--- title: "Modal Verbs and Possibility" description: "Understand and use modal verbs (can, may, must, might, shall, will, could, should, would) and modal adverbs (perhaps, surely, certainly) to indicate degrees of possibility, necessity, and permission" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/modal-verbs-and-possibility-mt_N9zffZxuu5 source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/modal-verbs-and-possibility-mt_N9zffZxuu5.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Modal Verbs and Possibility Understand and use modal verbs (can, may, must, might, shall, will, could, should, would) and modal adverbs (perhaps, surely, certainly) to indicate degrees of possibility, necessity, and permission Subject: English · Area: Grammar & Punctuation · Ages 9 to 10 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/modal-verbs-and-possibility-mt_N9zffZxuu5 ## Ready when they can - Select a modal verb to express certainty, probability, or possibility in a sentence, e.g. 'It will rain' vs 'It might rain' vs 'It could rain' - Replace a modal verb with a modal adverb to achieve a similar effect, e.g. 'He might come' → 'Perhaps he will come' - Distinguish between modals expressing permission (may, can), obligation (must, should), and possibility (might, could) in context ## Lesson: Modal Verbs: How Sure Are You? Modal verbs are small helper words like can, may, must, might, could, should, would, shall, and will. They sit before another verb and change how sure, allowed, or needed something is. *(drawing: The taller the bar, the more certain the modal verb sounds.)* **Example.** Zara checks the sky and says three things. "It will rain" means she is sure. "It might rain" means she thinks it is possible. "It could rain" also means possible, but she still is not certain either way. **Example.** A school sign says, "Students may leave early on Fridays." That means students are allowed to leave, but do not have to. Another sign says, "Students must wear a badge." That means wearing a badge is required. Modal verbs can also give advice or offer an idea. 'Should' gives advice: 'You should rest after a long run.' 'Could' offers an idea: 'We could try the new bakery.' 'Shall we' offers to do something together: 'Shall we sit by the window?' Advice is a good idea, not a strict rule like 'must'. Add 'not' to a modal verb to flip its meaning. 'You must not feed the birds' is a rule against feeding them. 'It can't be midnight' says midnight is not possible. Modal adverbs have strengths too: 'perhaps' is unsure, while 'surely' and 'certainly' are almost completely sure. **Tip.** You can often swap a modal verb for a modal adverb and keep the same meaning. "He might come" becomes "Perhaps he will come." **Recap.** Modal verbs and modal adverbs both show how sure, allowed, or required something is, so choose the one that matches what you mean. ## Practice 24 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [The Present Perfect Tense](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/the-present-perfect-tense-mt_7D-vlii8F-) - [Standard English Verbs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/standard-english-verbs-mt_ay0qkGj0jg) - [Past, Present and Progressive Tense](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/past-present-and-progressive-tense-mt_enj1sMcfOT) - [Simple Past, Present and Future](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/simple-past-present-and-future-mt_Of-WsrRQ8B) ## Opens up - [Verb Voice and Mood](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/verb-voice-and-mood-mt_N5tciHU8cE)