Here is the completed worksheet with the modal verbs underlined
once and the action verbs underlined
twice, as instructed.
---
Learning Modal Verbs Worksheet
*(Instructions followed: Modal verbs underlined once, action verbs underlined twice.)*
---
1. He
shall bring the food very soon.
→ *“shall” = modal verb; “bring” = action verb*
2. We
can definitely
win the championship game.
→ *“can” = modal verb; “win” = action verb*
3. We
ran for the hills.
→ *No modal verb. “ran” = action verb (past tense of “run”)*
4. You
should stop smoking because it is bad for you.
→ *“should” = modal verb; “stop” = action verb*
5.
May I
sit down now?
→ *“may” = modal verb; “sit” = action verb*
6. I
jumped towards the basketball hoop to get the rebound.
→ *No modal verb. “jumped” = action verb (past tense of “jump”)*
7. I
must go now.
→ *“must” = modal verb; “go” = action verb*
8. I
threw the frisbee about fifteen feet.
→ *No modal verb. “threw” = action verb (past tense of “throw”)*
9. I
ought to
tell the truth to the teacher.
→ *“ought” = modal verb (often used with “to”); “tell” = action verb*
10.
Could you
pass me the ketchup?
→ *“could” = modal verb; “pass” = action verb*
11. It
must be very cold on the east coast.
→ *“must” = modal verb; “be” = action verb (linking verb, but still the main verb in this context)*
---
✔ Key Notes:
- Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express modality — ability, permission, obligation, likelihood.
- Common modals:
can/could, may/might, must, will/would, shall/should, ought to.
- Action verbs are the main verbs that show what the subject is doing or being.
- In sentence 3, 6, and 8 — there are
no modal verbs, so only the action verb is underlined twice.
- In sentence 11, “be” is the main verb (even though it’s a linking verb) — it’s the action/state being expressed, so it gets double underlining.
- Sentence 9 includes “ought to” — “ought” is considered a modal verb, even though it requires “to” before the main verb.
---
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or explanation of each sentence!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of modal auxiliaries worksheet 4th grade.
