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Modal Verbs Worksheets

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Can, could, may, might, must, should, will, would, and shall, with a chart, sorts, and keyed practice.

Download the modal verbs worksheets

Learn Modal Verbs

An anchor chart of modal verbs and their meanings, and a page to find them in sentences.

Choose, Sort, and Add Modal Verbs

Choose the modal verb that fits, name what it means, sort sentences, and add modals to sentences.

Write with Modal Verbs

Write rules, advice, and polite questions for a class trip.

  • Preview of the printable “Rules and advice for a zoo trip” worksheet: writing sentences with modal verbs for ability, permission, possibility, necessity, and adviceView all 2 pages

    Rules and advice for a zoo trip

    Writing sentences with modal verbs for ability, permission, possibility, necessity, and advice

    Answer key on page 2

    US LetterPDFA4PDF

    2 pages251 KB

Print at 100% (actual size) for the cleanest tracing lines.

About these modal verbs worksheets

A modal verb is a helping verb that changes the meaning of the main verb. The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would. Each one adds a different meaning. "Dev can swim" shows ability. "You may go outside" gives permission. "It might snow" shows possibility. "You must wear a seat belt" shows necessity, and "You should drink water" gives advice. Will, would, and shall talk about the future, make offers, and ask polite questions: "Would you like some soup?"

A modal verb is always followed by the plain form of the main verb. We say "Kim can sing," not "Kim can sings."

These printable worksheets begin with an anchor chart of meanings and examples. Children find modal verbs, choose the one that fits a sentence, name the meaning a modal shows, sort sentences by meaning, and add modals to sentences. A zoo-trip writing page puts it all to use. Practice pages come with answer keys.

Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.CUse modal auxiliaries (e.g., can, may, must) to convey various conditions.

How to use them

  1. Read the chart together. Act out a few examples, such as "I can hop" and "You may sit down."
  2. Use Circle the Modal Verb first, then Choose the Modal Verb and What Does the Modal Verb Mean?
  3. Try the meaning sort as cut and paste or as the write-in version.
  4. Finish with Add a Modal Verb and the Rules and Advice for a Zoo Trip writing page.

Teaching tips

  • Look for clue words: "it is the law" points to must, "I'm not sure" points to might, and "good idea" points to should.
  • The same modal can mean different things. "You may leave" is permission, but "It may rain" is possibility.
  • Check the main verb after a modal: no -s and no -ed.
  • Talk about polite questions: "May I ...?" and "Would you ...?"

Questions teachers and parents ask

What are modal verbs?

Modal verbs are helping verbs that show ability, permission, possibility, necessity, or advice: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.

What grade learns modal verbs?

Modal auxiliaries like can, may, and must are part of 4th grade grammar.

What is the difference between can and may?

Can usually tells what someone is able to do. May asks for or gives permission, or says something is possible. In everyday talk, can is also used for permission.

Are there answer keys?

Yes. Every practice page has an answer key, and the writing page shows example answers.