Grade 4 - Grammar

Grade 4 Can, May, and Must Worksheet

6 printable versions - Challenge Me - About 6 minutes each

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Can, May, and Must

Grade 4 - Grammar - Challenge Me

Worksheet 1
  1. Which modal auxiliary best completes the sentence? The solar oven ___ warm the cracker when sunlight reaches the black paper.

  2. In this context, what does "may" show: asking to borrow a class tool?

  3. Which sentence uses "can" to show ability?

  4. Which sentence uses "may" to show permission?

  5. Which sentence uses "must" to show necessity?

  6. Which modal auxiliary best completes the sentence? Writers ___ cite the source when they use a fact from it.

  7. In this context, what does "can" show: showing what the class is able to finish?

  8. Which sentence uses "can" to show ability?

  9. Which sentence uses "may" to show permission?

  10. Which sentence uses "must" to show necessity?

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About this worksheet

Modal auxiliaries such as can, may, and must help writers show ability, permission, possibility, or necessity matters in fourth grade because students are writing longer paragraphs and need sentence choices that guide a reader without confusion. Fourth graders may use can for every situation, even when the sentence is really asking permission or showing that something is required. This worksheet keeps the work inside meaningful sentences rather than isolated labels. Students choose can, may, and must in context, identify what each modal means, and compare sentences where the modal changes the message. The items rotate across identifying the feature, choosing the correct revision, explaining how the word or mark works, and rejecting common distractors. Support versions use familiar school contexts and short sentences. Standard and challenge versions add closer choices, more varied wording, and sentences where one nearby word can tempt a careless answer. Ask your child to read the whole sentence aloud before choosing. Then have them name the rule that made the answer work, because grammar becomes useful when it improves real writing.

What your child will learn

  • Use can for ability
  • Use may for permission or possibility
  • Use must for necessity
  • Explain how a modal changes meaning

Worked example

'Students may use the hand lens' gives permission, but 'Students must return it' shows a requirement.

Common mistake

Choosing can when the sentence is about permission or a rule.

Helpful hint

Ask whether the sentence means able to, allowed to, or required to.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with can, may, and must?
Choosing can when the sentence is about permission or a rule.
How can I help my child with can, may, and must?
Ask whether the sentence means able to, allowed to, or required to.
Are these 4th grade grammar worksheets free to print?
Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

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