Modal Mania: Mastering Modals

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• mavo, havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Modal Mania: Mastering Modals

3A

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to use modals in positive and negative forms.

Introduce the learning goal and ensure students understand what they will be able to do by the end of the lesson.

Do you already know some modals (hulpwerkwoorden)?

What are Modals?

Modals are special verbs used to indicate possibility, permission, ability, and obligation. 

Examples include 

• can 
• could
• ought to
• should
• must
• may,
• might

Define what modals are and give examples of common modals to ensure students understand the concept.

Positive Form of Modals

In positive form, modals are used to express ability, possibility, permission, and obligation. Example: 

You must finish your homework before going out to play.

Explain how modals are used in positive form and provide an example to help students understand the concept.

Negative Form of Modals

In negative form, modals are used to express inability, impossibility, prohibition, and lack of obligation. 

Example: You must not forget to study for the exam.

Explain how modals are used in negative form and provide an example to help students understand the concept.

Fill in the correct modal verb: You _____ take an umbrella with you. It might rain later.

1. will
2. can
3. must
4. should

Fill in the correct modal verb: She _____ study harder if she wants to pass the exam.

1. could
2. might
3. would
4. must

_____ I borrow your pen, please?

1. May
2. Can
3. Must
4. Should

You _____ study harder if you want to pass the test.

1. Could
2. Would
3. Might
4. Should

I _____ swim when I was five years old.

1. Should
2. Would
3. Could
4. Might

_____ you help me with my homework?

1. Can
2. Must
3. Should
4. May

allesvoorengels.nl

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.