Advanced Grammar for IELTS: Modal Verbs (1) : Can, Could, May, Might, Be able to

While the IELTS exam doesn’t have a dedicated grammar section, strong grammar skills are essential for scoring well in all four modules: IELTS Listening, IELTS Reading, IELTS Writing, and IELTS Speaking. Among the most important grammatical concepts are modal verbs, which express ideas like possibility, ability, permission, and certainty. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into modal verbs (can, could, may, might, and be able to), providing you with a diagnostic test, detailed explanations, and practice exercises to help you master this crucial aspect of IELTS Grammar.

Want to learn what to avoid in terms of Grammar errors in IELTS Speaking? Check out the video now!

Why Are Modal Verbs Important for IELTS?

Modal verbs are helping verbs that add nuance to your sentences. They are particularly important for IELTS Writing Task 2 and Speaking, where you need to express ideas clearly and accurately. Using modal verbs correctly can significantly improve your grammar score and help you achieve a higher IELTS Band Score.

What Are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are used to express:

• Possibility (e.g., It may rain tomorrow.)
• Ability (e.g., She can speak French fluently.)
• Permission (e.g., Can I use your phone?)
• Requests (e.g., Could you help me with this?)
• Certainty (e.g., They must be at home.)

Here’s a quick overview of common modal verbs and their uses:

These modal verbs are mainly used for academic writing task 2. You must know where to use these modal verbs, in order to get a better IELTS band score in the exam.

Modal Verbs: Can, Could, May, Might, and Be Able To

Here's a detailed overview with example sentences on the Modal Verbs: can, could, may, might, be able to,:

1. Can – Ability and Permission

• Ability: "I can speak three languages."
• Permission: "Can I leave early today?"
  "Can" expresses present ability and requests or grants permission. It’s useful in daily conversations for describing capabilities and asking for permission.
• Example Sentences: I can understand complex texts.

2. Could – Polite Requests and Past Ability

• Past Ability: "I could swim as a child."
• Polite Requests: "Could you help me?"
  "Could" is used for past abilities and polite requests, making it softer than "can" in formal situations.
• Example Sentences: I could play piano when younger.

3. May – Permission and Possibility

• Permission: "May I use your phone?"
• Possibility: "It may rain later."
  "May" requests permission in formal contexts and indicates possibility, often used in academic writing.
• Example Sentences: May I ask a question?

4. Might – Uncertainty and Less Likely Possibility

• Uncertainty: "I might go to the party."
• Less Likely Possibility: "She might have missed the bus."
  "Might" expresses less certainty and smaller chances than "may." It’s used for less probable outcomes.
• Example Sentences: He might have forgotten our meeting.

5. Be Able To – Ability Across Tenses

• Ability: "I will be able to finish tomorrow."
• Negative: "I haven’t been able to attend meetings."
  "Be able to" conveys ability in different tenses, especially useful in formal or academic contexts where "can" doesn’t fit.
• Example Sentences: I will be able to submit the report by Friday.

Diagnostic Test: Modal Verbs (Can, Could, May, Might, Be Able To)

Test your understanding of modal verbs with this diagnostic test. Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences:

1. Incorrect: I could be promoted last year but I preferred to stay on the shop floor.
   Correct: I could have been promoted last year, but I preferred to stay on the shop floor.

2. Incorrect: This computer is so simple that it is able to be operated by anyone.
   Correct: This computer is so simple that it can be operated by anyone.

3. Incorrect: May you get a bonus this year?
   Correct: Could/Might you get a bonus this year?

Here are some sentences below contain mistakes with modal verbs. Tick (✓) the correct sentences, then find and correct the mistakes.

Examples:

Practice Exercises

1. The manager of the shop was a bit reluctant, but in the end, I __________ get a refund.
2. It was really annoying; I __________ get on to any of the websites you recommended.
3. What’s her phone number? I __________ remember it.
4. Although Stephanie is deaf and mute, she __________ communicate with the aid of a special computer.
5. Most of the big hotels were full, but we __________ find a room in one of those small guesthouses near the station.

A. Samantha is going to work at a ticket agency next year.
B. Judy went to the theatre yesterday and told the box office clerk that she was a theatre critic.
C. Liz went to the theatre yesterday to buy some tickets. They didn’t tell her about the special ‘free ticket’ offer.
D. Carol works at a ticket agency.

1. She was able to get free tickets.
2. She can get free tickets.
3. She will be able to get free tickets.
4. She could have got free tickets.

• He could do it.
• He couldn’t do it.
• He might have done it.
• He can’t have done it.

A. He had plenty of opportunities.
B. He wasn’t even in the country.
C. He seems a very capable person.
D. He doesn’t look old enough.

1. You ____ (I’m very angry with you – you knew I was having problems with the car and you didn’t bother to help me!)
2. Twenty years ago I ____ (My neighbour offered me his apartment for $30,000 but I didn’t buy it.)
3. We ____ (It would be possible for us to issue the tickets today if you gave us your credit card number.)
4. The service ____ (The service in British restaurants is sometimes quite surly.)
5. They ____ (Don’t worry, they’ll probably be on the next train.)

The worst experience of my life? I (0) ____ can ____ remember it as if it were yesterday.

1. There was a very strong smell of burning but I (1) ____ tell where it was coming from.
2. I (2) ____ see smoke coming from the staircase.
3. I suppose I (3) ____ tried to run down the stairs, but I knew I wouldn’t have made it.
4. I (4) ____ got further than the first landing before choking.
5. I (5) ____ jumped out of the window but I felt too scared.

Also check:

• Grammar for IELTS
• IELTS Grammar books
• English Pronunciation in use Intermediate pdf

Modal verbs: Practice Exercises with Answers

Q1:

1. The manager of the shop was a bit reluctant, but in the end, I managed to get a refund.
2. It was really annoying; I couldn't get on to any of the websites you recommended.
3. What’s her phone number? I can’t remember it.
4. Although Stephanie is deaf and mute, she is able to communicate with the aid of a special computer.
5. Most of the big hotels were full, but we were able to find a room in one of those small guesthouses near the station.

Q2:
1. D
2. A
3. C
4. B

Q3:
1. C
2. D
3. A
4. B

Q4:
1. You could have helped me (I’m very angry with you – you knew I was having problems with the car and you didn’t bother to help me!)
2. Twenty years ago I could have bought (My neighbour offered me his apartment for $30,000 but I didn’t buy it.)
3. We could issue the tickets today (It would be possible for us to issue the tickets today if you gave us your credit card number.)
4. The service can be (The service in British restaurants is sometimes quite surly.)
5. They might be (Don’t worry, they’ll probably be on the next train.)

Q5:
1. couldn’t
2. could
3. could
4. couldn’t
5. could

Tips for Using Modal Verbs in IELTS

• Be Consistent: Use modal verbs appropriately based on the context (present, past, or future). For example, use can for present ability and could for past ability.
• Avoid Overuse: Don’t use too many modal verbs in a single sentence. This can make your writing sound unnatural and affect clarity.
• Practice Regularly: Take mock tests and practice exercises to improve your accuracy. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become with using modal verbs correctly.
• Understand the Nuances: Modal verbs express different degrees of certainty and politeness. Use may and might for possibility, can and could for ability, and must for certainty.
• Use Modals for Politeness: In speaking and writing, use could and would to make polite requests or suggestions, e.g., Could you please... or Would it be possible...