Ace Modals in Class 7 English Grammar with Practical Examples and PDF for 2025-26 Exam Preparation
In today's lesson, We will learn what modals are and their usage. The mode of action indicated by the primary verb is expressed by modals, which are called auxiliary verbs or helping verbs. Through this article let’s learn more about these helping verbs along with examples and practice questions.
English Grammar
A unique kind of verb is a modal verb. In a sentence, modal verbs modify or influence other verbs. They can be used to demonstrate potential, denote skill, demonstrate responsibility, or grant authorization. When compared to "regular" verbs, modal verbs behave differently.
Can, could, may, might, would, and should are some examples of modal verbs.
Modal Verbs
When compared to "regular" verbs, modal verbs behave differently.
Some of them are
Will
Would
Should
Could
May
Can
Shall
Must
Might
Ought to
Modals Verbs
Although the ones mentioned above are the most typical, there are other modal verbs. While certain modal verbs, like got to, need to, and have to, are more informal, others, like shall and ought to, are archaic and hardly used. Some use highly specific, seldom expressions, such as "I dare say," to explain their situations. Like a modal verb, the word used to, as in "I used to be an English student, too," also has certain properties.
When do you apply modal verbs?
Likelihood
Possibility
Ability
Asking Permission
Request
Suggestion/Advice
Command
Obligation or Necessity
Habit
Likelihood
We don't know for sure, but some things appear possible. The modal verbs should and must can be used in certain situations to indicate likelihood without certainty.
Possibility
Use the modal verbs could, may, or could when something is conceivable but uncertain. Example: It might rain today.
She may become a great singer
Ability
The modal verb can indicate whether or not the subject is able to carry out an activity or display a skill. The negative form, cannot or can't, similarly indicates that the subject is unable to perform an action.
Example: She can speak many languages.
You can lead a battalion.
Asking Permission
Use the words "can," "may," or "could" at the beginning of your query if you wish to request permission. Traditionally, may is preferred for permission. (However, when discussing possibility or authorization in modern use, may and can are also completely valid possibilities.)
Example: May I leave? Could I play too?
Request
In a similar spirit, if you want to request anything from another person, begin your request with either will, would, can, or could.
Example: Would you get that box?
Will you turn that music down?
Suggestion/Advice
What if you only want to urge someone to do something? You can use the modal word should if you're offering suggestions or advice without telling someone what to do. Example: You should try the Manakish.
That girl should wear less perfume.
Command
Use the modal verbs must, have to, or need to, on the other hand, if you want to command someone.
Example: You need to come home.
Obligation or Necessity
An essential activity, such as an obligation, responsibility, or requirement, can be expressed with a modal verb. The negative form conveys that an activity is not required. Use the same modal verbs—must, have to, or need to—as you would with instructions. Example: We have to wait for her to open this.
Habit
You can use the modal verbs would for the past tense and will for the present and future to indicate an ongoing or habitual action—something the subject does frequently. When referring to a habit that no longer exists, you can use the expression used to.
Example: I would fall asleep with the music turned on.
Modal Verbs
How to use Modal Verbs?
Thankfully, it's not too difficult to use modal verbs in sentences. Just keep in mind these guidelines for simple present-tense sentences:
Modal verbs are usually placed before the primary verb (except for questions).
Use the main verb's infinitive form without the preposition "to" when the verb is modal.
The infinitive form of the primary verb is still used in questions, although the order is slightly different: Modal verb+Subject+Main verb.
The majority of modal verbs are in the present tense since they typically refer to hypothetical or broad scenarios that haven't really occurred. Let's speak a little about how to assemble them since some of them can be used in several verb tenses.
Modal Verbs
Difficult Words and Meaning
Practice Questions
Choose the answer
1. You are late. You ……………….. hurry.
(a) can (b) must
(c) will (d) May
2. “……………….. I have a piece of cake, please?” I asked.
(a) Shall (b) May
(c) Will (d) Must
3. I wish I ……………….. be as intelligent as Einstein.
(a) must (b) could
(c) should (d) shall
4. That plug is faulty. You ……………….. touch it.
(a) mustn’t (b) needn’t
(c) couldn’t (d) won’t
5. Don’t listen to everything he says. He ……………….. be wrong.
(a) shall (b) can
(c) must (d) need
Answers:
1. The correct answer is option(b) must
You are late. You must hurry.
2. The correct answer is option (b) May
“May I have a piece of cake, please?” I asked.
3. The correct answer is option (b) could
I wish I could be as intelligent as Einstein.
4. The correct answer is option (b) May
That plug is faulty. You may touch it.
5. The correct answer is option (a) can
Don’t listen to everything he says. He can be wrong.
Benefits of Learning Modals for Class 7
It is very important to know the use of modals in English grammar as these verbs are widely used in the English language.
Modal verbs are used in a sentence to create nuances of expression.
Some of the modal verbs are the verbs that are used to express politeness while proposing a suggestion or asking a question.
Examples of Modals Class 7
I can play the flute.
She must come to tomorrow’s class.
You should not skip school.
The train might get delayed because of the heavy rainfall.
Facts About Modals Class 7
Use of Modals in English Grammar
Modal: Can
Modal: Must
Modal: Might
Modals: Could
Modals: Will
Modals: Would
Modals: Shall
Modals: May not
Modals: Ought to
Modals: Need to
Important Topics of Class 7 English Grammar Modals
In this chapter, you will learn:
What are modals in English grammar?
Use of modals in English grammar
Practising modals exercises for Class 7 CBSE with answers
Conclusion
English has many modal verbs, and you've probably encountered them hundreds of times without realising what they are called. Modals are unique verbs that differ from regular verbs in several ways. The modal verbs are employed to communicate capacity, potential, authorization, or duty. One or more of these modalities can be expressed using any of the modal verbs. They can also be used to create conditional sentences and the English future tense. They are never used alone; a primary verb is always used after them. They offer further specifics regarding the main verb. They can be used to convey confidence, potential, readiness, duty, obligation, necessity, and aptitude.
The Free PDF is best for taking modal notes for Class 7 students. All modal verbs and their usage are briefly introduced in the PDF with many examples. The modals exercises for Class 7 in the PDF will be very helpful for your kids to practice the chapter after reading the explanations. You can use this PDF as the worksheet on modals for Class 7 and make their learning more fun-filling and easy.
Our main goal is to provide as many free study resources to the school students as possible. All our study materials are based solely on NCERT textbooks, and we try to cover all the chapters. You can also get the NCERT book links from our website.
FAQs on Class 7 English Grammar Modals: Concepts, Uses & PDF
1. What are modals and what types of important questions are asked from this topic in the Class 7 English exam?
Modals, or modal auxiliary verbs, are special verbs that indicate modality (likelihood, ability, permission, request, capacity, suggestion, order, obligation, or advice). For the Class 7 exam, you can expect important questions in formats like:
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate modal verb.
Choosing the correct modal from a set of options (MCQs).
Rewriting sentences using a specific modal to change its meaning.
Identifying the function of a modal in a given sentence (e.g., is it showing ability, permission, or advice?).
2. What are some important rules to remember for using modals correctly to score well in exams?
To avoid common mistakes in your exam, remember these key rules:
A modal verb is always followed by the base form of the main verb (e.g., 'She can sing,' not 'She can sings').
Modal verbs do not change their form based on the subject (e.g., 'He can,' not 'He cans').
To make a question, you invert the modal and the subject (e.g., 'Can you help?').
To make a sentence negative, you add 'not' after the modal verb (e.g., 'You should not go.').
3. How do you correctly use 'must' and 'should' to answer questions on obligation and advice?
Understanding the difference is crucial for important questions on this topic. 'Must' expresses a strong obligation or necessity, often a rule or a command (e.g., 'You must wear your school uniform.'). In contrast, 'should' is used to give advice or make a recommendation. It is not as strong as 'must' (e.g., 'You should study regularly to get good marks.').
4. What is the key difference between using 'may' and 'can' for asking permission? Which is more appropriate for school exams?
This is a common point of confusion. While both can be used for permission, 'may' is considered more formal and polite. For example, 'May I come in, sir?'. 'Can' is more informal and is also used to show ability. In an exam context, especially in formal writing or reported speech questions, using 'may' for seeking permission is often considered the more grammatically precise choice.
5. Why is it incorrect to use 'to' after most modal verbs? Explain with an example.
This is a fundamental rule that is often tested. Most modal verbs like can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, and must are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb without 'to'. The modal itself contains the sense of direction or purpose. For example, the correct sentence is 'I must finish my homework,' not 'I must to finish my homework.' The only exceptions are semi-modals like 'ought to' or 'have to'.
6. How can a student identify whether 'could' is being used to show past ability or a polite request?
The context of the sentence is the most important clue. If the sentence describes an action someone was able to do in the past, it indicates past ability (e.g., 'When I was young, I could run very fast.'). If the sentence is a question asking someone to do something, it is a polite request (e.g., 'Could you please pass the book?'). Questions about identifying function are frequently asked in exams.
7. What is a good strategy to tackle important questions on modals for the CBSE Class 7 exam (2025-26)?
To score full marks on questions about modals, follow this strategy:
First, read the entire sentence to understand its context and intent (Is it a request, an order, a possibility, or advice?).
Associate each modal with its primary functions (e.g., can = ability, may = permission, must = obligation, should = advice).
Practise with fill-in-the-blanks and MCQ-style questions, as these are common formats.
Pay close attention to negative modals like 'mustn't' (prohibition) versus 'needn't' (no necessity), as these can be tricky.
