Assignment - Infographics - 138
A Note on What Makes This an Infographic
A list of modal verbs with one-line definitions is a vocabulary sheet. An infographic about modals shows what each one actually does to the meaning of a sentence - why “you must go” feels different from “you should go,” and why “can I?” means something different from “may I?” Group them by what they express, show the differences within each group, and use examples that make the meaning clear without explanation.
Objective
Create a categorization infographic in Canva that organizes modal verbs by function, showing the modals in each group, how they differ in strength or formality, and how they change sentence meaning.
Content to Cover
Opening Anchor
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that add meaning to the main verb - they tell us about ability, permission, obligation, possibility, or intention. They never change form (no -s, no -ing, no -ed) and are always followed by a base verb.
Group 1: Ability
Can - Present ability. “She can speak three languages.” Could - Past ability, or polite request. “He could run fast as a child.” / “Could you help me?” Be able to - Ability across all tenses where can/could cannot go. “I will be able to attend tomorrow.”
Group 2: Permission
Can - Informal permission. “You can leave early today.” May - Formal permission. “You may use a dictionary during the test.” Could - Polite request for permission. “Could I borrow your pen?”
- Note: “May I?” is more formal than “Can I?” Both ask for permission, but register differs.
Group 3: Obligation and Necessity
Must - Strong obligation, often from the speaker’s authority. “You must submit the assignment by Friday.” Have to - External obligation - a rule or requirement outside the speaker. “I have to wear a uniform at school.” Should / Ought to - Mild obligation or advice. “You should revise your notes.” / “We ought to help others.” Need not - No obligation. “You need not bring a textbook - one is provided.”
Group 4: Possibility and Probability
May - Real possibility. “It may rain this afternoon.” Might - Smaller possibility, less certain than may. “She might come to the event.” Could - Possibility among options. “This could be the answer.” Must - Strong logical deduction. “He studied all week - he must be tired.” Can’t / Cannot - Logical impossibility. “That can’t be right.”
Group 5: Future Intention and Prediction
Will - Decisions, promises, predictions. “I will call you tonight.” Shall - Formal offers or suggestions (mainly British English). “Shall we begin?” Would - Polite requests, hypothetical situations. “Would you like some tea?” / “I would visit if I could.”
Design in Canva
- Five sections, one per function group.
- Each section in a distinct color.
- Each modal listed with a one-sentence example that makes its meaning obvious.
- Notes on formality and strength shown as visual indicators (e.g., stronger obligation = thicker border, darker shade).
Required Elements
- All five function groups covered.
- At least the key modals in each group with examples.
- Formality or strength notes where relevant (may vs. can for permission; must vs. should for obligation).
- Title: “Modal Verbs.”