601 FREE Modal Verbs Worksheets & Exercises
BusyTeacher Home » » Modal Verbs

FREE Modal Verbs Worksheets

Can you teach modal verbs? Will you be able to? Should you look for even better ways to teach them? The answers to all these modal questions are “Yes!” - and that’s why BusyTeacher.org offers 601 modal verb worksheets to bring some fresh, fun ideas to your ESL classroom.

Teaching modal verbs takes some strategy. A lot of other languages don’t have exact one-word equivalents for verbs like “should” and “would,” which means direct word-for-word translation probably isn’t an option. The next-best approach is to give examples - but it’s not always easy for students to guess the difference between, say, “can” and “could” from context alone. Some teachers start with the simplest modal verbs - “can” and “should” - and build up the list from there, using a variety of reading and speaking exercises.

However you plan to combine these approaches, BusyTeacher.org offers a wide variety of worksheets to help make sure your students can read, write, hear, and speak correctly when it comes to modal verbs. The sheer diversity of our worksheets means you’ll never find yourself repeating the same modal verb lesson twice - and the range of activities and exercises they provide will keep your students thinking about modal verbs in every kind of usage and context.

Whether you’re introducing some level-one students to modal verbs for the very first time, helping some level-two students review the modal verbs they’ve already learned, or introducing higher-level students to modal verbs in some new tenses, we’ve got worksheets tailored for your students’ ESL proficiency. With 601 modal verb worksheets to choose from, you’re sure to find some that are just right for your class.

Looking for simple fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice worksheets to use for quizzes? We’ve got ‘em right here! Interested in active games that help students learn to use modal verbs in realistic conversations? Just take a look below! BusyTeacher.org even has modal verb worksheets designed around popular song lyrics, so your students can show off their newfound understanding of those songs to their friends.

All these worksheets have been created and shared by ESL teachers around the world - teachers just like you, who want to help each other improve the learning potential of their classrooms. They’ve been generous enough to make every worksheet on this site completely free to download, share, modify, and use as you like - you don’t even have to register on our site. All we ask is that, if you have a worksheet of your own that you’d like to share, you click the “Submit a worksheet” button at the bottom of this page to contribute it to our ever-growing community.

BusyTeacher.org’s convenient thumbnail view makes it easy to browse our 601 modal verb worksheets at a glance, without having to click and download each one just to see what it looks like. You can even save time by checking out the top ten most popular modal verb worksheets on BusyTeacher.org, or use the search function at the top of the page to pinpoint exactly the worksheets you’re looking for. We’re sure that, one way or another, you’ll find the worksheet you need. And we’re sure your class will love it!

Filter by Level
NEW
  • Complete Beginner (60)
  • Elementary (251)
  • Pre-Intermediate (308)
  • Intermediate (286)
  • Upper-Intermediate Advanced (168)
  • Exam Level (40)
  • Suitable for All Levels (12)
Clear filters
Filter
Dramatically improve the way you teach:




Make A Word Search:

Create awesome-looking custom word searches in seconds!

Make A Word Scramble:

Instantly create custom word/sentence scrambles for your class!

Make A Double Puzzle:

Generate double puzzles your students will love - hours of fun!

ESL Articles
Rate this Category
3.9 out of 5, rated by 8 teachers




Sort by: Most Recent | Most Viewed | Rating
Can, Could, May and Might Exercise Use one of the modal verbs in brackets to fill each gap.

Can, Could, May and Might Exercise Use one of the modal verbs in brackets to fill each gap.

Can, Could, May and Might Exercise Example gap-fill questions: Use one of the modal verbs in brackets to fill each gap. 1 They (can/might)________________ be away for the weekend but I'm not su ...
32 Views 60,073 Pre-Int
Giving advice

Giving advice

Here's an easy and useful speaking activity about giving advice for elementary students. Example activities: Tell your friend about your problems and let him/her give you some advice. Now, list ...
28 Views 42,361 Elem
Can-Could Activity for Young Learners

Can-Could Activity for Young Learners

Printable Can/Could worksheet for young learners who have already learnt modals.
13 Views 18,404 Beg
Quiz for 11-13-year-olds

Quiz for 11-13-year-olds

An exam for juniors between 11 and 13 years old, it has a little of grammar: modal verbs should must, future will, prepositions, indefinite pronouns and some vocabulary . I hope you like it.
15 Views 16,108 Elem
You Should See A Doctor

You Should See A Doctor

Some flashcards, and 2 domino games to practise "health problem" vocabulary.
66 Views 43,550 Pre-Int
Put BusyTeacher in your inbox

Sign up for the BusyTeacher Weekly and be the first to get direct links to our latest teaching articles, worksheets and lesson plans. Goes out to 323,134 subscribers every Wednesday.
See last week's issue.

