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Tips for crafting a compelling and authentic personal essay.

How to write an essay about yourself

Writing an essay about yourself can be a daunting task, but when done right, it can be a powerful tool to showcase who you are and what makes you unique. Whether you’re applying for college, a scholarship, or a job, a well-crafted essay can help you stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

When writing a personal essay, it’s important to strike a balance between being informative and engaging. You want to provide the reader with insight into your background, experiences, and goals, while also keeping them interested and invested in your story. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of writing a compelling essay about yourself, from brainstorming ideas to polishing your final draft.

Essential Tips for Crafting

When crafting a compelling essay about yourself, it is important to think about your audience and what message you want to convey. Here are some essential tips to help you create an engaging and authentic essay:

A Powerful Personal Essay

Writing a powerful personal essay is a way to express your unique voice and share your personal experiences with the world. By weaving together your thoughts, emotions, and reflections, you can create a compelling narrative that resonates with your audience. To craft a powerful personal essay, start by reflecting on your own experiences and exploring the themes that matter to you. Pay attention to the details and emotions that make your story come alive. Be honest and vulnerable in your writing, as authenticity is key to connecting with your readers. Additionally, consider the structure of your essay and how you can effectively organize your thoughts to engage your audience from beginning to end. By following these tips and staying true to your voice, you can create a powerful personal essay that leaves a lasting impact on your readers.

Choose a Unique Aspect

When writing an essay about yourself, it’s important to focus on a unique aspect of your personality or experiences that sets you apart from others. This could be a specific skill, talent, or life experience that has had a significant impact on your life. By choosing a unique aspect to highlight, you can make your essay more compelling and memorable to the reader. It’s important to showcase what makes you different and showcase your individuality in a way that will capture the reader’s attention.

of Your Personality

When writing about your personality, it’s important to showcase your unique traits and qualities. Describe what sets you apart from others, whether it’s your creativity, resilience, sense of humor, or compassion. Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate these characteristics and provide insight into who you are as a person.

Highlight your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses – this shows self-awareness and honesty. Discuss how your personality has evolved over time and mention any experiences that have had a significant impact on shaping who you are today. Remember to be authentic and genuine in your portrayal of yourself as this will make your essay more compelling and engaging to the reader.

Reflect Deeply on

When writing an essay about yourself, it is crucial to take the time to reflect deeply on your life experiences, values, beliefs, and goals. Consider the events that have shaped you into the person you are today, both positive and negative. Think about your strengths and weaknesses, your passions and interests, and how they have influenced your decisions and actions. Reflecting on your personal journey will help you uncover meaningful insights that can make your essay more compelling and authentic.

Your Life Experiences

Your Life Experiences

When it comes to writing an essay about yourself, one of the most compelling aspects to focus on is your life experiences. These experiences shape who you are and provide unique insights into your character. Reflect on significant moments, challenges you’ve overcome, or memorable events that have had a lasting impact on your life.

  • Consider discussing pivotal moments that have influenced your beliefs and values.
  • Share personal anecdotes that highlight your strengths and resilience.
  • Explore how your life experiences have shaped your goals, aspirations, and ambitions.

By sharing your life experiences in your essay, you can showcase your individuality and demonstrate what sets you apart from others. Be genuine, reflective, and honest in recounting the events that have shaped your journey and contributed to the person you are today.

Create a Compelling

When crafting an essay about yourself, it is essential to create a compelling narrative that captures the attention of the reader from the very beginning. Start by brainstorming unique and engaging personal experiences or qualities that you want to highlight in your essay. Consider including vivid anecdotes, insightful reflections, and impactful moments that showcase your character and achievements. Remember to be authentic and sincere in your writing, as this will resonate with your audience and make your essay more relatable. By creating a compelling narrative, you can effectively communicate your story and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Narrative Structure

The narrative structure is crucial when writing an essay about yourself. It helps to create a compelling and engaging story that showcases your unique qualities and experiences. Start by introducing the main theme or message you want to convey in your essay. Then, build a coherent storyline that highlights significant events or moments in your life. Use descriptive language and vivid details to bring your story to life and make it more relatable to the readers. Include a clear beginning, middle, and end to ensure that your essay follows a logical progression and captivates the audience throughout.

Emphasize the lessons you’ve learned from your experiences and how they have shaped your character and outlook on life. Connect these insights to your personal growth and development, demonstrating your resilience, determination, and self-awareness. End your essay on a reflective note, highlighting the impact of your journey on who you are today and what you aspire to achieve in the future. By following a strong narrative structure, you can craft a captivating essay that showcases your authenticity and leaves a lasting impression on the readers.

Highlight Your

When writing an essay about yourself, it is essential to highlight your unique qualities and experiences that set you apart from others. Consider including personal anecdotes, achievements, strengths, and challenges that have shaped your identity. Focus on showcasing your authenticity and individuality to make your essay compelling and engaging.

