I like ham, cheese and salad sandwiches.

Identify the Verb

Identify the verb in each of the following sentences:

I catch the train to my nan’s house.

They go out for dinner.

I ride my scooter on the ramps.

I like ham, cheese and salad sandwiches.

I catch the train to my nan’s house.

They go out for dinner.

I ride my scooter on the ramps.

Reveal Answers

I might like ham, cheese and salad sandwiches.

Modal Verbs for Possibility or Certainty

How have the sentences changed? What types of words have been added?

I shall catch the train to my nan’s house.

They could go out for dinner.

I will ride my scooter on the ramps.

Reveal Answers

I might like ham, cheese and salad sandwiches.

I shall catch the train to my nan’s house.

They could go out for dinner.

I will ride my scooter on the ramps.

Modal verbs have been added to describe the

possibility or certainty of something happening.

Write About It!

Write a sentence about this photograph which contains a modal verb.

Adding Modal Verbs

Identify the imperative verbs in the following commands:

How does the meaning of the sentence change with an added modal verb?

Come home now. You must come home now.

Stay off the grass. You should stay off the grass.

Finish your work now. You will finish your work now.

Put that down. You ought to put that down.

Eat your vegetables. You can eat your vegetables.

Reveal Answers Reveal Answers

Come home now.

Stay off the grass.

Finish your work now.

Put that down.

Eat your vegetables.

You must come home now.

You should stay off the grass.

You will finish your work now.

You ought to put that down.

You can eat your vegetables.

Spin the WheelSpin the wheel to select a modal verb to use in your sentence.

Spin

Then select whether your sentence must be positive or negative.

On your whiteboard, using the modal verb that you have spun, share your ideas with your partner.

What did you need to do to make sentences negative?

Positive

Negative

1 2

3

Modal Verbs for Ability

Can you spot the modal verbs in these sentences?

Marie can dance gracefully.

I cannot swim well.

Zara cannot do the splits yet.

Jamie can ride his bike without stabilisers.

The choir can sing beautifully.

The dog can catch a frisbee.

Sort them into positive and negative sentences.

Positive Negative

Marie can dance gracefully.

I cannot swim well.

Zara cannot do the splits yet.

Jamie can ride his bike without stabilisers.

The choir can sing beautifully.

The dog can catch a frisbee.

Spot the Modal VerbsCan you spot the modal verbs in the following diary extract?

Tomorrow should be the county Sports Day if the weather is dry, but it might rain like last year meaning it will have to be postponed. If it is on, I shall compete in the skipping race

which I ought to win.

Mr Davis says we must wear our school colours so we can be easily identified among the large crowds. I will wear my

lucky shorts with my school top.

Last year, the team from St Barnabas were the overall winners but this year we could win after all the practising

we have been doing. We will all be jumping for joy if we are the victors but I must not get my hopes up too high. I would love to go home with a medal though, so I will try my best

in all of my events and will not give up.

I cannot wait until tomorrow. I hope the sun will be shining!

Write About It!

Write a sentence about this photograph which contains a modal verb.

Modal Verb Weather Forecast

Can you use modal verbs to write the weather forecast?

e.g. In the north of England, the sun will shine.

Compare your forecast with a partner. Have you used the same modal verbs?

How Would You Use It?

Imagine you are travelling alone in space. You must chose which of the following random objects to take with you and write sentences with modal verbs to explain why you have chosen it, e.g. a pen.

I could write a diary of my journey.

I might be able to use parts of the pen (e.g. the spring) to mend broken equipment.

I would be able to play word games when I was feeling lonely.

Write About It!

Write a sentence about this photograph which contains a modal verb.

They should have locked the door.

Quick Quiz

Underline the modal verb in the following sentences:

We could have gone to the beach yesterday.

Piers wouldn’t have fallen off his bike if he’d stayed on the track.

It ought to have been my turn in the next game.

Reveal Answers

I cannot believe the snow we had yesterday.

They should have locked the door.

We could have gone to the beach yesterday.

Piers wouldn’t have fallen off his bike if he’d stayed on the track.

It ought to have been my turn in the next game.

I cannot believe the snow we had yesterday.

Quick Quiz

Which event is most likely to happen?

Reveal Answers

There might be snow tomorrow.

If you continue to mess around, I will phone your parents.

My parents could go out for dinner later if our babysitter is free.

We may get a pet dog when my sister is a few years older.

If you continue to mess around, I will phone your parents.

Quick Quiz

Does the modal verb in each sentence show indicate certainty or possibility? Tick one box in each row:

Reveal Answers

SentenceModal verb indicates

certaintyModal verb indicates

possibility

I will complete my homework this evening.

My football team might win the league this year.

Akio can do tricks on his skateboard.

Now, write another sentence that contains a modal verb that shows possibility.