Modal Auxiliaries Worksheet

Print worksheet gives 6 sentences: circle the modal that carries the meaning in brackets.

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Made at homeroomtools.comRead each sentence. Circle the word that fits.1.2.3.4.5.6.Modal auxiliariesYoutaste the soup before you add salt. (advice)willmayshouldBring a snack; the linebe long. (possibility)wouldmightmustWethank the bus driver. (advice)shouldwillwouldAfter winter, springcome. (sure to happen)willwouldmayYouchoose any seat in the front row.(permission)willmayshouldYougo out to play after dinner. (permission)mustwouldcan
Made at homeroomtools.comRead each sentence. Circle the word that fits.1.2.3.4.5.6.Modal auxiliariesAnswer keyYoutaste the soup before you add salt. (advice)willmayshouldBring a snack; the linebe long. (possibility)wouldmightmustWethank the bus driver. (advice)shouldwillwouldAfter winter, springcome. (sure to happen)willwouldmayYouchoose any seat in the front row.(permission)willmayshouldYougo out to play after dinner. (permission)mustwouldcanshouldmightshouldwillmaycan
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All 150 sentences

Pick the modal 90

  • A strong swimmer ___ float without moving. (ability) can, may, should
  • After winter, spring ___ come. (sure to happen) may, will, would
  • All bikes ___ have a bell and a light. (necessity) may, must, would
  • As a baby, Lena ___ sleep through any noise. (past ability) can, could, must
  • At age three, Ravi ___ already ride a scooter. (past ability) can, could, must
  • Be careful; the paint ___ still be wet. (possibility) might, must, would
  • Before the cast, Jo ___ swim two laps underwater. (past ability) can, could, will
  • Bring a snack; the line ___ be long. (possibility) might, must, would
  • The bus ___ be late because of the snow. (possibility) might, must, would
  • Campers ___ swim until five o'clock. (permission) may, must, would
  • Check the lost and found; your scarf ___ be there. (possibility) could, must, will
  • Dad says we ___ stay up late tonight. (permission) can, must, should
  • Dogs ___ stay on a leash near the pond. (necessity) can, might, must
  • Each team ___ have five players on the court. (necessity) could, may, must
  • Every swimmer ___ shower before entering the pool. (necessity) may, might, must
  • Everyone ___ read the directions twice. (advice) may, should, would
  • Goalies ___ wear gloves in this league. (necessity) could, may, must
Show all 150 sentences (133 more)