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Part Three Editing / Grammar Skills

Unit 15 Modals

Learning Objectives

  • To understand what modals are and what principles they follow
  • To learn the challenges and strategies in using appropriate modals
  • To learn the meanings and uses of modals and modal-like expressions through multiple examples
  • To practice using modals through  a variety of writing situations

showcase of culture artifacts at entrance of ESL & Linguistics Department at Harper College

The following ten sentences are about some customs from different countries. The modal and main verb are bold-faced in each sentence. If the bold-faced part is correct, choose “correct”.  If not, choose the other answer. After you finish one sentence, you will get instant feedback on your answer before the next sentence. If you make mistakes, you can retry all the questions or see all the answers at the end of the pre-test.

II. Principles of Using Modals

As you have learned in Unit 9 Verb Basics in Academic Writing ( Open Unit 9 here ) , modals are an important part of the verb family. They are considered helping verbs, also called auxiliary verbs. Most modals follow the following principles:

1. They cannot exist by themselves. They are followed by the base form of main verbs to show different meanings and tones.

modal + base form of main verb = complete verb

  • In the United States, people should call ahead before visiting someone. ( no “calls, called, calling, to call” )
  • People must not show the “OK” gesture [1] with the thumb and index finger in Mexico. ( no “shows, showed, showing, to show” )

2. Contractions are common are in modals, such as “shouldn’t” and “mustn’t”. However, “may” and “might” do not have a contraction form. It is wrong to write “mayn’t” and “mightn’t”.

two words "yes" and "no" with "yes" crossed out

  • Small children mayn’t stay ( may not stay ) alone at home in the United States.
  • It mightn’t be ( might not be ) a good idea for children to stay in their friend’s home overnight.

3. Some expressions are called modal-like expressions. There is a “to” in them, and the base form of the verb follows the “to”. These expressions include:  be able to, be supposed to, have to, have got to, ought to, and some others.

  • People have to come on time for an appointment in the United States.
  • They are supposed to explain the reasons if they are late.

4. Some modals and modal-like expressions are often used in conversations only.

  • In Thailand, people had better not touch the head of a statue.
  • In the U.S. restaurants, customers have got to tip the waiters and waitresses.

Exercise 1. The following sentences are about dining customs in some countries. There are mistakes in the form of modals and main verbs. Identify each mistake by underlining the whole verb (modal + main verb) and then correct the mistake. If the main verb is missing, add it.

Example :   

People can to learn ( can learn ) about different customs and traditions when they travel abroad.

a plate of food with a fork and a knife

  • Dinning traditions may the most interesting to most people.
  • In Kenya, guests should to wash their hands both before and after the meal. They cannot sitting with their feet and toes pointing toward any of the other guests or the food. Kenyans do not use utensils [2] . They eat with their right hand. They must not to use their left hand during the whole meal.
  • Americans and Europeans have opposite dinning etiquettes [3] . Americans should holds the knife in their right hand and the fork in their left hand, but the Europeans are suppose to hold the knife in their left hand and the fork in their right hand.
  • People in Morocco practice communal [4] eating. This means that they eat from the communal bowl closest to them. A person must eats using his or her right hand. The left hand mayn’t be used to get food. If a bone is taken, the person supposed to suck the marrow [5] from it.

III. Challenges in Learning Modals and the Strategies in Using Them

1. The same modal may have different meanings in different contexts.

  • I can drive a car because I have a driver’s license. (permission)
  • I can drive a car because I know how to drive. (ability)

2. The same meaning can be expressed with different modals, but the tone or level of strength is different.

  • In order to drive in the U.S, a person must have a driver’s license. (stronger)
  • In order to drive in the U.S, a person has to have a driver’s license. (less strong)

3. Some modals have the appearance of past tense, but they have a present or future meaning.

  • Most cultural traditions stay for generations, but some might change quickly.
  • People had better learn the customs of another country when they travel there.

Strategies:

1. Understand a modal, its meaning, its time (past, present, future), and its form together as a “package”.

  • In many countries in the past, young people had to follow the custom of the arranged marriage.
  • In some countries nowadays and in the near future, some young people still must follow the custom of the arranged marriage.

In both sentences, “had to follow” and “must follow” have the same meaning: obligation, responsibility, necessity.

However, the first sentence shows the meaning in the past, and its form is “had to + follow”.

In the second sentence, the same meaning is expressed in present and future sense, and its form is “must + follow”.

Therefore, try not to study modals in isolation [6] . Instead, understand them in the context and study the “package”.

2. Use the same strategy as in learning other aspects of English: practice, practice, and practice.

IV. Uses of Modals and Modal-Like Expressions

Meaning : advice, suggestions

  • In the United States, customers should tip the waiters or waitresses for their service. (present)
  • Customers ought to tip the waiters or waitresses for their service. (less common) (present)
  • They can tip /could tip 10 – 20% of the food bill. (present, softer tone)
  • Customers should not leave the restaurant without tipping the waiters or waitresses. (present)

Exercise 2. Give at least two suggestions for each of the following situations.

