Mastering Modal Verbs

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Mastering Modal Verbs

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify and use modal verbs in sentences.

This slide should be used to introduce the learning objective of the lesson.

What do you already know about modal verbs?

Definition of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express the attitude or opinion of the speaker about the action or state expressed in the sentence. Examples include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.

This slide should be used to define what modal verbs are and give examples.

Uses of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are used to express ability, advice, permission, possibility, necessity, and obligation.

This slide should be used to explain the different uses of modal verbs and give examples.

Modal Verbs for Ability

Can and could are used to express ability. Can is used in the present tense, while could is used in the past tense.

This slide should be used to explain how to use modal verbs for ability and give examples.

Modal Verbs for Advice

Should and ought to are used to give advice. They are followed by the base form of the verb.

This slide should be used to explain how to use modal verbs for advice and give examples.

Modal Verbs for Permission

May and can are used to ask for permission. May is more formal than can.

This slide should be used to explain how to use modal verbs for permission and give examples.

Modal Verbs for Possibility

May, might, and could are used to express possibility. Might is more uncertain than may and could.

This slide should be used to explain how to use modal verbs for possibility and give examples.

Modal Verbs for Necessity

Must and have to are used to express necessity. Must is more formal than have to.

This slide should be used to explain how to use modal verbs for necessity and give examples.

Modal Verbs for Obligation

Should and must are used to express obligation. Should is less strong than must.

This slide should be used to explain how to use modal verbs for obligation and give examples.

Interactive Exercise

Identify the modal verbs in the following sentences: 

 1. I should study for my exams. 

 2. He could ride a bike when he was five. 

 3. May I borrow your pencil?

This slide should be used for an interactive exercise to reinforce the use of modal verbs.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.