Master Modal Verbs Usage: 100+ Examples for Exam Excellence

Introduction: Modal Verbs Usage

Modal verbs usage is a critical aspect of English grammar, involving auxiliary verbs like “can,” “might,” and “must” that express ability, possibility, necessity, or permission, adding depth to sentences. For students and candidates preparing for competitive exams like SSC, IELTS, TOEFL, and GRE, understanding modal verbs usage is essential for excelling in grammar, comprehension, and writing sections. For example, “You should study” highlights obligation. This article provides over 100 modal verbs usage examples with meanings, along with practical tips to enhance your exam performance.

What Is Modal Verbs Usage?

Modal verbs usage refers to the application of modal verbs—auxiliary verbs that modify the main verb to express mood, ability, possibility, obligation, or advice. Common examples include “could,” “will,” and “shall,” and they are frequently assessed in competitive exam grammar and sentence construction tasks.

100+ Examples of Modal Verbs Usage with Meanings

Below is an extensive list of over 100 examples of modal verbs usage, showcasing their application and meanings to strengthen your grammar skills. The primary modal verbs are “can,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “must,” and “ought to,” with additional contextual variations.

1. Can swim – Ability to swim (She can swim well).
2. Could help – Past ability to help (He could help yesterday).
3. May go – Permission to go (You may go now).
4. Might rain – Possibility of rain (It might rain later).
5. Shall meet – Intention to meet (We shall meet tomorrow).
6. Should study – Advice to study (You should study for the exam).
7. Will arrive – Future certainty to arrive (They will arrive soon).
8. Would like – Polite request to like (I would like some water).
9. Must leave – Necessity to leave (We must leave now).
10. Ought to try – Moral obligation to try (You ought to try harder).
11. Can run – Ability to run (He can run fast).
12. Could see – Past ability to see (She could see the stars).
13. May enter – Permission to enter (You may enter the room).
14. Might win – Possibility of winning (They might win the game).
15. Shall start – Intention to start (We shall start at 9 AM).
16. Should rest – Advice to rest (You should rest now).
17. Will call – Future certainty to call (I will call you later).
18. Would stay – Past willingness to stay (He would stay if asked).
19. Must finish – Necessity to finish (You must finish the task).
20. Ought to care – Moral obligation to care (We ought to care for others).
21. Can play – Ability to play (She can play the piano).
22. Could hear – Past ability to hear (They could hear the music).
23. May ask – Permission to ask (You may ask questions).
24. Might fail – Possibility of failing (He might fail the test).
25. Shall decide – Intention to decide (We shall decide today).
26. Should listen – Advice to listen (You should listen carefully).
27. Will help – Future certainty to help (She will help you).
28. Would agree – Past willingness to agree (They would agree if asked).
29. Must obey – Necessity to obey (You must obey the rules).
30. Ought to learn – Moral obligation to learn (We ought to learn from mistakes).
31. Can drive – Ability to drive (He can drive a car).
32. Could find – Past ability to find (She could find the key).
33. May leave – Permission to leave (You may leave early).
34. Might come – Possibility of coming (They might come tonight).
35. Shall plan – Intention to plan (We shall plan the event).
36. Should save – Advice to save (You should save money).
37. Will win – Future certainty to win (They will win the match).
38. Would visit – Past willingness to visit (He would visit often).
39. Must work – Necessity to work (You must work hard).
40. Ought to help – Moral obligation to help (We ought to help the needy).
41. Can sing – Ability to sing (She can sing beautifully).
42. Could understand – Past ability to understand (He could understand the lesson).
43. May stay – Permission to stay (You may stay longer).
44. Might lose – Possibility of losing (They might lose the game).
45. Shall agree – Intention to agree (We shall agree on this).
46. Should exercise – Advice to exercise (You should exercise daily).
47. Will learn – Future certainty to learn (She will learn soon).
48. Would dance – Past willingness to dance (They would dance at parties).
49. Must attend – Necessity to attend (You must attend the meeting).
50. Ought to respect – Moral obligation to respect (We ought to respect elders).
51. Can write – Ability to write (He can write a letter).
52. Could jump – Past ability to jump (She could jump high).
53. May join – Permission to join (You may join us).
54. Might cancel – Possibility of canceling (They might cancel the event).
55. Shall prepare – Intention to prepare (We shall prepare dinner).
