The Ultimate Guide to Modal Verbs in English

Modal verbs are small but powerful words in English like can, must, should, and might. They help us talk about rules, advice, abilities, and possibilities.

For ESL/EFL learners, modal verbs can be confusing because some are very similar in meaning, while others are used in very specific situations.

👉“Want to explore all English tenses and structures?

🔗Check out: The Complete Guide to English Tenses.

This guide will help you master modal verbs step by step with explanations, examples, a short story, and a quiz at the end.

👉 Tip: All modal verbs are followed by the base form of a verb (without “to”), except ought to.

Example: You must study. / She can swim. / You ought to listen.

1. Must vs. Have to (Rules at School & Travel)

Both must and have to talk about obligations, but they are slightly different:

• Must = strong personal obligation, or a formal rule/law.

• Have to = obligation that comes from outside circumstances.

👉 Think of it like this:

• Must = rules you feel are important or official.

• Have to = something you are required to do because of the situation.

🎒 School Examples

• Students must not cheat on exams.

• I have to do homework every evening.

✈️ Travel Examples

• Passengers must fasten their seatbelts.

• I have to buy a visa before I can travel to the USA.

💡 Quick Tip: In everyday spoken English, people often use have to more than must.

📝 Mini Exercise

1. You ______ show your passport at immigration.

2. I ______ wake up early because my boss wants me at work by 7 a.m.

3. Students ______ wear uniforms at this school.

4. I ______ finish this form before I can check in at the hotel.

👉 Answers: 1. must, 2. have to, 3. must, 4. have to

• Story: 🔗“Read: The School Rules Mystery – A Must vs Have To Story.”

• Worksheet/Download: “ [Rules & Obligations Worksheet PDF].”

• YouTube: “Watch: [Must vs Have To Explained in 5 Minutes].”

2. Should vs. Ought to (Giving Advice)

Both should and ought to are used to give advice or recommendations.

They mean almost the same thing — but should is far more common.

• Should = everyday advice, polite suggestions.

• Ought to = slightly more formal, less common in spoken English.

👩 Everyday Advice

• You should eat more vegetables.

• You should call your mother tonight.

💼 Formal Advice

• You ought to apologise for being late.

• Employees ought to follow the company guidelines.

💡 Quick Tip: If you’re not sure, use should. It sounds more natural.

📝 Mini Exercise

1. You ______ take an umbrella. It looks like rain.

2. He ______ listen to his teacher’s advice.

3. You ______ apologise to Anna.

4. We ______ eat more fruit and exercise regularly.

👉 Answers: 1. should, 2. should, 3. ought to, 4. should

Want to learn more natural ways to give advice?

🔗Try our Small Talk Starters Worksheet

3. Can vs. Could (Abilities & Possibilities)

Both can and could are used for ability and possibility, but they show different time frames and certainty.

• Can = present ability or permission.

• Could = past ability OR something possible but not certain.

👉 Think of it like this:

• Can = now, definite.

• Could = before, polite, or possible.

🎸 Ability Examples

• I can play the guitar.

• When I was 10, I could swim very well.

🌦️ Possibility Examples

• It can get very hot in Singapore.

• It could rain later, so take an umbrella.

🙋 Permission Examples

• You can borrow my book.

• Excuse me, could I ask you a question?

💡 Quick Tip: “Could” often sounds softer and more polite than “can.”

📝 Mini Exercise

1. She ______ speak three languages fluently.

2. When I was younger, I ______ run much faster.

3. It looks dark outside. It ______ start raining soon.

4. Excuse me, ______ you help me with my bag?

👉 Answers: 1. can, 2. could, 3. could, 4. could

👉 Want to practise polite English? Watch: Global Chat Over Coffee.

4. Modal Verbs In English:🔑 The Strange Key Story

One rainy afternoon, Emma found a small silver key on her doorstep.

“Whose could it be?” she wondered. “It must belong to someone in the building.”

She thought, “I should try it on the mailboxes first.” But it didn’t fit.

“It can’t be for the mailboxes,” she sighed.

Her neighbour Tom appeared.“You could try the old storage room in the basement,” he suggested. “But you mustn’t go alone — it’s dark down there.”

Emma smiled. “I can bring a flashlight.”

The key turned easily in the storage door. Inside, they found a dusty chest.

Tom whispered, “It could be treasure… or rubbish.”Emma laughed. “Either way, we have to open it now!”

Inside were dozens of old photographs.“We should give these to the landlord,” Emma said. “They must be valuable memories.”

📖 Comprehension Questions

1. What did Emma find? ____________________

2. Who helped her? ____________________

3. Where did the key finally fit? ____________________

4. What was inside the chest? ____________________

📝 Grammar Practice

Fill in with must, should, can, could, have to, might.

1. The key ______ belong to someone in the building.

2. Emma thought she ______ try the key on the mailboxes.

3. Tom said Emma _______ go alone.

4. Emma said, “I ______ bring a flashlight.”

5. Tom whispered, “It ______ be full of treasures.”

6. “We ______ open it now!” said Emma.

👉 Answers: 1. must, 2. should, 3. mustn’t, 4. can, 5. could, 6. have to

👉 Love short mystery stories? Download our Free ESL Story Pack.

5. Modal Verb Quiz: Which Modal Verb Fits Best?

Part A: Multiple Choice

1. You ______ wear a helmet when riding a motorbike.

   a) should

   b) must

   c) could

   
   

2. I ______ play the piano when I was younger.

   a) can

   b) could

   c) must

   
   

3. It looks like rain. You ______ take an umbrella.

   a) should

   b) mustn’t

   c) can

   
   

4. Passengers ______ show their passports.

   a) have to

   b) should

   c) could

   
   

5. Excuse me, ______ I ask you a question?

   a) can

   b) must

   c) could

   
   

👉 Answers: 1. b), 2. b), 3. a), 4. a), 5. c)

Part B: Fill in the blanks

6. You ______ park here — it’s forbidden.

7. He ______ lift 50kg easily.

8. We ______ be late; the bus is stuck in traffic.

9. I ______ visit my grandmother this weekend.

10. She looks tired. She ______ get some rest.

👉 Answers: 6. mustn’t, 7. can, 8. might, 9. should, 10. should

Part C:  ✅Right or ❌Wrong

11. He musts finish his homework. → _____

12. I can to speak English. → _____

13. You shoulds eat more fruit. → _____

🔑Answer: Right or Wrong?

11. ❌ He musts finish his homework.→ Wrong. ✅ He must finish his homework.

12. ❌ I can to speak English. → Wrong. ✅ I can speak English.

13. ❌ You shoulds eat more fruit. → Wrong. ✅ You should eat more fruit.

✅ Conclusion

Modal verbs are essential for expressing rules, advice, abilities, and possibilities.

• Use must / have to for obligations.

• Use should / ought to for giving advice.

• Use can / could for abilities, permissions, and possibilities.

👉 Next Steps:

• Try using modal verbs in your own sentences today.

• Check out our Modal Verbs Worksheet Bundle for more practice.

• Watch our YouTube lesson: Unlock the Mystery, Master Modal Verbs!

Continue your grammar journey with:

👉The Complete Guide to the Passive Voice in English

👉 Passive Form With Modals: Grammar Story + Practice Exercise

🔔 Practice More:Want to improve your listening and speaking skills?

🎥 Check out our YouTube Channel Playlist:

🔗 How to Use Modal Verbs in English:Must, Should, Could, Might, Can

🔗Learn Grammar Through Engaging Stories 

🔗ESL Listening Practice With Engaging Stories 

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Thank you for reading & Happy Speaking!