1Complete the sentence.
2Complete the sentence.
3Complete the sentence.
4Complete the sentence.
Modal verbs: can, must, should, have to: explanation and exercises
A2Updated 2026-09-216 exercises
Modal verbs add meaning such as ability, permission, obligation and advice. They are followed by the bare verb and do not take -s in the third person. At A2 the core set is can, could, must, mustn’t, should and have to.
How it is formed
- Ability / permission
I can swim. / Can I open the window?
She could read at four.
- Obligation
You must wear a seatbelt.
Students have to wear a uniform.
- Advice
You should see a doctor.
- Prohibition vs no need
You mustn’t park here. (not allowed)
You don’t have to come. (not necessary)
When to use it
- Ability: can and could.
- Rules: must, have to, mustn’t.
- Advice: should and shouldn’t.
- Polite requests: Could you help me?
Common mistakes
Not this
She cans swim.Say thisShe can swim.
Modals never take -s.
Not this
You must to go.Say thisYou must go.
No to after a modal.
Not this
You don’t have to smoke here. (meaning forbidden)Say thisYou mustn’t smoke here.
Don’t have to means not necessary, not forbidden.
Tips for teaching it
- Use school rules and real signs: they make must, mustn’t and have to concrete.
- Teach mustn’t versus don’t have to in a dedicated five-minute drill; it is a very common error.
- Role-play advice conversations with should: “I have a headache.”
Practice: modal verbs: can, must, should, have to exercises
Try these exercises. Answers are checked in your browser and never sent to us. Teachers can share this page with a class as it is.
Frequently asked questions
Must or have to?
Must is often a personal or written obligation; have to is often an external rule. In everyday speech they overlap, but only have to has a past form (had to).
Can you use two modals together?
Not in standard English. Use a substitute: will be able to, not will can.