56. Should read – Advice to read (You should read more).
57. Will travel – Future certainty to travel (They will travel tomorrow).
58. Would wait – Past willingness to wait (He would wait patiently).
59. Must hurry – Necessity to hurry (You must hurry now).
60. Ought to share – Moral obligation to share (We ought to share our knowledge).
61. Can cook – Ability to cook (She can cook well).
62. Could lift – Past ability to lift (He could lift the box).
63. May speak – Permission to speak (You may speak freely).
64. Might change – Possibility of changing (The plan might change).
65. Shall inform – Intention to inform (We shall inform you).
66. Should practice – Advice to practice (You should practice daily).
67. Will succeed – Future certainty to succeed (She will succeed soon).
68. Would help – Past willingness to help (They would help if needed).
69. Must follow – Necessity to follow (You must follow the rules).
70. Ought to forgive – Moral obligation to forgive (We ought to forgive others).
71. Can read – Ability to read (He can read quickly).
72. Could solve – Past ability to solve (She could solve the puzzle).
73. May visit – Permission to visit (You may visit anytime).
74. Might improve – Possibility of improving (He might improve his skills).
75. Shall support – Intention to support (We shall support you).
76. Should improve – Advice to improve (You should improve your grades).
77. Will stay – Future certainty to stay (They will stay overnight).
78. Would join – Past willingness to join (He would join the team).
79. Must complete – Necessity to complete (You must complete the work).
80. Ought to apologize – Moral obligation to apologize (We ought to apologize).
81. Can dance – Ability to dance (She can dance gracefully).
82. Could paint – Past ability to paint (He could paint beautifully).
83. May borrow – Permission to borrow (You may borrow the book).
84. Might delay – Possibility of delaying (They might delay the project).
85. Shall arrive – Intention to arrive (We shall arrive by 8 PM).
86. Should ask – Advice to ask (You should ask for help).
87. Will finish – Future certainty to finish (She will finish today).
88. Would listen – Past willingness to listen (They would listen quietly).
89. Must pay – Necessity to pay (You must pay the bill).
90. Ought to contribute – Moral obligation to contribute (We ought to contribute to society).
91. Can teach – Ability to teach (He can teach math).
92. Could walk – Past ability to walk (She could walk long distances).
93. May attend – Permission to attend (You may attend the class).
94. Might succeed – Possibility of succeeding (They might succeed this time).
95. Shall finish – Intention to finish (We shall finish the task).
96. Should plan – Advice to plan (You should plan ahead).
97. Will return – Future certainty to return (He will return tomorrow).
98. Would support – Past willingness to support (She would support her friends).
99. Must arrive – Necessity to arrive (You must arrive on time).
100. Ought to save – Moral obligation to save (We ought to save resources).
101. Can learn – Ability to learn (She can learn quickly).
102. Could sing – Past ability to sing (He could sing loudly).
103. May participate – Permission to participate (You may participate in the event).
104. Might happen – Possibility of happening (It might happen soon).
105. Shall help – Intention to help (We shall help you).
106. Should try – Advice to try (You should try again).

Tips for Using Modal Verbs Usage in Competitive Examinations

Modal verbs usage is a key focus in SSC, IELTS, TOEFL, and GRE exams, tested through grammar, sentence correction, and comprehension tasks. Here are essential tips to master them:

1. Learn Core Modals: Memorize “can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought to” for SSC grammar.
2. Understand Context: Use modals for ability (e.g., “can”), obligation (e.g., “must”), or possibility (e.g., “might”) for IELTS writing.
3. Identify in Texts: Spot modal verbs in reading passages (e.g., “should”) for GRE comprehension.
4. Avoid Overuse: Balance modals with other verbs in essays for TOEFL writing.
5. Match Tense: Use past forms like “could” or “would” appropriately for SSC tests.
6. Enhance Speaking: Use modals (e.g., “may I”) in IELTS/

Conclusion

Modal verbs usage is a vital skill for expressing nuances like ability, possibility, and obligation, essential for excelling in competitive exams like SSC, IELTS, TOEFL, and GRE, where it tests grammar and writing proficiency. By mastering the 100+ modal verbs usage examples provided and applying the tips above, students and candidates can confidently tackle exam challenges and enhance their language skills. Consistent practice and a clear understanding of modal verbs usage will lead to exam success and improved communication abilities.

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