A modal verb is a helping verb used to express ability, possibility, permission, or obligation. It gives more meaning to the main verb and cannot stand alone. Modal verbs are used in everyday conversations hence, it is crucial for teachers and parents to teach this concept to children. When children understand the context of the sentence, they are more likely to understand its application in communication. However, it can be tricky to teach the usage of modal verbs. That’s where online games play a helpful role in the learning process.
Modal verbs online games are easy yet super fun. Many of these games are perfect for revising and learning Modal Verbs’ basics. Students get an opportunity to improve their skills and build up a great resource bank regarding modal verbs. These games are helpful for students to focus on building solid conceptual knowledge. Tricky and complicated sections of Modal Verbs are not just made easy to understand but also enhance the level of confidence.
Below is the list of online games that can help improve coordination and sharpen memory while engaging students in a competitive learning environment.
How are modal verbs used in daily life? Some examples explored
Each modal verb is used in a unique situation. Students understand the concept well when they are presented with relevant examples. Teachers and parents can use the below examples to explain the subject matter.
1. Can, Could – Defines Ability or Possibility
These modal verbs are used in daily life contexts to show “ability” or “possibility”. The Modal Verb “can” define present ability while “could” define past ability.
- I can drive the car.
- She could sing well when she was 7.
2. Can, Could, May – Defines Permission
These modal verbs are often used when seeking permission from anyone. They are generally used by students when communicating with teachers.
- Can I use the washroom?
- Could you pass the book to your right?
- May I check your English homework?
3. Should – Defines Suggestion or Advice
This modal verb is used when a person wishes to communicate in a subtle manner. Should is generally used to present advice in a polite manner.
- You should complete your work before bedtime.
- Paul should focus on grammar to improve his language skills.
- One should always check the house before leaving for a trip.
4. Must, Have to – Defines Obligation
These modal verbs are used to present an obligation to another person. Such modal verbs are used while commanding or instructing someone to complete a task or an action.
- You must add an adjective to make sentences more poetic.
- Students have to bring their art books to school.
5. Might, May, Can, Could – Defines Possibility
The following modal verbs are used to convey a possibility of an event, situation, or action. Such modal verbs are used when anyone wants to depict the context of possibility.
- She might come to the class tomorrow.
- Peter may host the event.
- Andrew can do well in his studies if he is focused.
- She could do it back then, I am not sure about the current situation.
The above-mentioned examples are classic in understanding the usage and application of each modal verb. As one modal verb can be used in two different ways, these examples can be used in the classroom or at home to enhance practical knowledge of the concept. Such examples can also be used as daily activities for students that will help them know and understand the context in which a certain modal verb is used.
Engaging online games to learn modal verbs
While modal verbs are easy to understand, students often get confused with its application. Hence, online games are a good way to engage children in understanding the concept thoroughly. Since games are vibrant and free on the web, students can access them anytime, anywhere.
1. Identify Modal Verb
The prime objective of the game is to locate the modal verbs. The panda in the game will need some help to jump onto the incoming wooden logs which will have some modal verbs written on them. Choose the accurate modal verb as per the grammatical fit of the sentence shown at the top of the screen.
How to Play:
- Identify the modal verb and click on the right one to jump on it.
- Choose between two paying options: Fill in the blanks or identify the correct modal verb.
- For the fill in the blanks, read the sentence and click on the modal verb which fits the sentence accurately.
- For the correct modal verb, choose the right verb from the three options.
- For every correct answer, the panda jumps on the wooden log.
- For every level, you will get three lives.
- If you select the wrong option, the panda will fall into the river and drown.
The game is very engrossing and highly learning-centric. Not only will the students be able to learn different types of modal verbs but also practice more about the same.
2. Dragon Game
In the dragon graphics-inspired game, you have to choose the right modal verb out of the three options. The correct modal verb will fit the sentence best. The dragon in the game is trying to protect its food from the bird.
How to play:
- Choose the modal verbs such as can, must, would, and could that fit well in the fill-in-the-blanks.
- Read the questions and select the right modal verb.
- After selecting the right answer, press submit.
- Select each answer within the time limit.
The game is beneficial for students to get a thorough practice of modal verbs. This game helps in understanding the four important modal verbs and their right usage in sentences.
3. Tap the Modal Verb
Locating the right modal verb from the sentence is the primary objective of this game. Students will be able to understand the best way to locate the modal verbs by clarifying their knowledge of modal verbs.
How to Play:
- With every sentence, there will be a hidden modal verb in them.
- Click on the modal verb in the sentence.
- Click on the next slide after selecting the right modal verb.
The game is very simplistic and easy to understand. It allows individuals to understand the context of the sentences and the deeper meaning the modal verbs imply.
4. Modal verbs
This Quiz based game is primarily based on fill-in-the-blanks activities. The game is designed in a simplistic and easy-to-use manner which allows the users accurate usage of modal verbs.
How to play:
- A sentence will be presented with a blank and 6 different options.
