🧩 Mastering Modals in IELTS Writing and Speaking (Can, Should, Might...)

Modal verbs — like can, should, might, and must — are small words that make a big difference in your IELTS score. They help you express opinions, suggestions, degrees of certainty, and possibility. When used correctly, modals show grammatical range and improve clarity in both Writing and Speaking.

✅ What Are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are auxiliary (helping) verbs that modify the main verb to express necessity, possibility, permission, or ability.

Common Modals: can, could, may, might, should, shall, will, would, must, ought to

📘 Examples by Function

➡️ Expressing Opinions and Advice

• “Governments should invest more in renewable energy.”
• “Parents must guide their children in using technology responsibly.”

➡️ Talking About Possibility

• “This solution might reduce traffic congestion.”
• “The number of tourists could increase next year.”

➡️ Showing Ability or Permission

• “Students can access online resources anytime.”
• “We may submit the report electronically.”

✍️ Using Modals in IELTS Writing Task 2

Modals are especially useful in expressing opinions, solutions, and predictions:

Band 7+ Example: “Individuals should be encouraged to use bicycles, as this could significantly lower urban pollution.”

❌ Common Mistakes

• “People should to work hard.” → ❌ Incorrect
  ✅ Correct: “People should work hard.”
• “It can improves the situation.” → ❌ Incorrect
  ✅ Correct: “It can improve the situation.”

🗣️ Using Modals in IELTS Speaking

Modals help make your answers more nuanced and natural:

• “I think the government should provide more public spaces.”
• “It might depend on the person’s lifestyle.”
• “I could take a gap year before university, but I’m not sure yet.”

🎯 Practice Activity

Complete the following sentences using a suitable modal verb:

1. Schools ______ teach financial literacy from a young age.
2. Technology ______ replace many jobs in the future.
3. People ______ exercise regularly to stay healthy.
4. Teenagers ______ be allowed to use smartphones in class?

📌 Final Tips

• ✔️ Use modals to make your speech more varied and precise
• ✔️ Practice different functions (advice, possibility, obligation)
• ✔️ Avoid adding “to” after most modals (except “ought to”)
• ✔️ Review real examples from Band 7+ answers

Mastering modals will help you speak and write with confidence, control, and grammatical accuracy — exactly what the IELTS examiner is looking for.

See also next Common Grammar Mistakes That Lower Your IELTS Score

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