Modal Verbs and Possibility
Understand and use modal verbs (can, may, must, might, shall, will, could, should, would) and modal adverbs (perhaps, surely, certainly) to indicate degrees of possibility, necessity, and permission
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Choose modal words to show possibility, permission, a requirement or advice in a clear context.
Choose modal words to show possibility, permission, a requirement or advice in a clear context.
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Check understanding
- Select a modal verb to express certainty, probability, or possibility in a sentence, e.g. 'It will rain' vs 'It might rain' vs 'It could rain'
- Replace a modal verb with a modal adverb to achieve a similar effect, e.g. 'He might come' → 'Perhaps he will come'
- Distinguish between modals expressing permission (may, can), obligation (must, should), and possibility (might, could) in context
“When your child writes, do they choose between words like "must", "might", "could", and "should" to show whether something is certain, possible, or just an idea — rather than treating every action as definite?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Grammar & Punctuation
- Age range
- Ages 9–10
Standards