Present & Past Modals

Learn how to use modal verbs to express possibility, necessity, or advisability in present and past contexts.

Video Lesson

Modal verbs express certainty, possibility, probability, necessity, or advisability.

Remember: Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the main verb!

Present Modals

Use a modal + (not) + base verb for present situations.

  • must: certainty (e.g., "He must be rich.")
  • should / ought to: advisability (e.g., "You should study.")
  • can / could / may / might: possibility / probability (e.g., "She may be at home.")

Past Modals

Use a modal + (not) + have + past participle for past situations.

  • must have: certainty (e.g., "She must have been sick.")
  • could have / might have: possibility (e.g., "He might have gone to the gym.")

Practice: Complete the Sentences

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the modal verbs.

1. Look at her expensive watch. She (must, be) rich.

2. Mrs. Smith wasn't at her office yesterday. She (could, have) a meeting.

3. Salma wasn't home last night. She (might, go) to the gym.

4. I always wake up late. I (should, set) an alarm clock.

5. Karim is absent today. He (may, be) sick.

6. Amina didn't get a good score in the last exam. She (must not, revise) her lessons.

7. My grandparents were late for the family party we had yesterday. They (could, be) stuck in traffic.

8. The manager isn't in his office. You (can, find) him in the meeting room right now.

9. Ahmed looks very upset today. He (must, have) problems at work again.

10. He was very sick. He (should, see) a doctor.