Modal-Verbs-Can-and-Could: Practice
Focused modal verbs: can and could practice with clear instructions, writing space and a complete answer key.
What’s in the worksheet?
- Focused controlled practice
- Clear instructions and writing space
- Useful model sentences
- Answer key on page 3
Practise can and could for ability, permission and requests, followed by three original sentences.
Worksheet preview
Open PDF ↗
Page 1 of 3 · A4 printable PDF
Page 2 of 3 · A4 printable PDF
Page 3 of 3 · Answer key · A4 printable PDF
A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Use pages 1–2; keep page 3 for feedback. Review the base-verb pattern and present versus past ability before starting.
- Complete the eight ability sentences using time clues such as now and when I was six. In item 7, insert could before the already printed not, rather than writing couldn't not.
- Complete the six permission and request questions. Accept either can or could in items 9–14, as the key allows, and discuss the difference in politeness rather than tense.
- Write one present ability, one past ability and one polite request on page 2, using the supplied beginnings; practise a natural reply with a partner.
Support and extension
Support with a now / past timeline and question models. Extend by changing a request's level of formality; personal writing has varied valid answers, not a single prescribed response.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
