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Helping Verbs

Modal Helping Verbs

Can, should, have to - and the early request verbs want and need - asking, refusing and saying what must happen.

Mastered by
Can and want are early, usually in the 2-to-3-year band, and ASHA has children asking for things and refusing in that period
Practice items
26
Sections
4

What this skill is

Modals are helpers that say something about how an action stands: whether it is possible, required or advisable. Want and need are ordinary verbs rather than modals, but they do the same early job - asking for something and turning it down - so they sit on this page too. This page deliberately sticks to the handful children actually need - can, can't, want, need, should, have to. They map onto the things a child most needs to do with language: ask for something, turn something down, and say that something must or should happen.

What to expect

Can't and don't often show up before can and do, because refusing is more urgent than describing. "Want" is frequently an early request form all by itself ("want juice"), with the rest of the sentence filled in later. Should and have to come later because they involve reasoning about obligation, not just desire.

Try this at home

Set up small choices and obstacles rather than asking questions. A snack jar with a lid the child cannot open produces "I need help" and "can you open it?" far more reliably than being asked "what do you need?"

When to refer

No requesting or refusing words by about 3, or no can/can't distinction by 4.

Print it

Modal Helping Verbs worksheet26 items across 4 sections, with answer key · PDF

Can and Cannot

7 items

Fill in the blank with can or cannot.

  1. 1.Birds have wings, so they ____ fly.can
  2. 2.Fish live in water, so they ____ walk on land.cannot
  3. 3.I am too short, so I ____ reach the shelf.cannot
  4. 4.My sister is five, so she ____ ride a bike.can
  5. 5.The baby has no teeth, so she ____ eat an apple.cannot
  6. 6.I practiced a lot, so I ____ tie my shoes.can
  7. 7.The door is locked, so we ____ get in.cannot

Want and Need

7 items

Use want for something you would like, and need for something you must have. Fill in the blank.

  1. 1.I am thirsty. I ____ a drink.need
  2. 2.The cake looks good. I ____ a piece.want
  3. 3.My shoe is untied. I ____ help.need
  4. 4.I ____ to play outside, but it is raining.want
  5. 5.It is cold out. You ____ a coat.need
  6. 6.I ____ the red crayon, not the blue one.want
  7. 7.The plant is dry. It ____ water.needs

Should and Have To

6 items

Use should for a good idea, and have to for something there is no choice about. Fill in the blank.

  1. 1.It is bedtime, so I ____ go to sleep.have to
  2. 2.You are being loud. You ____ use a quieter voice.should
  3. 3.The light is red, so we ____ stop.have to
  4. 4.Your hands are dirty. You ____ wash them.should
  5. 5.School starts at eight, so I ____ get up early.have to
  6. 6.He took your turn. You ____ tell him how you feel.should

Ask for It

6 items

Say a whole sentence asking for each thing. Use can, want or need.

  1. 1.You are thirsty.Can I have a drink?
  2. 2.The jar will not open.Can you help me open it?
  3. 3.You would like a turn on the swing.I want a turn, please.
  4. 4.You cannot reach your coat.I need help getting my coat.
  5. 5.You do not want any more peas.I do not want any more, thank you.
  6. 6.The TV is too loud.Can you turn it down?