One of your classmates is going to visit your country as a tourist in summer .

Suggestion #1 :  You should bring a few extra bottles of sunscreen because my country Colombia is near the equator and  the sun is very intense.

Suggestion #2:   You ought to try bandeja paisa. It is Colombia’s unofficial national dish.

  • One of your siblings has found an American boyfriend (or girlfriend)
  • One of your relatives is planning to study at Harper College for the first time.
  • One of your American friends is going to study at a university in your native country.
  • One of your professors is considering studying your native language.
  • One of your friends is nervous about meeting his parents-in-law for the first time.

Meaning: abilities 

A 19th-century illustrated Sanskrit manuscript from the Bhagavad Gita, composed c. 400 BCE – 200 BCE.

  • There are many languages in India. Many people there can speak more than 5 different ones. (present)
  • They are able to speak Hindi, English, and some regional dialects. (present)
  • The Indian government recognizes twenty-three official languages, but most people cannot speak all of them. (present)
  • People in ancient Indian could speak Sanskrit, one of the earliest languages. (past)
  • They were able to speak Sanskrit as early as 2000 BC. (past)

Meaning: permissions

  • In Canada, college students can address / may address their professors by the first name. (present)
  • In Canada, college students could not drink alcohol in class fifty years ago, and they still cannot . (past, present)
  • In Ukraine, college students cannot call / may not call their professors by the first name. It is considered very impolite. (present)

Exercise 3. Finish the following sentences to express ability and permission.

When I was a child, I could climb a tree . (ability)

  • When I was a child, I could ____________________. (ability)
  • When I was a child, I could not ____________________ (ability)
  • Now I am an adult. I can ____________________ (ability)
  • Now I am an adult. I cannot ____________________. (ability)
  • When I was a student in my home country, I could ____________________ (permission)
  • When I was a student in my home country, I could not ____________________ (permission)
  • Now I am a student in the U.S. I can ____________________ (permission)
  • Now I am a student in the U.S. I cannot ____________________ (permission)

Meaning: necessity, obligation, responsibility

  • In Iraqi formal greetings, people must use a person’s surname and title, for example, Dr. Kazem. (present)
  • Men have to stand to greet a woman when she enters the room. (present)
  • A long time ago in Iraq, everyone had to stand when an elderly person arrived. This custom has remained to this day. (past)
  • In Iraqi culture, people do not have to kiss each other as a way of greeting. Handshaking is common. (present)

three Mongolia gers

Meaning: prohibition [7]

  • People must not whistle inside a Mongolian ger, a round-shaped dwelling. (present)
  • In a ger, people must not point their feet to the north end. (present)

Exercise 4. Discuss the following questions. What are the answers in your home country? What are the answers in the United States?

  • Must people get married first if they want to live together?
  • Do people have to get their parents’ permission to get married?
  • Must men serve in the military?
  • Do school children have to wear uniforms?
  • What are the things you must not do on the street?
  • What are the things you must not do during a test?
  • What are the questions you must not ask a lady?

Meaning: possibilities

  • In Japan, parents do not kiss each other in front of their children. They must think / may think / might think / could think it improper [8] for the children to see their intimacy [9] . (present)
  • This custom may change / might change /could change in the near future. The young generation should welcome / may welcome / might welcome / could welcome this change. (future)
  • Some words are the same in writing in both Chinese and Japanese. However, the meanings of these words may not be / might not be the same. (present)

Meaning: expectations

  • On March 8, the International Women’s Day, men are supposed to buy flowers for women in Russia and many other Eastern European countries. (present)
  • On that day, women are not supposed to do much housework. They are supposed to take a day off. (present)
  • Last year, Natalia’s husband was supposed to buy flowers for her, but he forgot. (past)

Meaning: preferences

  • In some countries, people prefer arranged marriages. Parents would rather pick someone as their future son-in-law or daughter-in-law than let their child decide. (present)
  • Some young people would rather not get into a marriage than marry someone they do not love. (present)

Exercise 5. Write sentences according to the instructions.

  • Use modals of possibility to write three guesses why seafood is popular on Valentine’s Day in the U.S.
  • Use modals of expectation to write three things you are supposed to know when you go to an American family for dinner.
  • Use modals of preference to write three choices of food on New Year’s Eve in your home country.

V. Unit Review Practice

Exercise 6. Read the following sayings. Each contains a modal. Discuss what the saying means and whether you agree with it. Do you have similar sayings in your native language? How do you say them? If you can think of additional sayings with modals, please list them below.

a dog balancing a ball

  • You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
  • You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
  • You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
  • Beggars can’t be choosers.
  • People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
  • Children should be seen, not heard.
  • Bitter pills may have blessed effects.
  • Be careful what you wish for; you just might get it.

