Modal Verbs

Use modal verbs and related expressions to show ability, permission, possibility, certainty, obligation, advice and deduction.

16 resources

Guide
C1 level

Hedging and Degrees of Certainty

Calibrate English claims to evidence with may, likely, appear and tend to. Distinguish findings, interpretations and forecasts without over-hedging.

Nov 6, 2026 8 min read
Lesson
A2 level

Library Rules: Must, Have To and Should Practice

Read six library signs and answer 12 A2 questions on rules, advice and common misunderstandings. Write three helpful tips and compare model answers.

Nov 2, 2026 6 min read
Guide
A2 level

Must, Have To and Should: Rules and Advice

Learn must, have to and should for rules and advice. Compare mustn’t with don’t have to, practise past obligation and try six explained checks.

Nov 2, 2026 6 min read
Lesson
B2 level

The Missing Picnic Box: Past Modal Practice

Use a fictional evidence log to separate past explanations, missed chances and useful hindsight.

Oct 28, 2026 10 min read
Guide
B2 level

Past Modals: Must Have, Might Have, Could Have and Should Have

Distinguish deduction, possibility, missed opportunity and retrospective advice about the past.

Oct 27, 2026 10 min read
Grammar lesson
C1 level

Hedging and stance: Making careful, precise claims

Qualify claims with expressions such as appears to, tends to and may well. Match your level of certainty to the evidence and choose language that suits the context and register.

Sep 17, 2026
Grammar lesson
C1 level

Degrees of certainty: Must be, may have and likely to

Express how certain you are using modals, perfect and continuous forms, and expressions such as likely and bound to. Match the strength of your statement to the available evidence.

Sep 17, 2026
Grammar lesson
B2 level

B2 review: Complex grammar in context

Combine conditionals, past modals, passives and linking expressions in realistic contexts. Check time relationships and meaning as you choose, correct and rewrite sentences.

Sep 17, 2026
Grammar lesson
B2 level

Past modals: Must have, should have and needn't have

Use modal + have + past participle to make deductions, express criticism and discuss past necessity. Distinguish needn't have done from didn't need to do.

Sep 17, 2026
Grammar lesson
B1 level

B1 review: Modals, relative clauses and reported speech

Use modals, relative clauses, verb patterns, passives and reported speech together in context. Check that your choices preserve the speaker's meaning and connect ideas clearly.

Sep 17, 2026
Grammar lesson
B1 level

Could, was able to and managed to: Past ability

Describe general past abilities with could and specific achievements with was able to or managed to. Learn how negative forms and verbs of perception affect the choice.

Sep 17, 2026
Grammar lesson
B1 level

Must, might and can't: Deductions about the present

Use evidence to say what must be true, might be possible or can't be true now. Practise degrees of certainty and distinguish deductions from rules and obligations.

Sep 17, 2026