Chapter: 2 | Modals
📚 Vocabulary
English Grammar and Composition class 8
⭐ Most Important Exam Words
modalabilitypossibilitypermissionobligationprohibitionnecessityadvicecertaintyprobabilitywillingnessintentionpredictionrecommendationexpectationrequirementforbiddenrequiredexhaustedfluently
📃 Word Formation Rules
► able → unable: Add the prefix un- to form the opposite adjective.
► possible → impossible: Add the prefix im- to form the opposite adjective.
► necessary → unnecessary: Add the prefix un- to show lack of necessity.
► permit → permission: Change the verb permit into the noun permission.
► oblige → obligation: Change the verb oblige into the noun obligation.
► recommend → recommendation: Add -ation to form a noun.
► expect → expectation: Add -ation to form a noun.
► prohibit → prohibition: Add -ion to form a noun.
► certain → certainty: Change the adjective into a noun by adding -ty.
► willing → willingness: Add -ness to form a noun.
► fluent → fluently: Add -ly to form an adverb.
► practice → practical: Add -al to form an adjective.
1. Modal Verbs and Basic Functions (8 words)
modal[/ˈməʊdəl/]nounmedium
Meaning: ভাব প্রকাশকারী সহায়ক ক্রিয়া
Alt: A verb showing ability, possibility, permission, necessity or advice
Example: Can is a modal verb.
Syn: auxiliary, helping verbAnt: main verb
💡 Exam tip: Modals do not take s, ed or ing and are followed by the base form of a verb.
ability[/əˈbɪləti/]nouneasy
Meaning: সক্ষমতা
Alt: The power or skill to do something
Example: Can expresses present ability.
Syn: skill, capacityAnt: inability, weakness
💡 Exam tip: Use can for present ability and could for past ability.
possibility[/ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti/]nouneasy
Meaning: সম্ভাবনা
Alt: A chance that something may happen
Example: It might rain tonight.
Syn: chance, likelihoodAnt: impossibility, certainty
💡 Exam tip: May, might and could commonly express possibility.
permission[/pəˈmɪʃən/]nouneasy
Meaning: অনুমতি
Alt: Consent to do something
Example: Could I use your mobile phone?
Syn: consent, approvalAnt: prohibition, refusal
💡 Exam tip: Could and may are generally more polite than can when asking permission.
obligation[/ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃən/]nounmedium
Meaning: বাধ্যবাধকতা
Alt: A duty or responsibility
Example: Students must obey the school rules.
Syn: duty, responsibilityAnt: freedom, option
💡 Exam tip: Must, have to and should can express obligation in different strengths.
prohibition[/ˌprəʊɪˈbɪʃən/]nounmedium
Meaning: নিষেধাজ্ঞা
Alt: An order not to do something
Example: You must not smoke here.
Syn: ban, restrictionAnt: permission, allowance
💡 Exam tip: Must not means that an action is forbidden.
necessity[/nəˈsesəti/]nounmedium
Meaning: প্রয়োজনীয়তা
Alt: Something that is needed
Example: You have to get a visa.
Syn: need, requirementAnt: option, unnecessity
💡 Exam tip: Do not have to means lack of necessity, not prohibition.
advice[/ədˈvaɪs/]nouneasy
Meaning: পরামর্শ
Alt: An opinion about what someone should do
Example: You should take some warm clothes.
Syn: guidance, recommendationAnt: misguidance, discouragement
💡 Exam tip: Should and ought to are common modals for giving advice.
2. Can and Could (8 words)
can[/kæn/]verbeasy
Meaning: পারা; সক্ষম হওয়া
Alt: A modal used for ability, permission and possibility
Example: I can play badminton.
Syn: be able to, mayAnt: cannot, be unable to
💡 Exam tip: Can is followed by the base verb: She can swim.
cannot[/ˈkænɒt/]verbeasy
Meaning: পারে না
Alt: The negative form of can
Example: He cannot speak Spanish.
Syn: can't, be unable toAnt: can, be able to
💡 Exam tip: Cannot is usually written as one word; can't is its contraction.
could[/kʊd/]verbeasy
Meaning: পারত; পারা সম্ভব হতে পারে
Alt: The past form of can, also used for polite requests and possibility
Example: Could you open the window, please?
Syn: was able to, mightAnt: could not, was unable to
💡 Exam tip: Could expresses past ability and more polite permission requests.
unable[/ʌnˈeɪbəl/]adjmedium
Meaning: অক্ষম
Alt: Not able to do something
Example: She was unable to attend the meeting.
Syn: incapable, powerlessAnt: able, capable
💡 Exam tip: Unable to + base verb can replace cannot in formal writing.
borrow[/ˈbɒrəʊ/]verbeasy
Meaning: ধার নেওয়া
Alt: To take and use something temporarily with permission
Example: Could I borrow your laptop?