________________________________________

Exercise 7.  The following sentences are about school uniforms. The modals and main verbs are underlined.  Discuss their different meanings and time references (past, present, future) in the context. The first one is an example.

four girls in school uniform doing hand signs

  • School uniforms could be ( possibility, present) an important part of school traditions. Students in some schools must wear the school uniform. They may not attend school without their uniform. The uniform must be important.
  • A uniform reflects [10] the school and its reputation. Therefore, students are supposed to be in their best behavior.
  • Students with totally different uniforms cannot belong to the same school even though they may be siblings. They must not exchange their uniforms with students from other schools.
  • In some schools, uniforms are optional. Students may choose to wear one. They could also wear their own clothes. Some students would rather have the uniform. They would rather not spen d half an hour each morning choosing what to wear.
  • In most cases, uniforms are not free. Students have to purchase them. Most families are able to afford them, but some are not. This might increase the financial burden for some families.
  • Even though the students must wear their uniform while in school, they do not have to wear one after school.
  • Should schools require uniforms? There have been many debates [11] . If most students do not like them, they may disappear in the near future. Otherwise, they should stay for a long, long time.

Exercise 8. The follow is an essay on how high school students in different countries spend time in the summer.  Underlined the modals and their main verbs.  Then discuss what they means in the context and whether they express present, past, or future time. The first one is an example.

After you finish reading and understanding the first three paragraphs, write a new supporting paragraph about a person you know who spent last summer vacationing and relaxing. Then write a conclusion for the essay.  Include at least five modals and modal-like expressions. You may write in the box below or in your own notebook.   (Warning: Once you leave this page, you will lose what you have written in the box.)

sunglasses on sand

How to Spend the Summer?

          High school students in different countries may spend (possibility, present) their summer very differently. Some might value life experiences by working on a job, some could use the time catching up with their academic work, and others might consider it an opportunity to relax and have fun. How they spend their summer might reflect some of the customs and values of their cultures.

          It is common for many high school students in the United States to work during the summer months. They could work in any type of job: food, travel, secretarial, health care, summer camp, and many others. Last summer, Joan worked as a summer camp activity leader. She was happy that the job provided her with valuable work experience as well as a small income. Both the experience and the money should be helpful in her future college study.

          In Korea, however, it is not usual for high school students to hold a job in summer. They are supposed to take extra classes to prepare for university. Last summer, Ji-hoon kept himself busy by taking a few science and English classes in a cram school. Though he was very busy, he had to do so. He was determined to be better prepared for his university entrance exam.

Exercise 9. Choose two of the following topics and write a paragraph for each. Use proper modals.

  • Describe one of the holiday dinning traditions in your native country.
  • Describe some customs about naming a baby in your native country.
  • Explain one of the taboos [12] for a wedding ceremony in your native country.
  • Some people say that elderly parents should live with their adult children. Do you agree or disagree? Why do you think so?
  • In America, it is common to “go Dutch” (split the food bill in the restaurant) when people dine out. Is this practice common in your native culture? If not, why not? who usually pays for the meals?
  • Write about the joys and challenges of living in two cultures (your native culture and the American culture). What was your biggest cultural shock during your first two weeks in the U.S.?

  NSNT Practice

a pen writing in a notebook

Go to The NSNT Free Writing Approach and Additional Weekly Prompts for Writing in Appendix A. ( Open Appendix A here. ) Choose two topics that involve modals. You may start with the NSNT approach. Then revise and edit your paragraphs. Pay attention to the use of modals. You are encouraged to share your writing with your partner and help each other improve.

Vocabulary Review

a page in a dictionary

The words here have appeared in this unit.  The best way to learn them is to guess the meaning of each word from the context.  Then hover your computer mouse over the number beside each word to check its meaning and part of speech. These words are also listed in the footnote area at the end of each unit.

Here, you can use the flashcards below to review these words.

  • Modals are helping verbs (also called auxiliary verbs). They must be used with a main verb to serve as the complete verb in a sentence: Modal + Main Verb = Complete Verb
  • A modal is followed by the base form of the main verb.
  • The same modals may mean differently in different contexts, and some others may share similar meanings but have differences in tone and level of emphasis.
  • Some modals have their unique forms of past tense. Some of them look like the past tense but mean present or future.
  • Do not use “mayn’t” and “mightn’t”.
  • A good strategy is to understand modals is by learning each modal, its meaning, its time reference, and its form together as a “package”.

