CBSE Class 10 English: Modal Verbs and Their Correct Usage

Why Modal Verbs Matter in Your CBSE English Exam

Ever wondered why a single word like “can” can change the whole tone of a sentence? In CBSE Class 10 English, modal verbs are the secret sauce that shows ability, permission, possibility, or obligation.

Modal verbs are special helping words that tell us how likely something is, who’s allowed to do it, or what must happen. Think of them as traffic lights for sentences – green means go, yellow means maybe, red means stop.

What Are Modal Verbs?

A modal verb (also called a modal auxiliary) is a short verb that works together with a main verb to add meaning. Unlike regular verbs, it never changes form – no –s, –ed, or –ing. For example, in “She can swim”, “can” is the modal and “swim” is the main action.

Key Features of Modal Verbs

No “-s” in third person singular – we say “He may go”, not “He mays go”.
No infinitive “to” after them – “must to study” is wrong; it’s just “must study”.
Followed by the base form of the main verb – the verb stays in its simplest shape.
Express attitude – they show possibility, ability, permission, or duty.

Common Modal Verbs and How to Use Them

Modal	Typical Meaning	Example Sentence	Note
can	ability	She can solve the puzzle quickly.	Used for present ability.
could	past ability or polite possibility	He could run fast when he was younger.	Also used for polite requests.
may	permission or low‑level possibility	You may leave after the bell.	Formal permission.
might	slight possibility	It might rain later.	Weaker than “may”.
must	strong obligation or deduction	Students must wear uniforms.	Shows necessity.
should	advice or expectation	You should revise before the test.	Less forceful than “must”.
will	future intention	We will start the project tomorrow.	Often used for promises.
would	polite request or imagined situation	Would you help me with homework?	Can also express habit in the past.

Rules to Remember for CBSE Exams

Never add “to” after a modal: must go, not must to go.
Use the base verb (infinitive without “to”): can speak, not can speaks.
When you need a negative, add “not” after the modal: cannot, should not, might not. Contractions like “can’t” are fine in informal writing.
For questions, place the modal at the start: Can you open the window?
Some modals have special past forms: “could” for past ability, “might have” for past possibility.

Worked Examples

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct modal:

_____ (must) we finish the experiment today? – Must we finish… (shows strong necessity)
She _____ (may) join us if she finishes her homework. – may (permission/possibility)
They _____ (could) hear the music from next door. – could (past ability)

Why each answer works: “Must” asks for a firm requirement, “may” gives a conditional permission, and “could” reflects a past ability that may no longer exist.

2. Turn the statements into polite requests using a modal:

Give me the book. → Could you give me the book, please?
Explain the answer. → Would you explain the answer?

Quick Comparison at a Glance

Can vs. Could – “can” for present ability, “could” for past ability or polite ask.
May vs. Might – “may” for higher chance, “might” for lower chance.
Must vs. Should – “must” for compulsory rules, “should” for advice.
Will vs. Would – “will” for definite future, “would” for conditional or polite.

📝 Likely Exam Questions

Choose the correct modal: “You ___ (must/should) submit the assignment by Friday.”
Answer: must – it is a compulsory deadline.
Rewrite in negative form: “She can play the violin.”
Answer: She cannot (can’t) play the violin.
Fill the blank with a modal that shows possibility: “It ___ rain tonight.”
Answer: might (or may) – both indicate possibility.
Identify the error: “He must to study harder.”
Answer: Remove “to”. Correct: He must study harder.
Make a polite request using a modal: “Help me with the project.”
Answer: Could you help me with the project, please?

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