Modal meanings

Playing Modal meanings

Read each sentence and sort it into the group that fits the named grammatical feature. Play the rounds without a timer; a mistaken card can be tried again.

What this game practises

Modal verbs help express meanings such as possibility, obligation and recommendation. The prepared contexts make the intended use clear: could can express ability in other sentences, but It could rain later presents a possibility. The game covers selected uses, not every meaning of each modal. Discuss how changing may to must changes a message before using a modal in original writing.

Progress and trying again

The normal game controls let children finish, save stars on this device and play again. A previous best result is kept when a later attempt scores less. Matching games count incorrect pairs; ordering games score the first check of each round; sorting games give another chance after a mistake. Take time to talk about a choice rather than racing.

Return to the learning collection for curriculum guidance, examples and activities to try away from the screen.