Year 5 - English
Using modal verbs
Three tense forms and modal verbs
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils review the rules for the simple and progressive present, past and future tenses as well as the perfect present tense. They learn about modal verbs for the first time, learning that they can be useful for applying to speech sentences, persuasive writing and rhetorical questions.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use modal verbs in a speech sentence and a persuasive sentence.
Key Notes
- A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb.
- A modal verb is most often paired with the main verb of a clause.
- A modal verb is not paired with the main verb if it appears in a question.
- Modal verbs are often used in speech sentences and persuasive writing.
- A modal verb expresses the degree of possibility, intent, ability or necessity of the clause.
Vocabulary To Learn
- auxiliary verb: the helping verb that is always paired with the main verb
- modal verb: a type of auxiliary verb that helps us to talk about how likely, possible, necessary or obligatory something is to happen
- clause: a group of words that contains a verb
- speech sentence: a sentence that includes direct speech
- persuasive writing: text that tries to change someone's mind or behaviour
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may be confused by the presence of modal verbs at the start of questions.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb. A modal verb is most often paired with the main verb of a clause.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'auxiliary verb'
the helping verb that is always paired with the main verb.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may be confused by the presence of modal verbs at the start of questions. Correction: Explain that in questions the modal verb can come first followed by the person we're referring to, then the main verb.
More Lessons In This Unit
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