Pick the modal, continued

  • Grandma ___ visit in June; she is not sure yet. (possibility) might, must, will
  • Hikers ___ carry water on the desert trail. (necessity) could, may, must
  • I ___ balance a broom on one finger. (ability) can, might, must
  • I ___ finish my chores before I go out. (necessity) might, must, would
  • I ___ read a trail map without help. (ability) can, must, would
  • I ___ try out for the play; I have not decided. (possibility) might, must, will
  • ___ I have the last pancake? (permission) Can, Must, Should
  • ___ I sharpen my pencil? (permission) May, Must, Will
  • I think you ___ call your grandmother back. (advice) may, should, would
  • ___ I use the red marker next? (permission) May, Must, Will
  • The ice ___ melt when the room warms up. (sure to happen) may, will, would
  • In first grade, I ___ only count to fifty. (past ability) can, could, will
  • It ___ rain this afternoon, so pack a coat. (possibility) may, must, would
  • Last year I ___ not reach the top shelf. (past ability) can, could, should
  • The library ___ close early if the roads freeze. (possibility) may, must, would
  • Library books ___ be returned within two weeks. (necessity) could, may, must
  • Long ago, my grandpa ___ run a mile in six minutes. (past ability) can, could, may
  • Marco ___ name every bone in the hand. (ability) can, should, will
  • Mia ___ practice her lines once more. (advice) may, should, would
  • The missing sock ___ be under the bed. (possibility) could, must, would
  • My brother ___ turn ten in March. (sure to happen) could, might, will
  • My cousin ___ play the banjo. (ability) can, might, should
  • My grandmother ___ knit a sock in one evening. (ability) can, must, should
  • Next year I ___ be in fifth grade. (sure to happen) could, might, will
  • Nico ___ juggle three beanbags. (ability) can, might, must
  • Our goat ___ unlatch the barn door. (ability) can, may, should
  • Our parrot ___ say six words. (ability) can, may, should
  • Our team ___ win on Saturday, but nobody knows. (possibility) might, must, will
  • The play ___ begin at seven sharp. (sure to happen) may, will, would
  • The power ___ go out during the storm. (possibility) might, must, would
  • School ___ start again on Monday. (sure to happen) may, will, would
  • She ___ type without looking at the keys. (ability) can, may, must
  • Students ___ leave when the bell rings. (permission) may, should, would
  • The sun ___ rise again tomorrow. (sure to happen) might, will, would
  • Take a jacket; it ___ get cold after dark. (possibility) might, must, would
  • That gray cat ___ belong to the neighbors. (possibility) might, must, would
  • That rumble ___ be thunder or a truck. (possibility) could, must, will
  • This old key ___ fit the shed lock. (possibility) may, must, would
  • Tia ___ count backward from one hundred. (ability) can, must, will
  • Tomorrow ___ be Friday. (sure to happen) could, might, will
  • Until he lost his glasses, Dad ___ read tiny print. (past ability) can, could, must
  • Visitors ___ take photos in the garden. (permission) may, must, would
  • We ___ hurry, or the shop will close. (necessity) might, must, would
  • We ___ leave a note so Mom does not worry. (advice) may, should, would
  • We ___ leave by noon to catch the ferry. (necessity) can, might, must
  • We ___ need a second bus for the trip. (possibility) may, must, would
  • We ___ pack an extra pair of socks. (advice) may, should, would
  • We ___ see a comet if the sky stays clear. (possibility) might, must, would
  • We ___ see the lake from our porch. (ability) can, should, would
  • We ___ thank the bus driver. (advice) should, will, would
  • ___ we eat lunch outside today? (permission) May, Should, Would
  • When we lived by the sea, we ___ hear the waves. (past ability) can, could, should
  • Years ago, my aunt ___ speak three languages. (past ability) can, could, may
  • Yesterday the fog was thick, and we ___ not see the road. (past ability) can, could, should
  • You ___ ask the librarian for help. (advice) should, will, would
  • You ___ borrow my ruler until lunch. (permission) may, must, will
  • You ___ choose any seat in the front row. (permission) may, should, will
  • You ___ feed the goats at the farm gate. (permission) may, must, would
  • You ___ go out to play after dinner. (permission) can, must, would
  • You ___ label your lunch box. (advice) should, will, would
  • You ___ raise your hand before you speak. (necessity) might, must, would
  • You ___ save your report before the laptop dies. (advice) may, should, will
  • You ___ show your ticket at the gate. (necessity) could, might, must
  • You ___ start the test now. (permission) may, must, will
  • You ___ taste the soup before you add salt. (advice) may, should, will
  • You ___ use my bike while I am away. (permission) can, must, would
  • You ___ wear boots; the trail is muddy. (advice) may, should, would
  • ___ you help me carry this bench, please? (polite request) May, Should, Would
  • ___ you mind closing the window? (polite request) May, Must, Would
  • ___ you pass the napkins, please? (polite request) Must, Should, Would
  • ___ you please hold the door? (polite request) May, Must, Would
  • ___ you please read the next line aloud? (polite request) May, Must, Would
  • Your bike chain squeaks. You ___ oil it. (advice) should, will, would

