May, might & must - helping verbs worksheets | Worsheets library - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: May, might & must - helping verbs worksheets | Worsheets library
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: May, might & must - helping verbs worksheets | Worsheets library
Let's solve the worksheet step by step. The task is to fill in the blanks with may, might, or must based on the context and the hint provided.
---
- May = possibility or permission
- Might = smaller possibility (more uncertain than "may")
- Must = requirement, necessity
---
Now let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. Our teacher says we _______ study for the test if we want to do well.
- The teacher is giving advice: studying is necessary to do well.
- This expresses a requirement.
- ✔ Answer: must
> *Our teacher says we must study for the test if we want to do well.*
---
2. There’s a good chance my mom _______ make us pancakes for breakfast tomorrow.
- "There’s a good chance" suggests a possibility, but not certainty.
- Since it's a good chance, use may (not "might", which is more uncertain).
- ✔ Answer: may
> *There’s a good chance my mom may make us pancakes for breakfast tomorrow.*
---
3. We _______ win the big game today, but probably not.
- "But probably not" shows low confidence — so it's a small possibility.
- Use might for less likely outcomes.
- ✔ Answer: might
> *We might win the big game today, but probably not.*
---
4. It _______ rain later in the day according to the weather report.
- Weather forecasts often suggest possibility, but not certainty.
- No strong indication of high or low probability — just a general forecast.
- Use may (standard for possible events).
- ✔ Answer: may
> *It may rain later in the day according to the weather report.*
---
5. We _______ wear gym shoes on the days we have gym class.
- Gym shoes are required for gym class — this is a rule.
- Expresses a requirement.
- ✔ Answer: must
> *We must wear gym shoes on the days we have gym class.*
---
6. My family _______ go to Georgia to visit my aunt if my dad can get extra time off.
- This is conditional: “if my dad can get time off” → then they might go.
- It's possible, but not certain — depends on a condition.
- Use may or might? Both work, but may is slightly more common for possibilities with conditions.
- However, since it's conditional, and the outcome isn't guaranteed, might fits better for expressing uncertainty.
- ✔ Answer: might
> *My family might go to Georgia to visit my aunt if my dad can get extra time off.*
*(Note: "may" could also be acceptable here, but "might" emphasizes the uncertainty better.)*
---
7. _______ I please have another slice of pizza?
- This is a polite request — asking for permission.
- ✔ Answer: May
> *May I please have another slice of pizza?*
*(“Might” is too formal and weak; “must” doesn’t fit at all.)*
---
8. I worked very hard, so I _______ get a good grade.
- You worked hard → you deserve or expect a good grade.
- But it’s not guaranteed — still a possibility.
- However, the word “so” implies a logical conclusion — it’s likely.
- So use may (possible) or must?
- “Must” would mean it’s certain — but we don’t know yet.
- So may is best: may get a good grade.
- ✔ Answer: may
> *I worked very hard, so I may get a good grade.*
*(Alternatively, some might argue “should”, but we're limited to may/might/must. “Must” would be too strong.)*
---
9. Robert didn’t study very much, but he _______ get a good grade.
- He didn’t study → unlikely to do well.
- But the sentence says “but” — suggesting a surprising possibility.
- So it's possible, though not likely.
- Use might for a small chance.
- ✔ Answer: might
> *Robert didn’t study very much, but he might get a good grade.*
---
10. We _______ buy safety goggles for science class.
- Safety goggles are required in science class — for safety.
- This is a requirement.
- ✔ Answer: must
> *We must buy safety goggles for science class.*
---
1. must
2. may
3. might
4. may
5. must
6. might
7. May
8. may
9. might
10. must
---
- Use must when something is required or necessary.
- Use may for general possibilities or permissions.
- Use might for less likely or more uncertain possibilities.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation for any specific sentence!
---
Hint Recap:
- May = possibility or permission
- Might = smaller possibility (more uncertain than "may")
- Must = requirement, necessity
---
Now let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. Our teacher says we _______ study for the test if we want to do well.
- The teacher is giving advice: studying is necessary to do well.
- This expresses a requirement.
- ✔ Answer: must
> *Our teacher says we must study for the test if we want to do well.*
---
2. There’s a good chance my mom _______ make us pancakes for breakfast tomorrow.
- "There’s a good chance" suggests a possibility, but not certainty.
- Since it's a good chance, use may (not "might", which is more uncertain).
- ✔ Answer: may
> *There’s a good chance my mom may make us pancakes for breakfast tomorrow.*
---
3. We _______ win the big game today, but probably not.
- "But probably not" shows low confidence — so it's a small possibility.
- Use might for less likely outcomes.
- ✔ Answer: might
> *We might win the big game today, but probably not.*
---
4. It _______ rain later in the day according to the weather report.
- Weather forecasts often suggest possibility, but not certainty.
- No strong indication of high or low probability — just a general forecast.
- Use may (standard for possible events).
- ✔ Answer: may
> *It may rain later in the day according to the weather report.*
---
5. We _______ wear gym shoes on the days we have gym class.
- Gym shoes are required for gym class — this is a rule.
- Expresses a requirement.
- ✔ Answer: must
> *We must wear gym shoes on the days we have gym class.*
---
6. My family _______ go to Georgia to visit my aunt if my dad can get extra time off.
- This is conditional: “if my dad can get time off” → then they might go.
- It's possible, but not certain — depends on a condition.
- Use may or might? Both work, but may is slightly more common for possibilities with conditions.
- However, since it's conditional, and the outcome isn't guaranteed, might fits better for expressing uncertainty.
- ✔ Answer: might
> *My family might go to Georgia to visit my aunt if my dad can get extra time off.*
*(Note: "may" could also be acceptable here, but "might" emphasizes the uncertainty better.)*
---
7. _______ I please have another slice of pizza?
- This is a polite request — asking for permission.
- ✔ Answer: May
> *May I please have another slice of pizza?*
*(“Might” is too formal and weak; “must” doesn’t fit at all.)*
---
8. I worked very hard, so I _______ get a good grade.
- You worked hard → you deserve or expect a good grade.
- But it’s not guaranteed — still a possibility.
- However, the word “so” implies a logical conclusion — it’s likely.
- So use may (possible) or must?
- “Must” would mean it’s certain — but we don’t know yet.
- So may is best: may get a good grade.
- ✔ Answer: may
> *I worked very hard, so I may get a good grade.*
*(Alternatively, some might argue “should”, but we're limited to may/might/must. “Must” would be too strong.)*
---
9. Robert didn’t study very much, but he _______ get a good grade.
- He didn’t study → unlikely to do well.
- But the sentence says “but” — suggesting a surprising possibility.
- So it's possible, though not likely.
- Use might for a small chance.
- ✔ Answer: might
> *Robert didn’t study very much, but he might get a good grade.*
---
10. We _______ buy safety goggles for science class.
- Safety goggles are required in science class — for safety.
- This is a requirement.
- ✔ Answer: must
> *We must buy safety goggles for science class.*
---
✔ Final Answers:
1. must
2. may
3. might
4. may
5. must
6. might
7. May
8. may
9. might
10. must
---
📝 Summary:
- Use must when something is required or necessary.
- Use may for general possibilities or permissions.
- Use might for less likely or more uncertain possibilities.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation for any specific sentence!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of modal auxiliary verbs worksheet for 4th grade.