Media Attributions

  • showcase of culture artifacts at entrance of ESL Department at Harper College © Lin Cui is licensed under a CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license
  • two words “yes” and “no” with “yes” crossed out © Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
  • a plate of food with a fork and a knife © medium:after_download_modal.copy_text.photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/boiled-potatoes-with-salad-and-meat-rissole-4210862/
  • A 19th-century illustrated Sanskrit manuscript from the Bhagavad Gita, composed c. 400 BCE – 200 BCE. © Unknown artist is licensed under a Public Domain license
  • three Mongolia gers © Photo by Audrius Sutkus on Unsplash
  • a dog balancing a ball © Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
  • four girls in school uniform doing hand signs © Photo by 周 康 from Pexels
  • sunglasses on sand © Photo by Ylanite Koppens from Pexels
  • a pen writing in a notebook © Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
  • a page in a dictionary © Pixabay
  • gesture: noun, a movement of hands, arms, or another part of the body to express an idea or emotion ↵
  • utensil: noun, a dining tool such as a spoon or a fork ↵
  • etiquette: noun, a rule or tradition for proper social behavior ↵
  • communal: adjective, used or shared by everyone in the group ↵
  • marrow: noun, the soft, fatty part inside a bone ↵
  • in isolation: prepositional phrase, separately, apart from each other ↵
  • prohibition: noun, things that are not allowed ↵
  • improper: adjective, not appropriate, not right ↵
  • intimacy: noun, a very close, loving relationship ↵
  • reflect: verb, show, represent ↵
  • debate: noun, an argument ↵
  • taboo: noun, an unacceptable word or behavior especially in a group setting ↵

Building Academic Writing Skills Copyright © 2022 by Cui, Lin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how do i write a good essay about myself.

I'm struggling with writing my college essay. How can I write a compelling and genuine essay about myself without it sounding boring or braggy? Any tips would really help!

First, I understand that writing a personal essay can be challenging, but with a little guidance and practice, you can create a compelling piece. Here are some steps to help you write a strong essay:

1. Choose a unique angle: Instead of providing a broad overview of your life, focus on a specific experience, interest, or aspect of your personality that has shaped who you are. This will make your essay more focused and memorable.

2. Show, don't tell: Instead of simply stating your qualities, provide concrete examples of how you've demonstrated those characteristics. Use vivid details, anecdotes, and sensory language to bring your story to life.

3. Be authentic: Be genuine in your writing and don't try to present yourself as someone you're not. Admissions officers want to get to know the real you, so let your personality shine through.

4. Reflect on your experiences: Point out the lessons you've learned and how those experiences have influenced your growth and decision-making. This will show maturity and self-awareness, which are traits that colleges value.

5. Avoid clichés: Steer clear of overused phrases, ideas, or experiences. Make sure your essay stands out by giving it a fresh and original perspective.

6. Edit and revise: Once you have a draft of your essay, review it for clarity, grammar, punctuation, and flow. Make sure that each paragraph supports the central theme of your essay and that your writing is concise and engaging.

7. Get feedback: Share your essay with teachers, family members, or friends to gain different perspectives. Incorporate their feedback to help refine your essay and ensure it's an accurate representation of yourself.

For example, if you have a passion for community service, you might write about a specific volunteer experience that had a significant impact on you. Talk about the challenges you faced, the people you helped, and the lessons you learned. Make sure to incorporate personal stories and reflections to give your essay depth and substance.

Remember, a good college essay showcases your personality, values, and growth. By following these steps, you can create a compelling and genuine essay that will leave a lasting impression on admissions officers. Good luck!

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A Complete Guide to Modal Verbs

Posted by David S. Wills | Sep 22, 2023 | Grammar | 0

A Complete Guide to Modal Verbs

Have you ever wondered how to talk about possibility, obligation, or ability in English? If so, welcome to the world of modal verbs! Modal verbs are incredibly versatile and essential for expressing various tones, moods, and attitudes in English. In this guide, we will explore what modal verbs are, delve into their usage, and examine some common rules and examples.

Table of Contents

What are modal verbs, types of modal verbs, rules for using modal verbs, common mistakes.

Modal verbs are auxiliary, or “helping,” verbs that modify the main verb in a sentence to express possibility, ability, necessity, or other conditions. These include words like “can,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “shall,” “should,” “may,” “might,” and “must.”

  • This shows ability.
  • This is a suggestion.

Additional Examples:

  • Can : She can play the piano well.
  • Could : When she was younger, she could climb trees easily.

Possibility and Speculation

  • May : It may rain tomorrow.
  • Might : I might visit my grandparents this weekend.
  • Can : Can I use your phone?
  • May : May I come in?

Obligation and Necessity

  • Must : You must report to the office immediately.
  • Have to : I have to pick up my kids from school.

Prohibition

  • Cannot/Can’t : You can’t park here.
  • Mustn’t : You mustn’t smoke in this area.

Offers and Invitations

  • Will : Will you have some coffee?
  • Would : Would you like to join us for dinner?

Suggestions

  • Shall : Shall we go for a walk?
  • Should : We should take a break.
  • Could : Could you please pass the salt?
  • Would : Would you mind helping me with this?

Future Probability

  • Will : She will probably come to the party.
  • Shall : They shall succeed with enough effort.

Past Probability

  • Would have : She would have succeeded if she had tried.
  • Could have : He could have won the race but decided to stop and help an injured runner

a list of modal verbs

These examples showcase the various contexts and conditions in which modal verbs are often used. They allow for a nuanced expression of mood, probability, ability, necessity, and more. By understanding how to use them appropriately, you can convey your ideas and attitudes much more clearly and effectively. Remember that accuracy is very important!