Name the meaning 60

  • All visitors must sign in at the office. (must) necessity, permission, possibility
  • The baby may wake up if the door slams. (may) ability, advice, possibility
  • Ben should wear a hat; the sun is strong. (should) ability, advice, permission
  • The bread may be stale by Friday. (may) ability, advice, possibility
  • Can I borrow your stapler for a minute? (can) advice, necessity, permission
  • The coach said we can take a water break. (can) advice, necessity, permission
  • Dad said I can stay up for the fireworks. (can) advice, necessity, permission
  • Dev can solve the cube in under a minute. (can) ability, necessity, possibility
  • The door must stay shut while the heater is on. (must) ability, necessity, permission
  • Drivers must stop for a school bus. (must) necessity, permission, possibility
  • Even as a toddler, Omar could hum a tune. (could) ability, advice, permission
  • Every rider must hold the handrail. (must) ability, necessity, permission
  • Everyone must wait behind the yellow line. (must) necessity, permission, possibility
  • The game may be canceled if the storm arrives. (may) ability, advice, possibility
  • Guests may park behind the gym. (may) ability, advice, permission
  • I can carry both bags by myself. (can) ability, advice, necessity
  • I could tie my shoes before I started school. (could) ability, necessity, permission
  • I might have a spare pencil in my bag. (might) necessity, permission, possibility
  • I must return this book today; it is due. (must) necessity, permission, possibility
  • I think we should start with the easy puzzle. (should) ability, advice, permission
  • It could take an hour to untangle these lights. (could) advice, permission, possibility
  • It might snow before morning. (might) advice, permission, possibility
  • Kim can braid her own hair. (can) ability, advice, necessity
  • The lost kitten could be hiding in the shed. (could) advice, necessity, possibility
  • May I get a drink of water? (may) advice, necessity, permission
  • May I ring the bell today? (may) ability, advice, permission
  • May we work with a partner? (may) ability, necessity, permission
  • Mom says we can paint the doghouse blue. (can) necessity, permission, possibility
  • My little brother can zip his own coat now. (can) ability, advice, necessity
  • My uncle can fix any flat tire. (can) ability, advice, possibility
  • Our cat can jump onto the top of the fridge. (can) ability, advice, necessity
  • Rosa can spell every word on the list. (can) ability, necessity, possibility
  • Runners must stay in their own lanes. (must) ability, necessity, possibility
  • She could read music long before she read words. (could) ability, advice, permission
  • She should double-knot her laces before the race. (should) ability, advice, permission
  • Students may use a dictionary on this quiz. (may) ability, necessity, permission
  • That could be the mail carrier at the door. (could) advice, necessity, possibility
  • There could be a frog under that leaf. (could) advice, permission, possibility
  • They should leave early to beat the traffic. (should) ability, advice, permission
  • This box may be heavier than it looks. (may) ability, advice, possibility
  • The twins can whistle the school song. (can) ability, advice, necessity
  • We might be late for the first song. (might) ability, permission, possibility
  • We might spot a heron at the pond. (might) necessity, permission, possibility
  • We must be quiet during the fire drill. (must) ability, necessity, possibility
  • We must feed the class hamster every morning. (must) necessity, permission, possibility
  • We should bring an umbrella, just in case. (should) ability, advice, permission
  • We should save some cake for Dad. (should) ability, advice, possibility
  • We should water the ferns before we go. (should) ability, advice, possibility
  • When he was young, Grandpa could dance all night. (could) ability, advice, permission
  • You may leave your boots by the door. (may) ability, necessity, permission
  • You may open your books now. (may) ability, advice, permission
  • You may take one cookie from the tray. (may) ability, advice, permission
  • You must have a pass to walk in the hall. (must) ability, necessity, possibility
  • You must rinse the brushes after art. (must) ability, necessity, possibility
  • You must wear a seat belt on the bus. (must) ability, necessity, possibility
  • You should check your answers before you hand in the quiz. (should) ability, advice, permission
  • You should read this book next; it is very funny. (should) ability, advice, permission
  • You should tell the teacher what happened. (should) ability, advice, possibility
  • You should try the lemon pie; it is the best one. (should) ability, advice, necessity
  • You should write your name on the back. (should) ability, advice, possibility

How this list was compiled: Written for this page. In the first set each sentence has a blank and a meaning in brackets, and one of the three modal auxiliaries under it carries that meaning: can for ability or permission, could for ability in the past or for what is possible, may for permission or for what is possible, might for what is possible, must for necessity, should for advice, will for what is sure to happen and would for a polite request. A wrong choice never carries the meaning in the brackets, so can is never offered beside may for permission. In the second set a modal is repeated in brackets, to label ability, permission, possibility, necessity or advice. The meanings follow the Wikipedia article English modal auxiliary verbs, section Usage of specific verbs, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_modal_auxiliary_verbs, and the Purdue Online Writing Lab, Verbs with Helpers (modals keep the same form and do not change to agree with the subject), owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/verb_tenses/verbs_with_helpers.html, read 16 October 2026. Modal auxiliaries are standard L.4.1c of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (Use modal auxiliaries (e.g., can, may, must) to convey various conditions), published at thecorestandards.org and read the same day. First names are made up; no person, brand or character is named. Licence: own work

How it works

A modal auxiliary is a helping verb that adds meaning to the main verb: can for ability, may for permission, might for possibility, must for necessity, should for advice.

Read the full guide

Which modal fits

The brackets after each sentence say what the modal has to show. You ___ start the test now. (permission) takes may, not must or will. Past ability takes could, a polite request takes would, and something sure to happen takes will.

What does the modal show

Under Set, pick Name the meaning. Now the modal is given and the meaning is the question. In Dad said I can stay up for the fireworks, can shows permission; in Kim can braid her own hair, it shows ability.

  • The verb after a modal is plain: he must wait, never he must waits or he must to wait.
  • Must and should differ in strength: must is a rule, should is advice.

Questions and answers

Are these modal auxiliaries worksheets for 4th grade?

Yes. Common Core standard L.4.1c reads: Use modal auxiliaries (e.g., can, may, must) to convey various conditions.

Which modal auxiliary verbs do the 4th grade worksheets cover?

Can, could, may, might, must, should, will and would, drawn at random onto each worksheet. Shall and ought to are left out.

What is the difference between may and might?

Both say that something is possible: It may rain, It might rain. May also gives or asks permission, as in May I come in? On these sheets might is only ever the answer for possibility.

Can I save the 4th grade modal auxiliaries worksheet as a PDF?

Yes. Press Print worksheet and choose Save as PDF as the printer. The answer key is the last page of the file, with the right modal circled under each sentence.

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