Discover the functions of Primary Verbs and Modal Auxiliary Verbs with this article for Class 8 and ESL learners. Learn through clear examples of verbs like ‘be,’ ‘have,’ and modals like ‘can,’ ‘should,’ and ‘must’ in sentence formation. Practice grammar concepts with engaging exercises tailored for easy learning!
Auxiliary verbs
“An auxiliary verb is a verb such as ‘be’, ‘do’, and ‘have’ used with main verbs to show tense, etc, and to form questions and negatives.” – ALD by A S Hornby
These verbs, often, cannot stand on their own.
It is impossible to frame meaningful sentences without using helping, or auxiliary, verbs.
For example,
- The car is speeding.
- They are practicing on the ground.
- Sheetal will go to the library tomorrow.
In these sentences, the highlighted verbs do not express a complete meaning. They help the main verbs (the underlined verbs) to complete the sentence’s meaning.
Auxiliary verbs are of two kinds: primary auxiliaries and modal auxiliaries.
Primary auxiliaries
The primary auxiliaries be and have are needed to help the main verbs in the present and past tenses.
The primary auxiliary do is needed to form negative and interrogative sentences in the simple present and simple past tenses, etc.
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When the verb ‘be’, ‘do’, or ‘have’ is followed by the main or the principal verb, it is an auxiliary verb. When the verb ‘be’, ‘do’, or ‘have’ occurs alone in a sentence, it becomes the principal or the main verb.
For example,
- Shalini is a wonderful artist. (be as main verb)
- Shalini is painting a landscape. (be as helping verb)
Modal auxiliaries
Modals are verbs that are used to express the mood or attitude of the speaker. They are also known as modal auxiliaries.
Purpose of Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Modal Auxiliary Verbs are used to express ability, possibility, permission, necessity, and advice. They help convey a speaker’s attitude or intention clearly.
Expressing Ability/Inability
Can, Could
| Functions | Examples |
| Can is used to express ability in the present time or in the future. | I can climb mountains. Sheila can’t come to school tomorrow. She has to go somewhere. (informal) Sheila will not be able to come to school tomorrow. (formal) Can you see the big black rock in the distance? |
| Could is the simple past form of can. It expresses ability in the past. | Could you climb a mountain when you were young? I could say the alphabet when I was one and a half years old. |
| We use be able to when using tenses other than the simple present or the simple past. For these two tenses, we use can and could. | Simple present: She is able to see us from that window. Simple past: She was able to see us from that window. Simple future: She will be able to see us from that window. Present perfect: She has been able to see us from that window. |
| To express an ability in the past, we use could or was/were able to. | My sister could play the piano when she was four and a half years old. My sister was able to play the piano when she was four and a half years old. |
| We used only was/were able to and not could to talk about someone’s ability in a specific situation in the past. | The policemen were able to rescue the little girl from the clutches of the kidnappers. |
| To describe a general ability or an ability in the past by using couldn’t and wasn’t/weren’t able to | She was so tall that she couldn’t walk through the door without bending. She was so tall that she wasn’t able to walk through the door without bending. We went to the open-air sandwich stall but we couldn’t get any sandwiches as it started raining heavily. We went to the open-air sandwich stall but we weren’t able to get any sandwiches as it started raining heavily. |
Note: Sometimes, we use ‘be able to’ to express ability in the simple present and the simple future, but we usually use ‘can’ for this purpose.
For example,
- She can embroider using different kinds of stitches.
- She is able to embroider in different kinds of stitches.
- He can’t come before 5:30 this evening. (informal)
- He won’t be able to come before 5:30 this evening. (formal)
Seeking and Granting Permission
Can, could, may
To ask someone for their permission to do something, we can use can, could, and may. Could is more polite than can, while may is more formal.
For example,
| Functions | Examples |
| To seek permission | Could I use your colour pencils? Can I use your colour pencils? May I use your colour pencils? |
To grant permission to somebody, we use can and may. We use could when there is an idea of a condition.
