Basic Details
Word: Modal
Part of Speech: Noun, adjective
Meaning: In grammar, a modal (or modal verb) is a helping verb such as can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will or would. It shows ability, possibility, permission or duty.
Sounds like: model (a small copy of something, or a person who poses for photos)
How to Spell Modal
Syllables: mo - dal
Tricky part: It ends in al, not el or le. Model, with an e, is a different word, so the last two letters really matter.
Watch out for: modle, moddal, modall
Memory tip: Modal comes from mode, the manner of doing something: modal verbs show the mode of an action. Drop the e of mode and add al.
Usage Examples
Example 1: In 'You must wear a helmet', must is a modal showing duty.
Example 2: Our worksheet asked us to underline every modal verb in the paragraph.
Example 3: Could is a polite modal, as in 'Could you pass the salt?'
Fun Fact
A modal verb never takes s in the he/she form. We say she can swim, never she cans swim.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. conjuntion 2. interjektion 3. preposision 4. modal
a) a word such as in, on or under that shows position
b) a word such as oh or wow that shows sudden feeling
c) a word such as and, but or because that joins words or clauses
d) a helping verb such as can, must or might
Show answer
d) a helping verb such as can, must or might. Modal is the only correct spelling here; the others should be conjunction, preposition and interjection.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
moddal
a) d
b) m
c) a
d) l
Show answer
a) d. Modal has one d, just like mode, the word it grew from.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Can, could and should are examples of a dmalo verb.
a) medal
b) modal
c) model
d) moral
Show answer
b) modal. The letters d, m, a, l, o make only modal, the grammar word for helping verbs like can.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is a modal verb?
a) quickly
b) happy
c) must
d) run
Show answer
c) must
2. In the question 'May I come in?', the modal shows ____.
a) asking permission
b) a place
c) a past action
d) a strong order
Show answer
a) asking permission
