CBSE Class 7 English Grammar – Modals

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.
   1. I shall go. (Simple future)
   2. I will go. (Determination))
   3. She will win. (Simple future)
   4. She shall win. (Emphasized act)

Need
‘Need’ is used in the following ways

1. To express prohibition.
   1. She need not use that computer.
   2. They need not manipulate the files.
2. To express doubt.
   1. Need I go there.
   2. Need we plan in advance.

Dare

1. To express a negation with interrogation.
   1. How dare you touch my pen?
   2. She dare not play tennis with me.

Used to

1. To express a past habit.
   1. She used to go to perform in movies or a dramas.
   2. I used to play cricket in 2005.
2. To express a habit of present that has its roots in the past.
   1. My grandfather is not used to sweets.
   2. I am used to a life full of struggle.

Practice Questions and Solutions

Question 1:
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (a), (b), (c) or (d) in the answers.

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. The little boy ……………….. speak very well.
   (a) would (b) can
   (c) shall (d) need
4. We didn’t have a car before. Now that we have a car, we ……………….. drive to many places.
   (a) need (b) may
   (c) might (d) can
5. You ……………….. keep the scissors away from the baby.
   (a) should (b) will
   (c) need (d) may
6. You ……………….. go home if you have completed your work.
   (a) shall (b) may
   (c) need (d) might
7. That plug is faulty. You ……………….. touch it.
   (a) mustn’t (b) needn’t
   (c) couldn’t (d) won’t
8. The two boys . ………………. do well in the examinations. They are studying very hard.
   (a) must (b) will
   (c) shall (d) need
9. That man ……………….. be Mr Bo. Mr Bo is overseas.
   (a) shan’t (b) needn’t
   (c) can’t (d) won’t
10. Don’t listen to everything he says. He ……………….. be wrong.
    (a) shall (b) can
    (c) must (d) need

Solution:

1. (b) must
2. (b) may
3. (b) can
4. (d) can
5. (a) should
6. (b) may
7. (a) mustn’t
8. (c) shall
9. (c) can’t
10. (b) can

Question 2:
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (a), (b), (c) or (d) in the answers.

1. He’s still not here. He ……………….. have met with an accident.
   (a) should (b) can
   (c) might (d) shall
2. I wish I ……………….. be as intelligent as Einstein.
   (a) must (b) could
   (c) should (d) shall
3. We ……………….. bring any money because admission is free.
   (a) mustn’t (b) couldn’t
   (c) can’t (d) needn’t
4. This ……………….. be your book. It has your name on it.
   (a) can (b) shall
   (c) need (d) must
5. You ……………….. sleep early so you can wake up early.
   (a) should (b) might
   (c) will (d) need
6. He ……………….. run very fast. He wins competitions easily.
   (a) would (b) can
   (c) shall (d) may
7. Please lower your voices so that the baby ……………….. not  be awakened.
   (a) ought (b) may
   (c) must (d) could
8. The dog ……………….. have eaten the food! I saw it near the food a while ago.
   (a) must (b) ought
   (c) can (d) shall
9. You ……………….. to knock before you enter.
   (a) shall (b) ought
   (c) may (d) would
10. She ………………. most certainly help you if you ask her.
    (a) could (b) ought
    (c) will (d) may

Solution:

1. (c) might
2. (b) could
3. (d) needn’t
4. (d) must
5. (a) should
6. (b) can
7. (b) may
8. (a) must
9. (b) ought
10. (c) will

Question 3:
Use appropriate modals of probability, permission, obligation etc to fill in the blanks.

1. Every body ……………….. fulfil his or her duties towards the country.
2. The computer is not working. The supervisor ……………….. call an engineer, today.
3. The work is completed ……………….. I leave now?
4. Sugandha sings so beautifully. She ……………….. have taken classes of music.
5. I am not the right person to give you a permission to go. You ……………….. ask the Manager.
6. Vibha is not home today. She ……………….. have gone for dance practice.
7. ……………….. I request you to show me this file?
8. It is raining cats and dogs. This ……………….. cause flood in many areas.
9. He is not in his cabin. You ……………….. check if he is there in the lobby.
10. ……………….. I, please, make a call from your phone?

Solution:

1. must
2. might
3. may
4. must
5. may
6. must
7. May
8. can/may
9. can
10. Could

Question 4:
Use appropriate modals of desire,
determination, necessity, prohibition etc to fill in the blanks.

1. I ……………….. like to go for boating as well as diving.
2. How ……………….. he enter my room?
3. Shipra applies sunscreen lotion everyday that she ……………….. not get her skin tanned.
4. We focus on our studies that we ……………….. not fail in our examinations.
5. Let whatever hardships may come in our way. One day, we ……………….. overcome.
6. His goggles are kept in the cupboard, but nobody ……………….. to touch them.
7. He ……………….. never allow anybody to wear them.
8. Sheveta is a little snobbish and naughty girl. We ……………….. not prank at her. She will get angry.
9. Don’t challenge me. If I try, she ……………….. come and talk to me politely.
10. ……………….. You like to try your hand at chess, madam?

Solution:

1. would
2. dare
3. may
4. may
5. shall/will
6. dares
7. would
8. need
9. shall
10. Would

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