- All the options are modal verbs.
- Now, choose the right one that fits the sentence and the context.
- There will be 5 questions and rankings on the scoreboard will be based on quick answering.
Guessing the right modal verb is not the trick but understanding the sentence first is important. It helps to understand the context and meaning of the question and then imply the right answer for the same.
5. Modal Verbs Maze
The Modal Verbs Maze Chase helps to build eye and hand coordination while enhancing grammatical skills. In this game, students have to identify and choose the right modal verb.
How to play:
- Use your mouse to aim and shoot the rival tanks with the modal verbs mentioned on top.
- Shoot at the tank with the correct modal verb.
- You will have to choose the right option before all the rival tanks reach close to your tank.
- Any incorrect answer will get your tank fired at.
- You will get three lives to choose the correct options.
The benefit of the game is understanding the right modal verb usage and quick decision-making skills. Students get to learn more about the concepts of modal verbs with each question as new and difficult modal verbs appear as the game proceeds.
6. Make the Right Order
Students have to choose a proper arrangement of jumbled words. You will be given hints as well. You can reset the words again if you are not able to arrange them in an accurate manner. One of the jumbled words will be a modal verb.
How to play:
- Arrange the jumbled words in the right order to form a sentence.
- Click on the check to check the grammatical accuracy of the sentence.
- Click on the hint if your sentence is incorrect.
- Click on reset to rearrange the jumbled words.
The game provides many tough sentences to solve with the right usage of the modal verb, could. Along with it, students can also practice their basics of tenses, especially past tense.
7. Gameshow Quiz
The game is inspired by the quiz show concept as shown in television shows. Within a time of 30 seconds, students have to guess the right modal verb to complete the sentence. You will also get a picture to understand the context of the sentences.
- You will get a sentence with a blank and 4 options that could fit in it.
- Within 30 seconds, you have to choose the right option.
- You will also get 3 lifelines to choose from.
- The more points you score at the end of 10 questions, the higher your ranking will be on the leaderboard.
How to play:
A tricky and dynamic game, Gameshow Quiz is a fun and exciting way to revise the concepts of modal verbs. With the 30 seconds timer on the go, students get an opportunity to brush up on their knowledge and make quick decisions.
8. Modal Verbs Mountain Climb
The single-player mountain climb game mixes adventure with grammar. You will get 10 questions that you require to answer in the least amount of time. For every correct answer, the mountaineer will climb closer to the summit.
How to play:
- For every sentence with a blank, there will be two options.
- Choose the correct option that grammatically fits well with the sentence.
- Click on submit and the climber will move a little further on his way up to the mountain.
- If your option is incorrect, the climber will not move up.
The game is interactive and provides a form of intrigue and excitement. The options are very similar and the correct answer will only be selected if you have strengthened your knowledge of modal verbs.
How to teach modal verbs in a fun way?
Modal Verbs have different meanings depending on the context of the sentences. Hence, parents and teachers can try a plethora of ways to inculcate knowledge about the concept. Below mentioned are some creative ways to teach modal verbs in the classroom or at home.
- Classroom activities help students understand modal verbs in a creative manner. They also get an opportunity to be competitive, learn team building, and cooperate with their fellow mates.
- Certain books can also help teachers and parents engage in teaching modal verbs. Books are filled with visually appealing illustrations thereby grabbing students’ attention.
- Worksheets are also helpful to teach modal verbs. Worksheets can include written activities, coloring or matching modal verbs, and identifying the correct modal verbs.
- Another fun way is to challenge students to find modal verbs in their daily routine and let them note these. Teachers can also ask students to briefly explain the context of each modal verb they heard in a day’s time.
- Parents and teachers can also engage in storytelling and ask children to identify the right modal verb along with its usage in the statement. It helps boost active listening skills while identifying the modal verbs.
Conclusion
Learning through online games is fun, exciting, and engaging. Learning new modal verbs and trying efficient ways to boost grammar skills are always amusing and a great learning experience. Teachers and parents can involve children in such games to help them recall the learned information. Additionally, online games offer an easy interface so that teachers, parents, and adults can access them without having to get into the technical details. Such games do not require log in or account creation thereby eliminating the extra effort.
Students also get to interact with various scenarios and varied perspectives of the game. They also learn how different games offer a distinctive appearance and strategy for playing. The above-mentioned games are free to play and are age-appropriate as well. With live ranking and leaderboard, students are motivated to perform better and improve their scores. Thus, more practice will get them higher scores and sharpen their grammatical skills.
I am Shweta Sharma. I am a final year Masters student of Clinical Psychology and have been working closely in the field of psycho-education and child development. I have served in various organisations and NGOs with the purpose of helping children with disabilities learn and adapt better to both, academic and social challenges. I am keen on writing about learning difficulties, the science behind them and potential strategies to deal with them. My areas of expertise include putting forward the cognitive and behavioural aspects of disabilities for better awareness, as well as efficient intervention. Follow me on LinkedIn