Possibility

  • Can : Can you finish the project by tomorrow?
  • Might : He might come to the party later.
  • Can : Maria can speak four languages.
  • Could : I could run fast when I was young.
  • Must : We must complete the assignment.
  • Have to : They have to take the medicine.

Request and Offers

  • Will : Will you marry me?
  • Would : Would you like some tea?
  • May : You may find the book interesting.
  • Could : They could arrive late due to traffic.
  • Will be able to : She will be able to finish the project by next week.
  • Would be able to : If she had more time, she would be able to complete it sooner.
  • Should : You should take an umbrella; it looks like it’ll rain.
  • Ought to : They ought to apologise for their behaviour.
  • Can : Can you help me with my homework?
  • Shall : Shall I open the window for you?

These additional examples should provide a broader understanding of the different ways modal verbs can be employed for various purposes. Whether you’re indicating possibility, showing ability, emphasising necessity, or making requests and offers, modal verbs are your go-to tool for nuanced communication.

  • No Conjugation : Modal verbs do not change form based on the subject.
  • Incorrect: She cans swim.
  • Correct: She can swim.
  • Incorrect : He wills go to the market.
  • Correct : He will go to the market.
  • Incorrect : They musts complete the project by tomorrow.
  • Correct : They must complete the project by tomorrow.
  • Incorrect : She coulds read when she was four.
  • Correct : She could read when she was four.
  • Incorrect : We cans see the mountains from here.
  • Correct : We can see the mountains from here.

As you can see, the modal verb stays the same form irrespective of the subject, thus making it simpler than regular verbs, which often require conjugation based on the subject. (Learn more in this article on subject-verb agreement .) Understanding this rule is essential as it simplifies the process of constructing sentences.

  • Double Modals Are Rare : Using two modal verbs together is generally avoided.
  • Incorrect: She might can go.
  • Correct: She might be able to go.
  • Incorrect : They should must complete the project.
  • Correct : They should complete the project. / They must complete the project.
  • Incorrect : He will can join us later.
  • Correct : He will be able to join us later.
  • Incorrect : She may should attend the meeting.
  • Correct : She may need to attend the meeting. / She should attend the meeting.
  • Incorrect : We could will win the game.
  • Correct : We could win the game. / We will probably win the game.
  • Incorrect : I would can help you with that.
  • Correct : I would be able to help you with that.

By avoiding double modals, the sentences remain clearer and easier to understand. If you feel the need to use two modal-like ideas, consider replacing one with an equivalent phrase, like “be able to,” “have to,” or “need to,” among others. This will help you maintain the clarity and grammatical integrity of your sentences.

  • Always Use Base Form : Always use the base form of the main verb after a modal.
  • Incorrect: He must to go.
  • Correct: He must go.
  • Incorrect : She can runs fast.
  • Correct : She can run fast.
  • Incorrect : They should eats healthily.
  • Correct : They should eat healthily.
  • Incorrect : We will sees you tomorrow.
  • Correct : We will see you tomorrow.
  • Incorrect : He might goes there.
  • Correct : He might go there.
  • Incorrect : She would likes some coffee.
  • Correct : She would like some coffee.

As shown, the main verb that follows a modal should always be in its base form. This is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences. Ensuring you follow this rule will make your English sound more natural and accurate. It will also help you to get a better score for Grammatical Range and Accuracy .

Confusing “Should” and “Must”

  • You should eat more fruits.
  • You must obey the law.

“Should” for Advice or Recommendation

  • Here, “should” offers a suggestion for maintaining good health.
  • In this example, “should” advises more frequent contact with parents.
  • “Should” here recommends contemplating alternative approaches.
  • This is a suggestion aimed at a better environmental future.

“Must” for Stronger Necessity or Obligation

  • “Must” indicates a firm deadline that is non-negotiable.
  • Here, “must” emphasises the crucial nature of taking medication for health.
  • The necessity of being punctual for the meeting is stressed by using “must.”
  • This statement indicates an urgent need to act for environmental reasons.

As you can see, “should” is less forceful and is generally used for giving advice or making recommendations. In contrast, “must” implies a stronger sense of obligation or necessity. Choosing the appropriate modal verb can greatly influence the tone and meaning of your sentences.

Confusing “would” and “could”

These two modals are often confused by English learners. This is understandable because they can have slightly similar meanings. Both can be used in polite requests and both can appear in conditionals .

However, the main difference is that “could” shows possibility and “would” shows intention. For example:

  • This shows the intention to do something.  
  • This shows the possibility of being able to do it.

Confusing “can” and “would

These two modals are often confused. Again, it comes down to their basic function: “can” shows the ability to do something. Meanwhile, “would” has a range of uses as we can see above.

Here’s a visual lesson that I made for my social media followers:

essay about yourself using modals

Misplacing the Modal Verb

Sometimes, beginners struggle with placing a modal verb in a sentence.

