CBSE Class 7 English Grammar – Modals

Definition of Modals
Basically, modals are auxiliary verbs that express the mode of action denoted by the main verb.
e.g.

1.  He can do this work.
2.  She may pass the exam.
3.  They would appear in the party.

In the above sentences, the bold words are modals. They express the mode of action of the main verbs in t’he sentence.

Uses of Modals
The usage of these modals are as given below

Can
‘Can’ is used in the following ways

1. To express ability or power.
   1. He can read this language.
   2. He can lift this heavy box.
2. To express permission.
   1. You can eat this chocolate.
   2. She can never enter this house.

Could

‘Could’ is used in the following ways,

1. To show power or ability in past.
   1. She could dance well in youth
   2. We could complete this task.
2. To show possibility in past.
   1. She could buy a pen if she had money.
   2. Ramu could play cricket if there had been no rain.
3.  To make a polite request.
   1. Could you help me now?
   2. Could they spare that meat?
4. To show condition.
   1. If we had got up earlier, we could have completed this.
   2. We could have seen the match if there had been electricity supply. (Condition)

May
‘May’ is used in the following ways

1. To express permission, possibility.
   1. May I go there? (Permission)
   2. It may rain heavily. (Possibility)
2.  To express wish, prayer.
   1. May you live long ! (Wish)
   2. May God bless you with fortune ! (Prayer)
3.  To express purpose.
   1. She works that she may prosper.
   2. We study that we may pass in the exam.

Might
‘Might’ is used in the following ways

1. To show permission, possibility in the past.
   1. The leader told us that we might spend this amount. (Permission)
   2. I might be sent to the hostel. (Possibility)
2.  To express purpose in the past.
   1. He wore a scarf that he might not burn his skin.
   2. We rushed that we might not miss our train.
3. To make a request.
   1. If possible, you might bring me a glass of water.
   2. Condition allowing, they might be seeking a favour from me.
4.  To make suggestion or criticism.
   1. They might look for other venues. (Suggestion)
   2. She might have picked other issues. (Criticism)

Would
‘Would’ is used in the following ways

1. To show past habit and unreal condition.
   1. He would rise at 5 O’ Clock. (Past habit)
   2. What would you like to have? Tea or coffee.
2. To make a polite request.
   1. Would you lend me your pen?
   2. Would you give me your scooter?

Should or Ought to
‘Should’ is used in the following ways

1. To express duty and obligation.
   1. The police should protect us. (Duty)
   2. You should respect your parents. (Obligation)
2.  To show advice, suggestion.
   1. They should follow the rules. (Suggestion)
   2. You should take medicine. (Advice)
3.  To express imagination.
   1. Should you lose your money, go to ATM.
   2. Should you forget password, retry then.
4.  To express probability, polite command.
   1. She should be in the library. (Probability)
   2. You should play the game fairly. (Polite command)

Must
‘Must’ is used in the following ways

1. To show prohibition, compulsion.
   1. You must not touch this.
   2. She must feel sorry for you.
2. To show necessity or obligation.
   1. Team must win the game.
   2. You must pay your bill on time.
3.  To show the strong advice.
   1. Police must take care of emotions of the criminals.
   2. Leaders must promise what is viable to them.

Shall/Will
‘Shall’ and ‘Will’ are used in the following ways

1.  Shall 1st person subject-I, We
2.  Will 2nd and 3rd person subject – You, he, she, it, they.
   But, to show the emphasis, it can be interchanged with each other.
   Therefore, when one needs to show determination then the usage with the auxiliary would be
3.  Will 1st person subject-I, we
4. Shall 2nd and 3rd person subject – You, he, she, it, , they.
   e.g.