Choose the Modal Verb

Year 5 EnglishModal Verbs3 pages

About this worksheet

Modal verbs for Year 5, over two pages plus an answer key. Page 1 gives a word bank of nine modal verbs, from must and may to would and shall. Pupils fill ten gaps, each with a clue in brackets such as (it is a rule), (a possibility) or (a polite offer). Page 2 asks for the difference between can and may, then for one sentence with should and one with must. The key lists alternatives that also fit, such as might, may or could for the rainbow sentence. It follows England National Curriculum grammar for Year 5.

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Choose the Modal Verb: Modal Verbs - page 1

Choose the Modal Verb: Modal Verbs - page 2

Choose the Modal Verb: Modal Verbs - page 3

Curriculum objectives covered

Writing - vocabulary, grammar and punctuation

“Indicating degrees of possibility using adverbs [for example, perhaps, surely] or modal verbs [for example, might, should, will, must]”

Pupils pick from nine modal verbs to match meanings such as a rule, a possibility, advice and a certainty in the future.

What's inside this worksheet

Choose the Modal Verb

Ten sentences with a gap, such as You ___ wear a seatbelt in the car and ___ I borrow your pencil, please? Each has a meaning in brackets, from (ability in the past) to (a certainty in the future).

Using Modal Verbs

Question 1 asks for the difference between can and may. Questions 2 and 3 ask for a sentence with should to give advice and a sentence with must for a rule, with lines to write on.

Answers

One answer for each gap, with alternatives where more than one verb fits, and sample sentences for questions 2 and 3.

How teachers use it

Grammar starter

Read the clues for items 4 and 5 aloud and ask pupils to choose between might and should before they write. Then let them fill the other gaps alone.

Talk about can and may

Use question 1 on page 2 as a talk task. Pupils often say the two words mean the same, so ask for a classroom example of each, such as asking to borrow a pencil.

Cover work or homework

The sheet needs no equipment and the key lists accepted alternatives, so a supply teacher or a parent can mark it.

More Year 5 English worksheets

Reading Comprehension Writing Spelling Grammar and Punctuation Relative Clauses

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