What are modal verbs?
What are modal verbs? Modal verbs are a special kind of verb which are used alongside other verbs to indicate possibility, obligation and ability.
Here are some common examples of modal verbs:
- Can, could, should, would, may, will, shall, might and must.
Different uses of modal verbs
Modal verbs are easier to learn when they are taught in groups depending on their uses.
For example, some modal verbs are used to express a skill or an ability, including: could, can or be able to.
- The girl can dance very well.
Other modal verbs are used to express advice or an obligation to do something. Examples include:
- You must go to school.
- She should help her mum tidy up.
- Modal verbs used to show the possibility of something happening include: will, shall, might, may.
- Some modal verbs suggest permission to do something, such as:
- He may stay for tea.
Notice how a modal verb provides more information about the function of the verb that comes after it.
When do children learn about modal verbs?
Learning about modal verbs happens from Key Stage 1 onward, as children will be aware of these words simply from reading and basic writing tasks.
In Year 5 children will be introduced to the technical term modal verb. Teachers will get them to identify examples when they are reading, before talking about the effect of those verbs in the sentence.
Teachers will also provide children with writing tasks to help them practice their use of modal verbs. These tasks might include filling in the gap exercises, where children are asked to complete sentences using the correct modal verb.
How do children struggle with modal verbs?
As modal verbs behave irregularly in past and negative forms, it can be difficult for children to learn how to use them correctly. For example, the word ‘must’ has different past tenses depending on its function.
When used to express certainty, the past tense of ‘must’ is ‘must have’, for example:
- That must have cost you a lot of money.
Whereas, when ‘must’ is used to express necessity, the past tense is ‘had to’:
- We had to have a ticket to get into the concert.
It will take time for children to learn the different forms and uses of modal verbs, but looking out for examples when reading is often a helpful way of building their confidence.
How does Learning Street help children with modal verbs?
Learning Street courses introduce and develop children’s understanding of modal verbs in a normal and natural way that supports the learning they will have done in class.
Work on modal verbs continues throughout Key Stage Two (KS2) and is particularly important for children taking their KS2 SATS tests to have a full grasp of modal verbs and how to use them.
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