Syn: take on loan, use temporarilyAnt: lend, return
💡 Exam tip: Borrow means take from someone; lend means give to someone.
permission[/pəˈmɪʃən/]nouneasy
Meaning: অনুমতি
Alt: Official or informal approval to do something
Example: Can I talk to my friends?
Syn: approval, consentAnt: denial, prohibition
💡 Exam tip: Can I...? is common and informal; Could I...? is more polite.
condition[/kənˈdɪʃən/]nounmedium
Meaning: শর্ত
Alt: A situation that must exist for something to happen
Example: If he studied harder, he could pass the exam.
Syn: requirement, circumstanceAnt: unconditionality, freedom
💡 Exam tip: Could can express ability or possibility under a condition.
possibility[/ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti/]nouneasy
Meaning: সম্ভাবনা
Alt: Something that may happen or be true
Example: We could spend the afternoon talking.
Syn: chance, prospectAnt: certainty, impossibility
💡 Exam tip: Could often shows a less certain possibility than will.
3. May and Might (8 words)
may[/meɪ/]verbeasy
Meaning: হতে পারে; অনুমতি পাওয়া
Alt: A modal expressing permission or probable possibility
Example: May I leave the class early?
Syn: might, be allowed toAnt: may not, cannot
💡 Exam tip: May expresses permission and a fairly possible event.
might[/maɪt/]verbeasy
Meaning: হয়তো; সম্ভবত
Alt: A modal expressing weak possibility
Example: He might come home late.
Syn: perhaps, possiblyAnt: certainly, definitely not
💡 Exam tip: Might generally shows more uncertainty than may.
probability[/ˌprɒbəˈbɪləti/]nounmedium
Meaning: সম্ভাব্যতা
Alt: The likelihood that something will happen
Example: There is a high probability that it will rain.
Syn: likelihood, chanceAnt: improbability, impossibility
💡 Exam tip: May expresses greater probability than might in many contexts.
uncertain[/ʌnˈsɜːtən/]adjmedium
Meaning: অনিশ্চিত
Alt: Not known or definite
Example: The weather is uncertain today.
Syn: doubtful, unsureAnt: certain, definite
💡 Exam tip: Use might when the speaker is uncertain about an event.
forecast[/ˈfɔːkɑːst/]nounmedium
Meaning: পূর্বাভাস
Alt: A prediction about future weather or events
Example: The weather forecast said it might rain.
Syn: prediction, outlookAnt: fact, certainty
💡 Exam tip: Forecast is often used with may, might or could.
rain[/reɪn/]verbeasy
Meaning: বৃষ্টি হওয়া
Alt: To fall as water from clouds
Example: Take your umbrella as it may rain.
Syn: drizzle, pourAnt: clear up, dry
💡 Exam tip: After may or might, use rain, not rains.
allow[/əˈlaʊ/]verbeasy
Meaning: অনুমতি দেওয়া
Alt: To give permission
Example: The teacher may allow us to leave early.
Syn: permit, letAnt: forbid, prevent
💡 Exam tip: May I...? is a formal way to ask whether something is allowed.
possibly[/ˈpɒsəbli/]advmedium
Meaning: সম্ভবত
Alt: In a way that may happen or be true
Example: They could possibly be away for the weekend.
Syn: perhaps, maybeAnt: certainly, surely
💡 Exam tip: Possibly is an adverb; possibility is a noun.
4. Should, Ought To and Advice (8 words)
should[/ʃʊd/]verbeasy
Meaning: উচিত
Alt: A modal used for advice, recommendation, obligation or expectation
Example: You should revise your lessons.
Syn: ought to, had betterAnt: should not, ought not to
💡 Exam tip: Should is followed by the base verb without to.
ought[/ɔːt/]verbmedium
Meaning: উচিত হওয়া
Alt: A modal-like verb used for advice or expectation
Example: You ought to stop wasting time.
Syn: should, be expected toAnt: ought not to, should not
💡 Exam tip: Ought is followed by to: ought to study.
recommendation[/ˌrekəmenˈdeɪʃən/]nounmedium
Meaning: সুপারিশ; পরামর্শ
Alt: Advice about the best action
Example: My recommendation is that you should rest.
Syn: advice, suggestionAnt: discouragement, warning
💡 Exam tip: Should and ought to commonly introduce recommendations.
expectation[/ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/]nounmedium
Meaning: প্রত্যাশা
Alt: A belief that something will happen
Example: They should already be in Dhaka.
