 have to; 6 mustn’t / could; 7 can’t;
8 can’t / must

4. Match the sentence beginnings (1-4) with the endings (a-d).

4.1 1d; 2b; 3c; 4a 4.2 1d; 2b; 3a; 4c
5. Choose the correct modal verb
1 must / ought to
2 should / don’t have to / mustn’t
3 do I have to / should
4 Can I / couldn’t / Can

6. Rewrite these sentences in your notebook using an appropriate modal

verb.
1 Last year, I couldn’t / was unable to use PowerPoint
2 Do I have to / Do I need to have a passport?
3 You should try the shop round the corner.
4 I must speak to her.
5 Could you help me with these bags?
 MUST - MUSTN'T - DON'T HAVE TO

Must is used to express obligation. Ex: You must stay at school until the age of 16 in Spain.
Mustn’t is used to express prohibition. Ex: You mustn’t shout in class.
Don’t have to/doesn’t have to are used to express absence of obligation. Ex: I don’t have to go to work today.

Use “must”, “mustn’t” , “don’t have to” or “doesn’t have to” + one of the following verbs to complete the sentences.

Remember!
1. People …………………………………… but it is a right and a
duty citizens have.
2. People…………………………………… alcohol if they have to
drive somewhere.
3. People…………………………………… their seatbelts
everytime they drive their cars.
4. Children …………………………………… too many cakes,
they’re bad for their teeth.
5. People …………………………………… eating too much fast
food. It is not healthy.
6. Children …………………………………… back to school at the
beginning of September.
7. Most parents …………………………………… at the weekend
and they can play with their kids.
8. People …………………………………… a helmet when they
ride a motorbike.
9. People …………………………………… 18 to get a driving
license in Spain.
10. People …………………………………… in polluted rivers. It is
very dangerous.
11. Children …………………………………… up early at the
weekend, which is great for them.
12. Students ……………………… and …………….…………their
homework every day.
13. People …………………………………… If they do, their life
will be shorter.
14. Mum …………………………………… lunch when we go to a
restaurant.
15. Children …………………………………… obey their parents
and teachers.
16. You …………………………………… for the pizza. It is free
today.
17. Children …………………… or …………………… on the floor.
18. Kids …………………………………… their medicine when they
are ill.
19. Mary …………………………………… the dishes. Her husband
is washing them for her.
20. Students …………………………………… their mobile phones
during a lesson.
21. You …………………………………… I’m not deaf!
 MUST - MUSTN'T - DON'T HAVE TO

Must is used to express obligation. Ex: You must stay at school until the age of 16 in Spain.
Mustn’t is used to express prohibition. Ex: You mustn’t shout in class.
Don’t have to/doesn’t have to are used to express absence of obligation. Ex: I don’t have to go to work today.

Use “must”, “mustn’t” , “don’t have to” or “doesn’t have to” + one of the following verbs to complete the sentences.

Remember!
22. People …………………………………… but it is a right and a
duty citizens have.
23. People…………………………………… alcohol if they have to
drive somewhere.
24. People…………………………………… their seatbelts
everytime they drive their cars.
25. Children …………………………………… too many cakes,
they’re bad for their teeth.
26. People …………………………………… eating too much fast
food. It is not healthy.
27. Children …………………………………… back to school at the
beginning of September.
28. Most parents …………………………………… at the weekend
and they can play with their kids.
29. People …………………………………… a helmet when they
ride a motorbike.
30. People …………………………………… 18 to get a driving
license in Spain.
31. People …………………………………… in polluted rivers. It is
very dangerous.
32. Children …………………………………… up early at the
weekend, which is great for them.
33. Students ……………………… and …………….…………their
homework every day.
34. People …………………………………… If they do, their life
will be shorter.
35. Mum …………………………………… lunch when we go to a
restaurant.
36. Children …………………………………… obey their parents
and teachers.
37. You …………………………………… for the pizza. It is free
today.
38. Children …………………… or …………………… on the floor.
39. Kids …………………………………… their medicine when they
are ill.
40. Mary …………………………………… the dishes. Her husband
is washing them for her.
41. Students …………………………………… their mobile phones
during a lesson.
42. You …………………………………… I’m not deaf!