Can and Cannot

Can and Cannot

Pupils match verbs to pictures, ask questions Can you...? Yes, I can. / No, I can't: simple but very enjoyable !!
9 Views 7,455 Elem
Modal Verbs Worksheet

Modal Verbs Worksheet

» Modal Verbs
This is a chart with modal verbs and their meanings and an exercise to guess the meaning of the modal used in each sentence.
48 Views 80,020 Pre-Int
Modal Verbs (clear and full presentation in tables)

Modal Verbs (clear and full presentation in tables)

» Modal Verbs
Guys, this is something I adore giving at my classes I guess, deep down my students hate me for that. But I am a strong believer of the fact that without mastering modal verbs you can not even ...
20 Views 22,345 Adv
Modals with traffic signs

Modals with traffic signs

» Modal Verbs
basic and intermediate level of teaching modals on ESL class. min:45 level: intermediate
30 Views 22,944 ElemPre-IntInt
Reasons to be famous

Reasons to be famous

Modal Verbs,
Revision of tenses
35 Views 6,288 Int
CUTTING EDGE ELEMENTARY WORKSHEET module 14

CUTTING EDGE ELEMENTARY WORKSHEET module 14

A worksheet for Cutting Edge Elementary with a key Places to go Writing about a famous place in yuor country and rules you have to follow there.
27 Views 14,186 Elem
Observations 3

Observations 3

, Modal Verbs,
Have (got) to (Obligation)
20 Views 6,752 ElemPre-Int
Do It Yourself Quiz

Do It Yourself Quiz

Need + Noun Want + Infinitive
8 Views 5,791 ElemPre-Int
Picnic

Picnic

Going To (Future) Can (Permission)
10 Views 8,201 ElemPre-Int
Animal Quiz

Animal Quiz

Verb to be Present Simple Have Got Can (ability)
31 Views 14,313 Elem
Observation 2

Observation 2

Can (Requests)
13 Views 9,436 Elem
Alphabet game

Alphabet game

20-30 minutes word game. Modal verbs.
12 Views 11,869 Adv
When we were ten

When we were ten

, Modal Verbs,
15-20 minutes activity. Modal verbs. To find out information about classmates by asking and answering questions.
8 Views 6,064 Adv
Advice from Anna

Advice from Anna

, Modal Verbs,
Giving written advice.
10 Views 8,428 Elem
Why would a person do this

Why would a person do this

Practice modals of deduction
6 Views 12,751 Adv
Detectives

Detectives

Deduction and Speculation game to practise time expressions.
8 Views 17,526 Int

Song Worksheet: Sometimes You Can't Make it (WITH VIDEO)

U2's song "Sometimes you can't make it" has the lyrics with exercises. It deals with family issues. Gramatically, it demonstrates the difference between "mustn't" and "don't have to". It has al ...
25 Views 16,959 Elem
Modal Verbs - Modals and Related Expressions

Modal Verbs - Modals and Related Expressions

, Modal Verbs
seven sets of exercises using the modal verbs (fill in the blanks and multiple choice) followed by a final test.
15 Views 15,335 IntAdv
Modal Verbs - Modals and Related Expressions

Modal Verbs - Modals and Related Expressions

, Modal Verbs
seven sets of exercises using the modal verbs (fill in the blanks and multiple choice) followed by a final test.
7 Views 12,826 IntAdv
Modal Verbs - Rephrasing

Modal Verbs - Rephrasing

, Modal Verbs
A set of sentences to be rephrased using the modal verbs
22 Views 18,787 AdvExam

Got a great worksheet on Modal Verbs? Tell us about it and become a BusyTeacher contributor!

Submit a Worksheet