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267 Modal Verbs worksheets

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Modal verbs are another very popular topic in ESL classrooms so busy teachers have submitted 267 related worksheets. With so many to choose from and more being added regularly, you should take a look at the variety of worksheets available and consider using one of them with your students. Let’s take a look at some of these brilliant worksheets. This is a simple modal verbs survey activity for elementary learners; the exercise is to help them practice asking and answers questions about what they can do. Another worksheet focuses on using the phrase “must not” and includes all the instructions for a card game. You can find that right here; your lower level learners will certainly enjoy it. There is also an article with some advice for teaching modal verbs so take a look at that before introducing the topic in your classes.
Modal verbs are used in so many different situations that you should include them throughout your ESL course especially when working with intermediate learners. Modals are used for talking about ability and necessity as well as many other things. Make sure students have a clear understanding of certain modal verbs before having a lesson on giving advice or making suggestions. These words are imperative for this type of lesson. You will certainly find a number of occasions to have students practice using modals so make sure you have a good, memorable introduction to get them started.
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GRAMMAR TIP: What Are Modal Verbs?
In the English language, a modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb. The key way to identify a modal verb is by its defectiveness (they have neither participles nor infinitives). In addition, modal verbs do not take the inflection -s or -es in the third person singular, unlike other verbs. A modal verb (also modal, modal auxiliary verb, modal auxiliary) is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate modality -- that is, likelihood, ability, permission, and obligation. The use of auxiliary verbs to express modality is particularly characteristic of Germanic languages. Modal auxiliary verbs give more information about the function of the main verb that follows it. Although having a great variety of communicative functions, these functions can all be related to a scale ranging from possibility ("may") to necessity ("must"). Note that dare and need are much more commonly used as non-modal verbs, taking -s or -es in the third person singular and having an infinitive and past and present participles.
Freebase CC-BY
Source: English Modal Verb on Freebase, licensed under CC-BY

 
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[Grammar] To Be Verb [Grammar] To Be VerbI have used various resources to create this "To Be Verb" worksheet.I have included the basic rules at the beginning of the worksheet along with some exercises that students can complete.Exercise ...
  • 135
 (Rated by 2)

Complete Beginner Elementary Pre-Intermediate
 
Desperate Housewives Desperate HousewivesA speaking activity for upper-intermediate students inspired by the Desperate Housewives tv series which students may be familiar with. Not a role play, but a simulation activity where students pl ...
  • 108
 (Rated by 2)

Intermediate Upper Intermediate and Advanced
 
[Have To / Don't Have To] Practice [Have To / Don't Have To] PracticeThis worksheet consists of 20 pictures and 20 sentences with gaps. The students have to complete the sentences with the affirmative, interrogative form to express obligation and the negative (don' ...
  • 135
 (Rated by 2)

Elementary Pre-Intermediate
 
Modals Paraphrase Cards Modals Paraphrase CardsThis worksheet is for pair work. It is used to practise modals by paraphrasing sentences. 1. Divide the class into pairs and give each pair an appropriate set of cards.2. Explain to the students t ...
  • 135
 (Rated by 7)

Intermediate Upper Intermediate and Advanced
 
Past Modals Worksheet Past Modals WorksheetThis worksheet is used to practise past forms of some modal verbs and their equivalents (can/can't/could, may/might, must/mustn't, should/shouldn't, be able to).It also focuses on different meanin ...
  • 108
 (Rated by 4)

Upper Intermediate and Advanced
 
Modal Verbs: Worksheet II Modal Verbs: Worksheet IIThis is a worksheet for teaching modal verbs.It includes a grammar guide followed by 2 activities in which students are asked to complete the sentences with: may, could, would, can and shall.The w ...
  • 135
 (Rated by 6)

Pre-Intermediate Intermediate
 
Song Worksheet: If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson Song Worksheet: If I Had Eyes by Jack JohnsonI used this Jack Johnson's song during English Grammar teaching. Listening to the song was useful to revise some expressions, and to see the structure of Conditionals. We listened to the song befo ...
  • 108
 (Rated by 2)

Pre-Intermediate
 
Must or Must Be? Worksheet Must or Must Be? WorksheetThis is a worksheet for teaching the differences between must and must be.Students are asked to use either must or must be complete the sentences.The worksheet is available in both colour and blac ...
  • 135
 (Rated by 4)

Pre-Intermediate Intermediate
 
Modals for Opinions and Degrees of Certainty Modals for Opinions and Degrees of CertaintyThis worksheet can be used to practice modals to express degrees of certainty (Present or past). Example: The lights could have been caused by a storm or Aliens might try to communicate with us. I ...
  • 135
 (Rated by 6)

Pre-Intermediate Intermediate
 
May and Might Worksheet May and Might WorksheetThis is a very simple worksheet for teaching may and might.The worksheet is suitable for elementary students who are asked to rewrite the sentences with may and use the words in brackets to make s ...
  • 135
 (Rated by 7)

Elementary
 
Body Language: Gestures Worksheet Body Language: Gestures WorksheetThis is a worksheet that can be used in order to enhance students' writing skills about body language and gestures in different cultures. It encourages both students and teachers to visit the inte ...
  • 135
 (Rated by 1)

Intermediate
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