  • Incorrect: He swim can.
  • Correct: He can swim.
  • Incorrect: She drive should carefully.
  • Here, “should” should be placed before the main verb “drive” to offer advice about driving.
  • Incorrect: They must go will to college.
  • “Must” should directly precede the main verb “go” to express necessity.
  • Incorrect: You sing can well.
  • The modal “can” should come before the main verb “sing” to indicate ability.
  • Incorrect: He soon will arrive.
  • “Will” should be placed right before “arrive” to denote future action.
  • Incorrect: We may late be.
  • The modal “may” should directly precede the main verb “be” to express possibility.

As shown, misplacing the modal verb can cause confusion and make the sentence grammatically incorrect. Ensure that the modal verb is placed right before the main verb to maintain the intended meaning and grammatical structure of the sentence.

In summary, understanding modal verbs is essential for mastering the English language. By knowing how to use them correctly, you can express a range of ideas—from possibility to obligation—clearly and efficiently.

Remember, the key is practice. The more you use them, the more natural they will become.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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Grammar essentials: Introduction to modals

Diagram of modal verbs

What are modal verbs?

Very simply put, a  modal verb is a helping verb, also known as a type of auxiliary verb, that adds meaning to the main verb. Modals enable you to use a single main verb in different ways, or modes .

The 8 most common modals are:

(There are others, such as ought to , that are not as commonly used.)

You use modals all the time. The sentences, "I study," and, "I should study," and "I will study," all have obviously different meanings. The difference is the modal verb.

But you may not know just how versatile modals are. So, let's get into it. How do you think about them? How do you use them?

First, let's see how much you know already.

Look at the sentences below. What is the difference in meaning between a and b? [Answers are at the bottom of the page.]

Simple examples

Let's start simply. If you say, " I can dance ," the main verb is  dance , and the modal verb ,  can , adds the function of  ability .

Compare this to the sentence, " I don't dance ." Notice how dance  is still the main verb, but the modal,  don't , adds the idea of the  negative .

So modals are not like regular verbs, but they accompany and attenuate regular verbs, like auxiliaries. But auxiliaries are used to form tenses, questions and negatives, whereas modals add different ideas , as we have seen with " I can dance " above. More below about this.

Simple mistakes

Modals are unlike regular verbs in that they do not decline or conjugate like regular verbs.

  • Negatives : you can say, " I dance"  and, " I don't dance" , but while you can say, " I can dance",  you cannot say, " I can don't dance ". 
  • Time : you can say  I danced , but you cannot say  I canned dance .
  • Questions : some modals use an auxiliary, eg, " I have to go"  changes to " Do I have to go ?"; but some don't, eg, " I must go " changes to " Must I go ?"
  • Continuous form : there is no continuous form attached to the modal, eg,  I am canning dance .
  • Third person 's':  the modal does not take the extra letter, eg,  He cans  dance .

So all these reasons mean that they can be confusing, both in meaning, function and formation.

Which modal does what?

A big problem is that often one modal has many uses. For instance,  must  can be used to express many things: 

  • You must be tired after your long journey.
  • You must pay tax.
  • You must stop tapping your foot.
  • You must see the new Batman movie!"
  • Must you go so soon?

Therefore, you can see that a bad question to ask is, "how do I use must?" It's bad because there are too many possible answers. It is better to ask, "How do I express obligation?" This is a question of category.

So, let's look at the possible categories.

List of uses

Modals can be used to express the following ideas—you can call them modalities , or you can simply say  functions  or  categories. 

Looking at the categories and trying to think of an example for yourself is a kind of "backward learning." You know the necessary modals (there are just 8 basic ones), but this analysis is a way of thinking about it you might not have done before.

Take a look at each one. How many ways can you think to express it?

  • denial of permission
  • lack of obligation
  • lack of necessity
  • possibility
  • probability
  • lack of ability
  • positive assumption
  • negative assumption
  • prohibition
  • willingness

If you don't know any modals that fit into an above category, then that means you need to study it! Book a lesson with a teacher and ask, for instance, "how do I express probability?" Alternatively, you can google that question.

With time and practice, you can master modals.

Quiz Answers

  • a)  I didn’t need to go . (I knew it was not necessary for me to go and for that reason, I did not go.)  b)  I needn’t have gone . (I didn't know it was not necessary for me to go so I went.) 
  • a)  You must be very careful . (I command you to be careful.) b)  You must be very careless . (I conclude from the evidence that you are careless.)
  • a)  You shouldn’t have done that . (I am criticising the fact that you did that.)    b)  A gift ? You shouldn’t have ! (expression of surprise/gratitude at receiving an unexpected gift.)
  • a)  He could have told me . (Maybe he told me but I am not sure.) b)  He could have told me ! (I am disappointed he didn't tell me although he had the opportunity or ability to do so.)
  • a)  I would say that . (I agree.) b)  You would say that ! (It's typical of you to say that, and I disapprove somewhat.)
  • a)  I can’t tell . (I do not have permission to give you that information.) b)  I can’t tell . (I am unable to understand, or unable to differentiate between two things.)