For example,
| Functions | Examples |
| To grant permission to somebody | You can borrow my colour pencils. You may borrow my colour pencils. You could borrow my colour pencils. (if you need them) |
When we refuse to give permission for something to somebody, we use can’t and
mayn’t.
For example,
| Functions | Examples |
| To refuse to give permission for something to somebody | You can’t borrow my colour pencils. You mayn’t borrow my colour pencils. |
Be allowed to
When we talk about rules and what is or what is not allowed, we use can, could, be allowed to. We especially use can and be allowed to when we talk about the present or the future.
For example,
| Functions | Examples |
| To talk about rules and what is or what is not allowed | You can be on leave on Monday and Wednesday. You are allowed to be on leave on Monday and Wednesday. Can I leave a little early today? |
To talk about something that was allowed or not allowed in the past, we use could.
For example,
| Functions | Examples |
| To talk about something that was allowed or not allowed in the past | I couldn’t go out till I had completed my homework when I was younger. I wasn’t allowed to go out till I had completed my home work, when I was younger. |
If we were allowed to do something particular in the past and we want to talk about that, we use was/were allowed to. We use could for general permission in the past.
For example,
| Functions | Examples |
| To talk about something we were allowed to do in the past and we want to talk about that | Smita was allowed to sleep in her elder sister’s room because it was her birthday. Smita could sleep in her elder sister’s room when she was a child. |
Making and Granting Requests
Can, Could, May, Will, Would
To request somebody to do something for us, we use can, could, will, would. But Could and would are more formal and polite.
For example,
| Functions | Examples |
| To make requests | Can you get me a pen? Will you get me a pen from the store? |
| To make formal requests | Could you hand me a pen? Would you give me a glass of water? |
We use can/could/may I when asking something from somebody. We do not use will I/would I for this.
For example,
| Functions | Examples |
| To ask something from somebody | Can I ask you a question? Could I speak to Rahim? May I use your car for a day? |
Making and Granting Offers
Shall, Will, Can, Could, Would
| Functions | Examples |
| Some of the ways to offer to do something for someone | I‘ll help you with that sum. Shall I help you with that sum? Can I help you with that sum? Could I help you with that sum? Would you like me to help you with that sum? |
Making and Taking Suggestions
| Functions | Examples |
| To make suggestions | Shall we go to Paris this autumn? Why don’t we go to Paris this autumn? How about going to Paris this autumn? We could go to Paris this autumn. |
Expressing Restriction
| Functions | Examples |
| You mustn’t go near the fire. We can’t go in such shabby clothes. You aren’t allowed to talk inside the library.. | You mustn’t go near fire. We can’t go in such shabby clothes. You aren’t allowed to talk inside the library.. |
To Give Advice to Someone or to Express Criticism
| Functions | Examples |
| We use should, ought to, had better to give advice to somebody. | With had better, we warn somebody about something that we think will/may happen immediately. |
| With had better, we warn somebody with something that we think will/may happen immediately. | You had better see a doctor. |
| To express criticism over something that we think should have happened differently in the past, we use should/ought to + have + past participle. | You should have been more cautious about your health. |
Expressing Possibility
| Functions | Examples |
| We use could, may, might to express possibility in the present and the future times. | Shabana is not in her seat. She could be in the playground. |
| In negative statements, we can use may not or might not. [We cannot, however, use couldn’t.] | Smita may not go to school tomorrow. ✔ Smita couldn’t go to school tomorrow. ✖ |
| To talk about the past, we use may/might have/could have + past participle | Shabana is not in her seat. She may have gone to the playground. |
Expressing Probability
| Functions | Examples |
| We use could, may, might to express possibility in the present and the future times. | Shabana is not in her seat. She could be in the playground. |
| We use ought to refer to something that is possible or probable in the present or the future time. | Shradhha ought to be at the cinema by now. |
| We use should/ought to + have +past participle to refer to something that was possible or was expected to take place in the past. | The flight ought to have landed an hour ago. |
Primary and Modal Auxiliary Verbs Worksheet
Practice Primary and Modal Auxiliary Verbs with this worksheet designed for ESL learners and Class 8 students. Includes engaging exercises to master grammar!
Worksheet 1
A. Complete the sentences with the correct form of be able to.
1. The recital was so slow, that we _____ hardly _____ keep up through its entire length.
2. Fiona _____ play chess when she was just six.
3. Would you _____ help me with my science project tomorrow?
4. Ria _____ get into the room after breaking the door down.
5. We _____ attend your graduation ceremony as Grandad is not very well.
6. Our cook didn’t turn up, but we _____ for ourselves. cook a decent meal.
Worksheet 2
B. Complete the sentences with could/couldn’t, was/were able to, wasn’t/weren’t able to. In some sentences, more than one answer is possible.
1. I _____bat well even though I was so untrained.
2. Sumit _____ do the sums because he hadn’t practiced them at all.
3. We _____ get away with the mischief because our Principal was travelling.
4. Dia spoke so loudly that I _____ hear the news at all.
5. The little child _____ recite all the rhymes in the book.
Worksheet 3
C. Rewrite the sentences with the correct form of the words given in the brackets.
1. We are allowed to go home early. (can)
2. Can I use your pencil for a second? (allowed)
3. One isn’t allowed to enter the restaurant with food from outside. (can’t)
4. One isn’t allowed to use cell phones on an aeroplane. (can’t)
5. We can’t take food for the animals in the zoo. (allowed)
6. You can start writing your exams now. (allowed)
Worksheet 4
D. Make requests for the given situations.
1. Request your friend to make a sandwich for you as you are very hungry.
2. You have booked a cab and it has arrived but you need to finish packing. Ask the cab driver to wait for five minutes.
3. You want to sleep but your neighbour is listening to loud music upstairs. Request him to reduce the volume of the music system.
4. You are late in coming into school. Request your class teacher to allow you to attend classes.
5. You are going to attend a concert that will get you late for home by an hour. Request Mum and Dad to allow you to go to the concert.
Worksheet 5
E. Complete the sentences with Shall I or I will/I’ll and a verb from the box.
unscrew, carry, open, make, help, switch on
1. A: It’s screwed on really tightly.
B:
2. A: I can’t complete all this homework.
B:.
3. A: I’m really very hungry.
B:
4. A: This suitcase is very heavy.
B:
5. A: It’s really warm in here.
B:
6. A: I don’t have the energy to go and open the door.
B:
Worksheet 6
F. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb given in the brackets.
Fahaad: It’s raining so hard. What about a) _____ (stay) in for dinner today instead of going out?
Deepti: Yes, that’s a good idea. Shall we b) _____ (order) some sandwiches from Sandwich Factory?
Fahaad: We c) _____ also d) _____ (make) some noodles at home.
Deepti: That’s right. In any case, we make better noodles than anybody around
here! How about e) _____ (chop) the vegetables for the dish while I boil the noodles?
Fahaad: And what about f) _____ (make) some soup to go with it?
Deepti: Why don’t we also g) _____ (stir-fry) some chicken as a side dish?
Fahaad: Yeah, that’s a great idea!
Worksheet 7
G. Tick the correct sentences. For the incorrect ones, identify the extra word and write it in the space given.
1. I have to go to work early tomorrow.
2. You don’t have got to go out in the rain without an umbrella. You will get drenched.
3. Are we allowed come in here at this hour? will wear for
4. You don’t need to worry about what you the party on tomorrow. I have got something for you.
5. I can’t to see that far in the distance.
Worksheet 8
H. Complete the sentences with should/shouldn’t, ought/oughtn’t.
The doctor says that you 1) ______ drink at least twelve glasses of water every day. She also says that you 2) ______drink aerated drinks or eat junk food. You have grown obese and you will continue to grow more obese if you don’t change your lifestyle immediately and you 3) ______ stay awake till late in the night, nor 4) ______ you sleep in till late in the day. You 5) ______ adopt healthy timings and live by them.
Worksheet 9
I. Respond to these statements using the prompts along with had better.
1. not/be/late/for/concert
2. you/have a cold/don’t step out/today
3. hurry/or/miss/the/flight
4. call/the vet/Simba/doesn’t/look/well
5. be/careful/with/the vase
Worksheet 10
J. Rewrite the sentences in your notebooks using the words given in brackets.
1. He’s probably sleeping. (could)
2. Perhaps Granny will give me the bicycle I want for my birthday. (might)
3. Perhaps he misspelt Srilata’s name on the form. (could)
4. Perhaps he missed the flight. (could)
5. Perhaps they’ll listen to our advice. (may)
6. Perhaps Deepak has told Ritika about the incident. (might)
Worksheet 11
K. The following paragraph has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Identify the error, write it, and its correction.
1. She can drive a car when she was sixteen years old. i.
2. However, she mayn’t drive till she was eighteen. ii.
3. One day, she told her mother that she can drive iii.
4. and she could, and left home in the car. iv.
5. Her mother can do nothing as she whizzed past her. V.
Worksheet 12
L. Fill in the blanks by choosing the appropriate modals.
1. We _______ go out and finish the match once the rain stops. (might/have to)
2. I _______ get up early tomorrow because I have to leave early. (must/have to)
3. _______ they be travelling to that country at a time like this? (Should/Might)
4. Drivers who overtake from the left _______ know better. (could/should)
5. _______ I wear my new dress now, or _______ I save it for the party? (Should/Might; do/should)
6. “The new student _______ feel shy while speaking in front of the whole class,’ said the teacher. (should/might)
7. Little children _______ be careful of strangers. (may/must)
8. The shopkeeper said, ‘I _______be able to help you, if you _______ first let me know exactly what it is that you are looking for. (might/can; should/could)
9. If _______I _______ like to ask you for your autograph, said the young boy to the famous actor. (be allowed to/am allowed to; could/would)
10. Rani said that we _______ carry blankets with us; she _______ also lend us some. (have to/should; could/would)
11. Try and guess. Your mother _______ given you some hint. (might have/should have)
12. You _______ be sceptical, but we _______ be in for some very bad weather soon. (should/might; should/might)
13. You _______ have helped the poor man, you know! (should/might)
14. I’m sorry, but I _______ meet you only after eleven. (have to/would be able to)
15. I knew it! He _______ have listened to me. I kept telling him, but he simply didn’t listen! (may/should)
16. _______ you kindly pass the salt cellar, please? We _______ be very grateful. (Should/Could; should/would)
Primary and Modal Auxiliary Verbs Worksheet Answers
Find accurate answers to the Primary and Modal Auxiliary Verbs Worksheet. Enhance understanding with clear solutions for ESL learners and Class 8 students!
Answer 1
1. The recital was so slow, that we were hardly able to keep up through its entire length.
2. Fiona was able to play chess when she was just six.
3. Would you be able to help me with my science project tomorrow?
4. Ria was able to get into the room after breaking the door down.
5. We won’t be able to attend your graduation ceremony as Grandad is not very well.
6. Our cook didn’t turn up, but we were able to cook a decent meal for ourselves.
Answer 2
1. I could bat well even though I was so untrained.
2. Sumit couldn’t do the sums because he hadn’t practiced them at all.
3. We were able to get away with the mischief because our Principal was travelling. (could is also possible)
4. Dia spoke so loudly that I couldn’t hear the news at all.
5. The little child was able to recite all the rhymes in the book. (could is also possible)
Answer 3
1. We can go home early.
2. Am I allowed to use your pencil for a second?
3. One can’t enter the restaurant with food from outside.
4. One can’t use cell phones on an aeroplane.
5. We aren’t allowed to take food for the animals in the zoo.
6. You are allowed to start writing your exams now.
Answer 4
1. Friend: Could you please make a sandwich for me? I’m really hungry.
2. Cab Driver: Would you mind waiting for five more minutes? I just need to finish packing.
3. Neighbour: Could you please reduce the volume of your music? I’m trying to sleep.
4. Class Teacher: May I attend the class, please? I’m sorry for being late.
5. Mum and Dad: Could you please allow me to go to the concert? I’ll only be an hour late.
Answer 5
A: It’s screwed on really tightly.
B: Shall I unscrew it for you?
A: I can’t complete all this homework.
B: I’ll help you with it.
A: I’m really very hungry.
B: I’ll make you something to eat.
A: This suitcase is very heavy.
B: I’ll carry it for you.
A: It’s really warm in here.
B: Shall I switch on the fan?
A: I don’t have the energy to go and open the door.
B: Shall I open it for you?
Answer 6
Fahaad: It’s raining so hard. What about a) staying in for dinner today instead of going out?
Deepti: Yes, that’s a good idea. Shall we b) order some sandwiches from Sandwich Factory?
Fahaad: We c) could also d) make some noodles at home.
Deepti: That’s right. In any case, we make better noodles than anybody around here! How about e) chopping the vegetables for the dish while I boil the noodles?
Fahaad: And what about f) making some soup to go with it?
Deepti: Why don’t we also g) stir-fry some chicken as a side dish?
Fahaad: Yeah, that’s a great idea!
Answer 7
1. ✔ Correct
2. You don’t have got to go out in the rain without an umbrella. You will get drenched.
Extra word: “got”
3. Are we allowed to come in here at this hour?
Extra word: “will”
4. You don’t need to worry about what you will wear for the party on tomorrow. I have got something for you.
Extra word: “the”
5. I can’t see that far in the distance.
Extra word: “to”
Answer 8
1. should drink at least twelve glasses of water every day.
2. shouldn’t drink aerated drinks or eat junk food.
3. shouldn’t stay awake till late in the night, nor
4. oughtn’t you sleep in till late in the day.
5. should adopt healthy timings and live by them.
Answer 9
1. You had better not be late for the concert.
2. You had better not step out today if you have a cold.
3. You had better hurry, or you’ll miss the flight.
4. You had better call the vet if Simba doesn’t look well.
5. You had better be careful with the vase.
Answer 10
1. He could be sleeping.
2. Granny might give me the bicycle I want for my birthday.
3. He could have misspelled Srilata’s name on the form.
4. He could have missed the flight.
5. They may listen to our advice.
6. Deepak might have told Ritika about the incident.
Answer 11
1. Error: when she was sixteen years old.
Correction: She could drive a car when she was sixteen years old.
2. Error: she mayn’t drive till she was eighteen.
Correction: she couldn’t drive till she was eighteen.
3. Error: that she can drive
Correction: that she could drive
4. Error: and she could, and left home in the car.
Correction: and she did, and left home in the car.
5. Error: Her mother can do nothing as she whizzed past her.
Correction: Her mother could do nothing as she whizzed past her.
Answer 12
1. We might go out and finish the match once the rain stops.
2. I have to get up early tomorrow because I have to leave early.
3. Should they be travelling to that country at a time like this?
4. Drivers who overtake from the left should know better.
5. Should I wear my new dress now, or should I save it for the party?
6. “The new student might feel shy while speaking in front of the whole class,” said the teacher.
7. Little children must be careful of strangers.
8. The shopkeeper said, “I might be able to help you, if you could first let me know exactly what it is that you are looking for.”
9. “If I could like to ask you for your autograph,” said the young boy to the famous actor.
10. Rani said that we have to carry blankets with us; she could also lend us some.
11. Try and guess. Your mother might have given you some hint.
12. You might be sceptical, but we might be in for some very bad weather soon.
13. You should have helped the poor man, you know!
14. I’m sorry, but I would be able to meet you only after eleven.
15. I knew it! He should have listened to me. I kept telling him, but he simply didn’t listen!
16. Could you kindly pass the salt cellar, please? We would be very grateful.
