Tamilnadu State Board Class 10 English Grammar Modals
♦ Modals (Text Book Page No.: 12–14)
A modal verb is used to indicate modality (that expresses a speaker s general intention) i.e. likelihood, ability, permission, request, capacity, suggestions, order, obligation, advice etc.
We use modals to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible. Modals are, can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, ought to, need, used to & dare to.
Auxiliary verbs are divided into 2 categories
(a) Primary auxiliaries
(b) Modal auxiliaries,
Primary auxiliaries are the forms of the verbs to be, to have, to do Modal Auxiliaries are shall, should, will, would, can, could, may, might, dare, need, ought to, used to.
Modals are followed by principal or main verbs They express the mode or manner of happening of an action or event. They are used to give expression to ideas of ability, probability, possibility, permission, obligation, duty, determination, etc.
- Modals do not change according to the number or person of the subject. The modal does not go alone. It always goes with a principal verb.
- Can/could, may/might, will/would, shall/should and must are followed by infinitive without ‘to’.
Geetha must go to hospital.
Santhosh will help you.
Devi should keep up her word.
Rohit might leave India shortly. - Ought and used are followed by the infinitive with ‘to’.
You ought to keep up your promise.
He used to teach French. - The negative is formed by putting ‘not’ after the auxiliary.
Students must not wear jeans.
She couldn’t walk as she fell down recently.
Can is used to express
(a) Ability – I can speak English fluently.
(b) Permission – Can I go out? You can go home now.
(c) Possibility – Malaria can be dangerous.
Could is the past tense of can. It is used to express:
(a) Ability in the past – I could easily run fast those days.
(b) A polite request in the present; in the form of a question – Could I see the manager for a minute?
May is used for all persons in the present and future. It is followed by the infinitive without ‘to’. May used to
(a) Seek or grant permission – May I go home in the afternoon?
(b) Express possibility – It may rain in the afternoon.
(c) Express a wish or prayer – May God bless you.
(d) Express a purpose – He goes to gym so that he may become lean.
Might is the past tense of May. It is used to express
(a) A doubtful possibility – He might go to a movie.
(b) Permission in the present tense – Might I ask a doubt?
(c) To show permission – He told me that I might use his car.
(d) Purpose – He left office early so that he might go for a function.
(e) Suggestion – you might visit the big temple which is on your way to college.
Notice the difference between May and Might.
You may put the lights on. (Giving permission)
You might put the lights on. (Suggesting)
Might is used as the past tense of May.
My mother said, “You may go to movie at three.” My mother told The* thkt I might go to the movie at three–o–clock.
Shall is used to express the future when the subject is I or We.
I shall be sixteen next year.
Shall is used to express:
(a) Certainty – If you sing well, you shall be the winner.
(b) Assurance – Take the medicine regularly and you shall be well.
(c) Promise – If you win the match, you shall have a holiday.
(d) Threat – If you do not pass in the exam, you shall be retained in the same class.
(e) Command – All students shall reach the prayer hall by 4.00 p.m.
When shall is used in questions, it asks the will or the desire of the person addressed.
Shall I go with you for the movie? Shall we go to the market?
Should is the past tense of shall. Should is used to express:
(a) Duty or moral obligation.
We should take care of our parents during old age.
(b) Advice or instruction or opinion.
You should lock the door when you leave home.
(c) High degree probability.
The team should win the trophy for all the efforts taken.
Should is used as the past tense of shall.
You should have worn a grand dress for the party.
Must refers to the present or the future tense. It is used to express:
(a) Obligation or necessity – We must obey our parents.
(b) Compulsion – You must finish your assignment by tomorrow.
(c) Possibility – She should have reached home by now.
Ought is used nearly in the same sense as should. It is followed by the infinitive ‘to’. It is
(a) Used to express duty or moral binding – You ought to send money to your parents.
(b) An inference – The train ought to be arriving late, hence the platform is crowded.
(c) Possibility – He has done well in the interview. He ought to get the job.
Exercises: Type –1
Complete the following sentence choosing the most appropriate Modal Verb.
Question 1.
We _______ obey our teachers
(a) can
(b) may
(c) must
(d)should
Answer:
(c) must
Question 2.
She _______ pass this exam
(a) ought to
(b) used to
(c) dare to
(d) need
Answer:
(a) ought to
Question 3.
He _______ not buy a car.
(a) need
(b) dare
(c) ought
(d) used
Answer:
(a) need
Question 4.
He works hard lest he _______ fail.
(a) Can
(b) shall
(c) should
(d) may
Answer:
(c) should
Question 5.
_______ you cook your own meal?
(a) Shall
(b) May
(c) Can
(d) Could
Answer:
(c) Can
Question 6.
The villagers _______ buy kerosene lamps a few years ago.
(a) can
(b) will
(c) could
(d) would
Answer:
(c) could
Question 7.
The old lady _______ take a bath every day before taking meal during fasting days.
(a) used to
(b) dare to
(c) need to
(d) need
Answer:
(a) used to
Question 8.
She _______ finish this work before I go.
(a) can
(b) will
(c) must
(d) shall
Answer:
(c) must
Question 9.
Ramesh said that they _______ report for duty on Monday.
(a) may
(b) should
(c) might
Answer:
(b) should
Question 10.
We _______ prepare our lessons well before examination.
(a) can
(b) ought to
(c) dare to
Answer:
(b) ought to
Exercises: Type – 2
Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals:
Question 1.
We _______ pay attention to our studies, (ought to, should)
Answer:
should
Question 2.
You _______ not litter the classroom, (should, could)
Answer:
should
Question 3.
I _______ talk to you immediately, (need to, ought to)
Answer:
nedd to
Question 4.
They _______ not enter the exam hall without hall ticket (May, will, must)
Answer:
must
Question 5.
He _______ take those medicines when he had an operation, (used to, dare to , ought to)
Answer:
ought to
Question 6.
You _______ consult a physician, (should, ought to)
Answer:
should
Question 7.
You _______ exercise daily, (dare to, need to)
Answer:
need to
Question 8.
They _______ not send the letter now. (need, would)
Answer:
would
Question 9.
Sahil ran fast so that he _______ catch the train, (should, might)
Answer:
should
Question 10.
You _______ not use the office phone for private calls, (must, could)
Answer:
must
Exercises: Type – 3
Fill in with modals.
Question 1.
You _______ arrive any time, but you _______ want to be early to get a good seat.
Answer:
can; may
Question 2.
She _______ recite the entire poem from memory.
Answer:
could
Question 3.
If she receives a scholarship, she _______ continue with her studies.
Answer:
will
Question 4.
_______ I open it for you?
Answer:
Shall
Question 5.
I _______ be surprised if he is not elected.
Answer:
would
Question 6.
_______ you leave early tomorrow?
Answer:
Can
Question 7.
_______ you give me a ride?
Answer:
Could
Question 8.
You _______ take a day off tomorrow if you can’t find a home for rent.
Answer:
can
Question 9.
If necessary, you _______ ask for an extension.
Answer:
could
Question 10.
If you work hard, you _______ relax for the rest of the semester.
Answer:
can
Question 11.
If you continue to improve your grades, you _______ graduate with honors.
Answer:
could
Question 12.
We _______ overcome.
Answer:
shall
Question 13.
You _______ receive a new credit card in the mail.
Answer:
should
Question 14.
_______ you join me for lunch?
Answer:
Will
Question 15.
I _______ appreciate your assistance.
Answer:
would