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ESL Grammar

Modal Verbs: Useful Rules, List and Examples in English

Are you struggling to understand the concept of modal verbs? Look no further! In this article, we will dive into the basics of modal verbs and provide you with a clear understanding of their function in English grammar.

It is important to note that modal verbs have a unique set of rules that differ from regular verbs. For example, they do not use an “s” for the third person singular, and they make questions by inversion. It is also important to understand the different nuances of each modal verb and how they are used in context. So, let’s get started and explore the world of modal verbs together!

Modal Verbs

Definition of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are a special class of auxiliary verbs that are used to modify the meaning of the main verb in a sentence. They are also known as modal auxiliary verbs or simply modals. Modal verbs are used to express different kinds of meanings such as possibility, ability, permission, necessity, and more.

Modal verbs are always used in combination with ordinary verbs and they change the meaning of the verb to something different from simple fact. They are commonly used in English and are an essential part of the language.

The following are some of the most common modal verbs in English:

Each of these modal verbs has a specific meaning and usage in English. For example, “can” is used to express ability, “may” is used to express possibility, and “must” is used to express necessity.

Modal verbs are also used to create different tenses in English. For example, “could” is used to create the past conditional tense, while “will” is used to create the future tense.

It is important to note that modal verbs do not have infinitive or participle forms. They are always used in their base form, and they do not take the -ing or -ed endings.

In summary, modal verbs are a special class of auxiliary verbs that are used to modify the meaning of the main verb in a sentence. They are used to express different kinds of meanings such as possibility, ability, permission, necessity, and more. Understanding the usage of modal verbs is essential for effective communication in English.

Types of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express a range of meanings such as ability, permission, possibility, obligation, and advice. Here are the different types of modal verbs:

Modal verbs of ability express whether you are capable of doing something or not. The most common modal verbs of ability are “can” and “could.” Here are some examples:

  • You can speak English fluently.
  • I could run a marathon when I was younger.

Modal verbs of permission express whether you are allowed to do something or not. The most common modal verbs of permission are “may” and “can.” Here are some examples:

  • May I leave early today?
  • Can I borrow your car for the weekend?

Possibility

Modal verbs of possibility express the likelihood of something happening. The most common modal verbs of possibility are “may,” “might,” “could,” and “can.” Here are some examples:

  • It may rain later today.
  • The train might be delayed.
  • She could be at home.

Modal verbs of obligation express whether you are required to do something or not. The most common modal verbs of obligation are “must” and “should.” Here are some examples:

  • You must submit your report by Friday.
  • You should apologize for your mistake.

Modal verbs of advice express recommendations or suggestions. The most common modal verbs of advice are “should” and “ought to.” Here are some examples:

  • You should exercise regularly to stay healthy.
  • You ought to try the new restaurant in town.

In summary, modal verbs are essential in expressing different meanings in English. Understanding the different types of modal verbs can help you communicate more effectively and accurately.

Modal Verbs: Rules & Examples

Learn how and when to use modal verbs in English with rules and example sentences.

1. To indicate that something is probable or possible, or not so.

For example:

  • It is sunny today; it must be warm outside. = It is sunny today; it is probably warm outside.
  • His mobile is not reachable; he may/might/could be travelling by metro. = His mobile is not reachable; it is possible that he is travelling by metro.
  • This can’t be our bill. = It is not possible that this is our bill.

2. ‘Can’ and ‘could’ are used to refer to skills and abilities.

  • He can cover a hundred metres in under ten seconds.
  • My father could see perfectly before the age of fifty.
  • I can’t ride a horse.

3. ‘Must’ is used to indicate that something is necessary or of extreme importance, and ‘should’ is used to suggest that something is advisable.

  • You must do your homework.
  • You mustn’t skip school.
  • You should say sorry.
  • You shouldn’t smoke.

4. ‘Can’, ‘could’ and ‘may’ are used to ask for, give and withhold permission.

  • Can I try my hand at it?
  • Could we disperse early today?
  • You may not enter the premises.

5. ‘Will’ and ‘would’ are used to refer to habits and inclinations.

  • When I was a child, I would often climb trees.
  • I will never refuse you anything.
  • He would never do such a thing.

Note : These verbs differ from ordinary verbs in 3 respects.

  • When used with the third person singular (he, she), they don’t require the addition of an ‘s’.
  • They can be used to form questions by inverting the structure of the sentence.
  • They can be followed directly by the verb, without the use of ‘to’.

Usage of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are an essential part of English grammar. They are used to express a variety of meanings such as ability, possibility, permission, and obligation. In this section, we will discuss the usage of modal verbs in statements, questions, and negative sentences.

In Statements

Modal verbs are often used in statements to express various meanings. Here are some examples:

  • