Modals

ये grammar का बहुत important हिस्सा हैं और mainly possibility, ability, necessity, obligation, permission, certainty आदि को व्यक्त करते हैं।

Modals List & Explanation
1. Can – सकता है / सकती है
Use: Ability (क्षमता), Permission (अनुमति)
Examples:I can swim. → मैं तैर सकता हूँ।
Can I use your pen? → क्या मैं आपका पेन इस्तेमाल कर सकता हूँ?

2. Could – सकता था / सकता है (संभावना)
Use: Past ability, Polite request, Possibility
Examples:When I was young, I could run fast. → जब मैं छोटा था, तब मैं तेज़ दौड़ सकता था।
Could you help me? → क्या आप मेरी मदद कर सकते हैं?

3. May – सकता है / हो सकता है
Use: Permission, Possibility, Wish
Examples:May I come in? → क्या मैं अंदर आ सकता हूँ?
It may rain today. → आज बारिश हो सकती है।

4. Might – सकता था / शायद
Use: Less Possibility, Suggestion
Examples:He might be at home. → वह घर पर हो सकता है।
You might try again. → तुम फिर कोशिश कर सकते हो।

5. Shall – करूंगा / करेंगे
Use: Future (formal), Suggestion, Offer
Examples:We shall overcome. → हम जीतेंगे।
Shall I open the window? → क्या मैं खिड़की खोल दूँ?

6. Should – चाहिए / करना चाहिए
Use: Advice, Duty, Probability
Examples:You should study hard. → तुम्हें कड़ी मेहनत करनी चाहिए।
He should be at school now. → वह अभी स्कूल में होना चाहिए।

7. Will – करेगा / करेंगे
Use: Future, Determination
Examples:I will help you. → मैं तुम्हारी मदद करूंगा।
She will come tomorrow. → वह कल आएगी।

8. Would – करता / करते थे, करता होगा
Use: Past habit, Polite request, Conditional
Examples:When I was a child, I would play cricket every day. → जब मैं बच्चा था, मैं रोज़ क्रिकेट खेला करता था।
Would you like some tea? → क्या आपको चाय पसंद होगी?

9. Must – ज़रूर / करना ही होगा
Use: Necessity, Strong obligation, Deduction
Examples:You must wear a helmet. → तुम्हें हेलमेट पहनना ही होगा।
He must be tired. → वह ज़रूर थका हुआ होगा।

10. Ought to – करना चाहिए
Use: Moral duty, Advice
Examples:You ought to respect your parents. → तुम्हें अपने माता-पिता का सम्मान करना चाहिए।

11. Need – आवश्यकता होना / ज़रूरत होना
Use: Necessity (mostly in negative/interrogative)
Examples:You need not worry. → तुम्हें चिंता करने की ज़रूरत नहीं है।
Need I say more? → क्या मुझे और कहना ज़रूरी है?

12. Dare – साहस होना
Use: Challenge, Negatives mostly
Examples:He dare not speak against his boss. → वह अपने बॉस के खिलाफ बोलने की हिम्मत नहीं करता।
How dare you say this? → तुम्हारी हिम्मत कैसे हुई यह कहने की?

MODALS (Detailed with Categories)

1. Ability (क्षमता) → Can / Could / Be able to

• Can = Present ability (वर्तमान क्षमता)
  • She can play the piano beautifully.
  • वह बहुत अच्छे से पियानो बजा सकती है।
• Could = Past ability (भूतकाल की क्षमता)
  • When I was young, I could run very fast.
  • जब मैं छोटा था, मैं बहुत तेज़ दौड़ सकता था।
• Be able to = जब “can” का प्रयोग possible नहीं होता (Future / Perfect tense / Other modals के साथ)
  • I will be able to start the project next week. (Future)
    → मैं अगले हफ्ते प्रोजेक्ट शुरू कर पाऊँगा।
  • I haven’t been able to sleep lately. (Present Perfect)
    → मैं हाल ही में सो नहीं पाया हूँ।
  • He might be able to fix it. (With another modal)
    → वह शायद इसे ठीक कर पाएगा।

2. Permission (अनुमति) → Can / Could / May

• Can = Informal permission
  • Can I use your bathroom? → क्या मैं आपका बाथरूम इस्तेमाल कर सकता हूँ?
• Could = Polite permission
  • Could I ask you a question? → क्या मैं आपसे एक सवाल पूछ सकता हूँ?
• May = Formal permission
  • You may begin the exam now. → आप अब परीक्षा शुरू कर सकते हैं।
  • May I make a suggestion? → क्या मैं एक सुझाव दे सकता हूँ?

3. Possibility (संभावना) → May / Might / Could

• May = Strong possibility (लगभग 50% chance)
  • Take an umbrella, it may rain. → छाता ले लो, बारिश हो सकती है।
• Might = Weaker / uncertain possibility (कमज़ोर संभावना)
  • I might order pizza tonight. → हो सकता है मैं आज पिज्ज़ा मँगवाऊँ।
• Could = General possibility (किसी के लिए संभव है)
  • Anybody could learn to code with practice. → कोई भी अभ्यास से कोडिंग सीख सकता है।

⚡ Past Possibility:

• He might have missed the bus. → उसने शायद बस मिस कर दी होगी।

4. Advice & Obligation (सलाह और बाध्यता) → Should / Ought to / Must / Have to

• Should / Ought to = Advice
  • You should get some rest. → तुम्हें आराम करना चाहिए।
  • You ought to be more careful. → तुम्हें और सावधान रहना चाहिए।
• Must = Strong obligation (self-rule, ज़रूरी)
  • I must call my mom. → मुझे माँ को ज़रूर कॉल करना है।
• Have to = External rule / law
  • I have to wear a uniform at work. → मुझे काम पर यूनिफॉर्म पहननी पड़ती है।

⚡ Difference:

• Mustn’t = Forbidden (निषेध)
  • You mustn’t smoke here. → यहाँ धूम्रपान करना मना है।
• Don’t have to = Not necessary (ज़रूरी नहीं)
  • You don’t have to come if you’re tired. → अगर तुम थके हो तो आने की ज़रूरत नहीं है।

5. Deduction (तार्किक निष्कर्ष) → Must / Can’t

• Must = Almost sure (positive conclusion)
  • You must be exhausted. → तुम ज़रूर थके हुए होगे।
• Can’t = Almost sure (negative conclusion)
  • He can’t be in Paris, I just saw him. → वह पेरिस में नहीं हो सकता, मैंने उसे अभी देखा है।

6. Requests & Offers (अनुरोध और ऑफर) → Can / Could / Would / Will / Shall

• Can you…? → Informal request
• Could you…? → Polite request
• Would you…? → Very polite request
• Will you…? → Direct request
• Shall I/we…? → Offer/Suggestion

✔ Examples:

• Could you open the window, please? → क्या आप खिड़की खोल देंगे?
• Shall I help you with your bags? → क्या मैं आपके बैग उठाने में मदद करूँ?

7. Future & Promises (भविष्य और वादे) → Will / Shall

• Will = Future, promise, prediction, instant decision
  • I think it will rain tomorrow. → मुझे लगता है कल बारिश होगी।
  • I’ll get the phone! → मैं फोन उठाता हूँ!
• Shall = Offers, suggestions (formal, BrE)
  • Shall we go for a walk? → क्या हम टहलने चलें?

8. Hypotheticals & Conditionals (काल्पनिक और शर्तें) → Would

• Would in conditionals:
  • I would buy a car if I had money. → अगर मेरे पास पैसे होते तो मैं गाड़ी खरीदता।
• Would for past habit:
  • We would visit grandma every Sunday. → हम हर रविवार दादी के पास जाया करते थे।
• Would for polite requests:
  • Would you like some tea? → क्या आप चाय लेंगे?

Past Forms with Modals (भूतकाल रूप)

👉 Structure = Modal + have + Past Participle

• Could have → Missed opportunity
  • I could have won the match, but I made a mistake.
  • मैं मैच जीत सकता था, लेकिन मुझसे गलती हो गई।
• Would have → Hypothetical past (Third conditional)
  • I would have called you if I had your number.
  • अगर मेरे पास तुम्हारा नंबर होता तो मैं कॉल करता।
• Should have / Ought to have → Regret / Criticism
  • You should have studied harder.
  • तुम्हें और मेहनत से पढ़ना चाहिए था।
• Might have / May have → Past possibility
  • She might have forgotten the meeting.
  • उसने शायद मीटिंग भूल गई होगी।
• Must have → Logical conclusion about past
  • The ground is wet, it must have rained last night.
  • ज़मीन गीली है, ज़रूर कल रात बारिश हुई होगी।

• Class 6th–7th: Easy fill-ups / matching
• Class 8th: Fill-ups + short answers
• Class 9th–10th: Application-based (rewrite, correct, short notes)

✦ Modals Test Paper

Class 6th

Q.1 Fill in the blanks with correct modals (can, may, must):

1. I ___ swim very well.
2. You ___ not run on the road.
3. ___ I use your pencil?

Q.2 Match the column:
A. Can → ( ) Possibility
B. Must → ( ) Ability
C. May → ( ) Necessity

Class 7th

Q.1 Choose the correct option:

1. Riya is sick. She ___ go to the doctor.
   (a) may (b) should (c) can
2. You ___ not smoke here.
   (a) should (b) must (c) mustn’t
3. When I was young, I ___ climb trees.
   (a) could (b) can (c) will

Q.2 Rewrite the sentences using correct modal:

1. You (mustn’t / don’t have to) tell lies.
2. We (may / might) go to a picnic tomorrow.

Class 8th

Q.1 Fill in the blanks:

1. You look tired. You ___ take rest.
2. I ___ solve this sum yesterday. (past ability)
3. He ___ be at school now. (deduction)

Q.2 Answer in one sentence:

1. Write one sentence using ‘would’ to show habit.
2. Write one sentence using ‘might’ to show possibility.

Q.3 Correct the sentences:

1. You must to obey your parents.
2. She cans sing very well.

Class 9th

Q.1 Complete the sentences with suitable modals:

1. He ___ be in his room. (certainty)
2. You ___ not park your car here. (prohibition)
3. If I had money, I ___ buy a new phone. (conditional)

Q.2 Rewrite using modals (past form):

1. It is possible that she forgot her homework.
   → She ___ have forgotten her homework.
2. It was necessary for me to wear a uniform.
   → I ___ wear a uniform.

Q.3 Short Notes (2–3 lines):
Explain the difference between mustn’t and don’t have to with example.

Class 10th

Q.1 Fill with correct modals:

1. You ___ respect your elders. (moral duty)
2. He ___ be the topper; he studies day and night. (strong deduction)
3. I ___ call you if I had known your number. (conditional past)

Q.2 Do as directed:

1. Change into past possibility:
   • “She may be at the station.”
2. Correct the error:
   • “He can sings very nicely.”
3. Rewrite with a different modal:
   • “You must finish this work today.” (use ‘have to’)

Q.3 Long Answer (4–5 lines):
Explain with examples the use of:

• Should / Ought to (advice)
• Must / Have to (obligation)

✦ Answer Key: Modals Test Paper

Class 6th

Q.1 Fill in the blanks:

1. I can swim very well.
2. You must not run on the road.
3. May I use your pencil?

Q.2 Match the column:

• A. Can → Ability
• B. Must → Necessity
• C. May → Possibility

Class 7th

Q.1 Choose the correct option:

1. Riya is sick. She should go to the doctor.
2. You mustn’t smoke here.
3. When I was young, I could climb trees.

Q.2 Rewrite:

1. You mustn’t tell lies.
2. We may go to a picnic tomorrow.

Class 8th

Q.1 Fill in the blanks:

1. You look tired. You should take rest.
2. I could solve this sum yesterday.
3. He must be at school now.

Q.2 One sentence:

1. Would (habit): When I was a child, I would play outside every day.
2. Might (possibility): It might rain today.

Q.3 Correct the sentences:

1. You must obey your parents. ✅
2. She can sing very well. ✅

Class 9th

Q.1 Complete the sentences:

1. He must be in his room.
2. You must not park your car here.
3. If I had money, I would buy a new phone.

Q.2 Rewrite using past forms:

1. She might have forgotten her homework.
2. I had to wear a uniform.

Q.3 Short Notes:

• Mustn’t = Prohibition (forbidden) → You mustn’t cheat in exams.
• Don’t have to = Lack of necessity → You don’t have to come if you are busy.

Class 10th

Q.1 Fill in the blanks:

1. You ought to respect your elders.
2. He must be the topper; he studies day and night.
3. I would have called you if I had known your number.

Q.2 Do as directed:

1. Change into past possibility:
   • “She may be at the station.” → She might have been at the station.
2. Correct the error:
   • “He can sings very nicely.” → He can sing very nicely.
3. Rewrite with a different modal:
   • “You must finish this work today.” → You have to finish this work today.

Q.3 Long Answer (sample):

• Should / Ought to → Both are used for advice or moral duty.
  • Example: You should/ought to help the poor.
• Must / Have to → Both show strong obligation.
  • Must = personal necessity → I must study for my exam.
  • Have to = external rule/law → We have to follow traffic rules.

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