UK K12 GCSE/A-Level: Year 5 KS2 English - Grammar, Relative Clauses Modal Verbs

Learning objectives

By the end of this topic, students will be able to:

• Identify and explain the purpose of relative clauses in sentences
• Use relative clauses to provide additional information about nouns
• Understand the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses
• Use modal verbs to express possibility, necessity, and obligation
• Identify and explain the use of modal verbs in sentences
• Use modal verbs to express degrees of certainty and probability

Core concepts

Relative Clauses

A relative clause is a clause that provides additional information about a noun in a sentence. It is introduced by a relativizer, such as who, which, or that.

There are two types of relative clauses: restrictive and non-restrictive.

• A restrictive relative clause provides essential information about the noun, and is usually introduced by that.
• A non-restrictive relative clause provides additional information about the noun, and is usually introduced by who, which, or that.

Example: The book that I read last week is excellent.

In this sentence, the relative clause that I read last week provides essential information about the book, and is therefore a restrictive relative clause.

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are used to express possibility, necessity, and obligation. They include can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, and would.

• Can and could express ability or possibility.
• May and might express permission or possibility.
• Shall and should express necessity or obligation.
• Will and would express future possibility or certainty.

Example: I can speak French fluently.

In this sentence, the modal verb can expresses ability or possibility.

Using Relative Clauses and Modal Verbs Together

Relative clauses and modal verbs can be used together to express complex ideas.

Example: If I can speak French fluently, I may be able to get a job in Paris.

In this sentence, the modal verb can expresses ability or possibility, and the relative clause If I speak French fluently provides additional information about the condition.

Worked examples

Example 1: Relative Clauses

Complete the sentence with a restrictive relative clause:

The book _______ I read last week is excellent.

Answer: that

Explanation: The relative clause that I read last week provides essential information about the book, and is therefore a restrictive relative clause.

Example 2: Modal Verbs

Complete the sentence with a modal verb:

If I _______ speak French fluently, I may be able to get a job in Paris.

Answer: can

Explanation: The modal verb can expresses ability or possibility, and the relative clause If I speak French fluently provides additional information about the condition.

Example 3: Using Relative Clauses and Modal Verbs Together

Complete the sentence with a relative clause and a modal verb:

If I _______ speak French fluently, I may be able to get a job in Paris.

Answer: can

Explanation: The modal verb can expresses ability or possibility, and the relative clause If I speak French fluently provides additional information about the condition.

Common misconceptions

• Some students may think that all relative clauses are non-restrictive, but this is not the case. Restrictive relative clauses provide essential information about the noun.
• Some students may think that all modal verbs express possibility, but this is not the case. Modal verbs can also express necessity or obligation.
• Some students may think that relative clauses and modal verbs cannot be used together, but this is not the case. They can be used together to express complex ideas.

Exam tips

• Make sure to identify the type of relative clause used in a sentence (restrictive or non-restrictive).
• Make sure to use the correct modal verb to express the intended meaning (possibility, necessity, or obligation).
• Practice using relative clauses and modal verbs together to express complex ideas.

MCQs with explanations

MCQ 1: [F] Relative Clauses

What type of relative clause is used in the sentence: "The book that I read last week is excellent"?

A) Restrictive B) Non-restrictive C) Relative D) Adjective

Answer: A) Restrictive

Why the distractors fail: B) Non-restrictive is incorrect because the relative clause provides essential information about the book. C) Relative is incorrect because it is a type of clause, not a type of relative clause. D) Adjective is incorrect because it is not a type of relative clause.

MCQ 2: [H] Modal Verbs

What modal verb is used to express permission or possibility?

A) Can B) May C) Shall D) Will

Answer: B) May

Why the distractors fail: A) Can is incorrect because it expresses ability or possibility. C) Shall is incorrect because it expresses necessity or obligation. D) Will is incorrect because it expresses future possibility or certainty.

MCQ 3: [F] Relative Clauses and Modal Verbs

Complete the sentence with a relative clause and a modal verb:

If I __ speak French fluently, I __ be able to get a job in Paris.

A) Can, may B) Can, will C) May, can D) Shall, would

Answer: A) Can, may

Why the distractors fail: B) Can, will is incorrect because it expresses future possibility or certainty. C) May, can is incorrect because it uses the wrong modal verb to express permission or possibility. D) Shall, would is incorrect because it expresses necessity or obligation and future possibility or certainty.

MCQ 4: [H] Modal Verbs

What modal verb is used to express necessity or obligation?

A) Can B) May C) Shall D) Will

Answer: C) Shall

Why the distractors fail: A) Can is incorrect because it expresses ability or possibility. B) May is incorrect because it expresses permission or possibility. D) Will is incorrect because it expresses future possibility or certainty.

MCQ 5: [F] Relative Clauses and Modal Verbs

Complete the sentence with a relative clause and a modal verb:

If I __ speak French fluently, I __ be able to get a job in Paris.

A) Can, may B) May, can C) Shall, would D) Will, shall

Answer: A) Can, may

Why the distractors fail: B) May, can is incorrect because it uses the wrong modal verb to express permission or possibility. C) Shall, would is incorrect because it expresses necessity or obligation and future possibility or certainty. D) Will, shall is incorrect because it expresses future possibility or certainty and necessity or obligation.

Short-answer questions

Question 1

Explain the difference between a restrictive and a non-restrictive relative clause.

Answer: A restrictive relative clause provides essential information about the noun, and is usually introduced by that. A non-restrictive relative clause provides additional information about the noun, and is usually introduced by who, which, or that.

Question 2

Explain the use of modal verbs to express possibility, necessity, and obligation.

Answer: Modal verbs are used to express possibility, necessity, and obligation. Can and could express ability or possibility. May and might express permission or possibility. Shall and should express necessity or obligation. Will and would express future possibility or certainty.

Question 3

Explain how relative clauses and modal verbs can be used together to express complex ideas.

Answer: Relative clauses and modal verbs can be used together to express complex ideas. For example: "If I can speak French fluently, I may be able to get a job in Paris." In this sentence, the modal verb can expresses ability or possibility, and the relative clause If I speak French fluently provides additional information about the condition.