Syn: anticipation, assumptionAnt: surprise, doubt
💡 Exam tip: Should can express an expected situation, not only advice.
rest[/rest/]verbeasy
Meaning: বিশ্রাম নেওয়া
Alt: To relax after work or effort
Example: You should have a good rest.
Syn: relax, reposeAnt: work, exert
💡 Exam tip: Should + base verb: You should rest.
revise[/rɪˈvaɪz/]verbeasy
Meaning: পুনরায় পড়া
Alt: To study lessons again before an examination
Example: You should revise your lessons regularly.
Syn: review, relearnAnt: forget, neglect
💡 Exam tip: Revise is a verb; revision is its noun form.
desirable[/dɪˈzaɪərəbəl/]adjhard
Meaning: কাম্য; আকাঙ্ক্ষিত
Alt: Worth having or doing
Example: It is desirable that students should be punctual.
Syn: wanted, preferableAnt: undesirable, unwanted
💡 Exam tip: Ought to may suggest that an action is desirable.
waste[/weɪst/]verbeasy
Meaning: অপচয় করা
Alt: To use something carelessly or unnecessarily
Example: You ought not to waste your valuable time.
Syn: squander, misuseAnt: save, use wisely
💡 Exam tip: Ought not to is used to advise against an action.
5. Must, Have To and Necessity (8 words)
must[/mʌst/]verbeasy
Meaning: অবশ্যই করতে হবে
Alt: A modal expressing strong obligation, necessity or certainty
Example: You must obey the traffic rules.
Syn: have to, need toAnt: need not, must not
💡 Exam tip: Must not means prohibition, while do not have to means no necessity.
have to[/hæv tuː/]verbeasy
Meaning: করতে হয়
Alt: An expression of necessity or obligation
Example: We have to get permission from the headmaster.
Syn: must, need toAnt: do not have to, need not
💡 Exam tip: Have to changes with the subject and tense: has to, had to.
certainty[/ˈsɜːtənti/]nounmedium
Meaning: নিশ্চয়তা
Alt: The state of being sure
Example: This must be the right address.
Syn: assurance, confidenceAnt: doubt, uncertainty
💡 Exam tip: Must can express a logical conclusion or certainty.
necessity[/nəˈsesəti/]nouneasy
Meaning: প্রয়োজনীয়তা
Alt: The condition of being needed
Example: A passport is a necessity for international travel.
Syn: need, requirementAnt: luxury, choice
💡 Exam tip: Must and have to are stronger than should when expressing necessity.
prohibit[/prəˈhɪbɪt/]verbmedium
Meaning: নিষেধ করা
Alt: To officially stop someone from doing something
Example: The rules prohibit students from smoking.
Syn: forbid, banAnt: allow, permit
💡 Exam tip: Must not is used to prohibit an action.
forbidden[/fəˈbɪdən/]adjmedium
Meaning: নিষিদ্ধ
Alt: Not allowed by a rule or authority
Example: Students must not enter the laboratory alone because it is forbidden.
Syn: banned, prohibitedAnt: allowed, permitted
💡 Exam tip: Forbidden describes an action that must not be done.
required[/rɪˈkwaɪəd/]adjmedium
Meaning: প্রয়োজনীয়; আবশ্যক
Alt: Needed according to a rule or situation
Example: A visa is required to enter the country.
Syn: necessary, essentialAnt: optional, unnecessary
💡 Exam tip: Required is close in meaning to necessary, but not required means unnecessary.
obey[/əˈbeɪ/]verbeasy
Meaning: মেনে চলা
Alt: To do what a rule or person says
Example: Everyone must obey the school rules.
Syn: follow, comply withAnt: disobey, ignore
💡 Exam tip: Obey is often used with must or have to.
6. Will, Would, Shall and Related Expressions (8 words)
will[/wɪl/]verbeasy
Meaning: করবে; হবে
Alt: A modal expressing willingness, intention or prediction
Example: I will help you with your homework.
Syn: shall, be willing toAnt: will not, refuse
💡 Exam tip: Will can express future prediction, willingness and intention.
would[/wʊd/]verbeasy
Meaning: করত; করবেন কি
Alt: A modal used for polite requests, willingness or repeated past actions
Example: Would you please take off your coat?
Syn: used to, mightAnt: would not, refuse
💡 Exam tip: Would you...? is a polite way to make a request or offer.
shall[/ʃæl/]verbmedium
Meaning: করব; করব কি
Alt: A modal used for promises, determination or suggestions
Example: I shall never be late at school.
Syn: will, promise toAnt: shall not, refuse
💡 Exam tip: Shall is often used with I or we for promises and suggestions.
willingness[/ˈwɪlɪŋnəs/]nounmedium
Meaning: ইচ্ছা; আগ্রহ
Alt: The quality of being ready to do something
Example: Will expresses willingness to help.
