English Grammar Class 7 Modals

In today's lesson, We will learn what modals are and their usage. The mode of action indicated by the primary verb is expressed by modals, which are called auxiliary verbs or helping verbs. Through this article let’s learn more about these helping verbs along with examples and practice questions.

English Grammar

A unique kind of verb is a modal verb. In a sentence, modal verbs modify or influence other verbs. They can be used to demonstrate potential, denote skill, demonstrate responsibility, or grant authorization. When compared to "regular" verbs, modal verbs behave differently.

Can, could, may, might, would, and should are some examples of modal verbs.

Modal Verbs

When compared to "regular" verbs, modal verbs behave differently. 

Some of them are

• Will

• Would

• Should

• Could

• May

• Can

• Shall

• Must

• Might

• Ought to

Modals Verbs

Although the ones mentioned above are the most typical, there are other modal verbs. While certain modal verbs, like got to, need to, and have to, are more informal, others, like shall and ought to, are archaic and hardly used. Some use highly specific, seldom expressions, such as "I dare say," to explain their situations. Like a modal verb, the word used to, as in "I used to be an English student, too," also has certain properties.

When do you apply modal verbs?

• Likelihood

• Possibility

• Ability

• Asking Permission

• Request

• Suggestion/Advice

• Command

• Obligation or Necessity

• Habit

Likelihood

We don't know for sure, but some things appear possible. The modal verbs should and must can be used in certain situations to indicate likelihood without certainty. 

Possibility

Use the modal verbs could, may, or could when something is conceivable but uncertain. Example: It might rain today. 

She may become a great singer

Ability

The modal verb can indicate whether or not the subject is able to carry out an activity or display a skill. The negative form, cannot or can't, similarly indicates that the subject is unable to perform an action. 

Example: She can speak many languages. 

You can lead a battalion. 

Asking Permission

Use the words "can," "may," or "could" at the beginning of your query if you wish to request permission. Traditionally, may is preferred for permission. (However, when discussing possibility or authorization in modern use, may and can are also completely valid possibilities.) 

Example: May I leave? Could I play too?

Request

In a similar spirit, if you want to request anything from another person, begin your request with either will, would, can, or could. 

Example: Would you get that box? 

Will you turn that music down?

Suggestion/Advice

What if you only want to urge someone to do something? You can use the modal word should if you're offering suggestions or advice without telling someone what to do. Example: You should try the Manakish. 

That girl should wear less perfume.

Command

Use the modal verbs must, have to, or need to, on the other hand, if you want to command someone. 

Example: You need to come home.

Obligation or Necessity

An essential activity, such as an obligation, responsibility, or requirement, can be expressed with a modal verb. The negative form conveys that an activity is not required. Use the same modal verbs—must, have to, or need to—as you would with instructions. Example: We have to wait for her to open this.

Habit

You can use the modal verbs would for the past tense and will for the present and future to indicate an ongoing or habitual action—something the subject does frequently. When referring to a habit that no longer exists, you can use the expression used to. 

Example: I would fall asleep with the music turned on.

Modal Verbs

How to use Modal Verbs?

Thankfully, it's not too difficult to use modal verbs in sentences. Just keep in mind these guidelines for simple present-tense sentences:

• Modal verbs are usually placed before the primary verb (except for questions).

• Use the main verb's infinitive form without the preposition "to" when the verb is modal.

• The infinitive form of the primary verb is still used in questions, although the order is slightly different: Modal verb+Subject+Main verb.

• The majority of modal verbs are in the present tense since they typically refer to hypothetical or broad scenarios that haven't really occurred. Let's speak a little about how to assemble them since some of them can be used in several verb tenses.

Modal Verbs

Difficult Words and Meaning

Practice Questions

Choose the answer

1. You are late. You ……………….. hurry.
(a) can                 (b) must
(c) will                 (d) May

2. “……………….. I have a piece of cake, please?” I asked.
(a) Shall              (b) May
(c) Will                (d) Must

3. I wish I ……………….. be as intelligent as Einstein.
(a) must             (b) could
(c) should          (d) shall

4. That plug is faulty. You ……………….. touch it.
(a) mustn’t         (b) needn’t
(c) couldn’t        (d) won’t

5. Don’t listen to everything he says. He ……………….. be wrong.
(a) shall             (b) can
(c) must            (d) need

Answers:

1.  The correct answer is option(b) must

You are late. You must hurry.

2. The correct answer is option (b) May

“May I have a piece of cake, please?” I asked.

3. The correct answer is option (b) could

 I wish I could be as intelligent as Einstein.

4. The correct answer is option (b) May

That plug is faulty. You may touch it.

5. The correct answer is option (a) can

Don’t listen to everything he says. He can be wrong.

Benefits of Learning Modals for Class 7

• It is very important to know the use of modals in English grammar as these verbs are widely used in the English language.

• Modal verbs are used in a sentence to create nuances of expression.

• Some of the modal verbs are the verbs that are used to express politeness while proposing a suggestion or asking a question. 

Examples of Modals Class 7

• I can play the flute.

• She must come to tomorrow’s class. 

• You should not skip school. 

• The train might get delayed because of the heavy rainfall.

Facts About Modals Class 7

Use of Modals in English Grammar

Modal: Can 

Modal: Must

Modal: Might

Modals: Could 

Modals: Will

Modals: Would 

Modals: Shall

Modals: May not

Modals: Ought to 

Modals: Need to

Important Topics of Class 7 English Grammar Modals

In this chapter, you will learn:

• What are modals in English grammar?

• Use of modals in English grammar

• Practising modals exercises for Class 7 CBSE with answers

Conclusion 

English has many modal verbs, and you've probably encountered them hundreds of times without realising what they are called. Modals are unique verbs that differ from regular verbs in several ways. The modal verbs are employed to communicate capacity, potential, authorization, or duty. One or more of these modalities can be expressed using any of the modal verbs. They can also be used to create conditional sentences and the English future tense. They are never used alone; a primary verb is always used after them. They offer further specifics regarding the main verb. They can be used to convey confidence, potential, readiness, duty, obligation, necessity, and aptitude. 

The Free PDF is best for taking modal notes for Class 7 students. All modal verbs and their usage are briefly introduced in the PDF with many examples. The modals exercises for Class 7 in the PDF will be very helpful for your kids to practice the chapter after reading the explanations. You can use this PDF as the worksheet on modals for Class 7 and make their learning more fun-filling and easy.

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