Syn: readiness, eagernessAnt: unwillingness, reluctance
💡 Exam tip: Will can show that the subject is ready or eager to act.
intention[/ɪnˈtenʃən/]nounmedium
Meaning: উদ্দেশ্য; অভিপ্রায়
Alt: A plan or purpose to do something
Example: I will do my exercises later.
Syn: purpose, planAnt: aimlessness, indifference
💡 Exam tip: Will in the first person can express a future intention.
prediction[/prɪˈdɪkʃən/]nouneasy
Meaning: ভবিষ্যদ্বাণী; পূর্বানুমান
Alt: A statement about what will happen
Example: The meeting will be over soon.
Syn: forecast, prophecyAnt: fact, history
💡 Exam tip: Will is commonly used to make predictions about the future.
promise[/ˈprɒmɪs/]nouneasy
Meaning: প্রতিশ্রুতি
Alt: A firm statement that one will do something
Example: I shall keep my promise.
Syn: assurance, pledgeAnt: refusal, breach
💡 Exam tip: Shall and will can be used to express strong promises.
request[/rɪˈkwest/]nouneasy
Meaning: অনুরোধ
Alt: A polite act of asking for something
Example: Would you please close the door?
Syn: appeal, pleaAnt: order, refusal
💡 Exam tip: Would you...? and Could you...? are polite request forms.
7. Need, Dare and Exam Action Words (8 words)
need[/niːd/]verbeasy
Meaning: প্রয়োজন হওয়া
Alt: To require something
Example: Need I say more?
Syn: require, wantAnt: lack, dispense with
💡 Exam tip: Need can behave like a modal in questions and negative sentences.
need not[/niːd nɒt/]verbeasy
Meaning: প্রয়োজন নেই
Alt: An expression showing lack of necessity
Example: You need not buy any tomatoes.
Syn: do not have to, do not need toAnt: must, have to
💡 Exam tip: Need not means an action is unnecessary, not forbidden.
dare[/deə/]verbmedium
Meaning: সাহস করা
Alt: To be brave enough to do something
Example: How dare you speak to your teacher like that?
Syn: challenge, ventureAnt: fear, avoid
💡 Exam tip: Dare may behave like a modal and can be followed by the base verb.
practice[/ˈpræktɪs/]verbeasy
Meaning: অনুশীলন করা
Alt: To do something repeatedly to improve a skill
Example: You have to practise the language regularly.
Syn: train, rehearseAnt: neglect, avoid
💡 Exam tip: After a modal, use practise in the base form: must practise.
organize[/ˈɔːɡənaɪz/]verbeasy
Meaning: আয়োজন করা
Alt: To plan and arrange an event or activity
Example: We have to get permission if we want to organize a picnic.
Syn: arrange, planAnt: disorganize, cancel
💡 Exam tip: Use the base form after have to when the subject is I, you, we or they.
exhausted[/ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/]adjmedium
Meaning: অত্যন্ত ক্লান্ত
Alt: Extremely tired
Example: He must be exhausted after the long flight.
Syn: tired, wearyAnt: energetic, refreshed
💡 Exam tip: Must be + adjective can express a logical conclusion.
fluently[/ˈfluːəntli/]advmedium
Meaning: সাবলীলভাবে
Alt: In a smooth and natural manner
Example: I could speak Arabic fluently when I was a child.
Syn: smoothly, easilyAnt: hesitantly, poorly
💡 Exam tip: An adverb usually modifies the main verb: speak fluently.
examination[/ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃən/]nouneasy
Meaning: পরীক্ষা
Alt: A formal test of knowledge or ability
Example: You should prepare well for the examination.
Syn: test, assessmentAnt: 休息
💡 Exam tip: The verb form is examine; the adjective is examinational or exam-related.
💡 Exam Tips
• A modal is followed by the base form of the main verb: She can swim.
• Modal verbs do not change according to the subject: I can, he can, they can.
• Do not add s, ed or ing after a modal.
• Can expresses present ability, permission and general possibility.
• Could expresses past ability, polite permission and conditional possibility.
• May expresses permission and possibility; might expresses weaker possibility.
• Must expresses strong obligation, necessity or logical certainty.
• Must not means prohibition, whereas do not have to means lack of necessity.
• Should and ought to are used for advice, recommendation and expectation.
• Have to changes form: I have to go, but he has to go.
• Will expresses willingness, intention and prediction.
• Would is commonly used for polite requests and offers.
• Need not means that something is not necessary.
• Ought to is followed by to, but should is followed directly by the base verb.
• In gap-filling questions, identify the function first: ability, permission, advice, obligation or possibility.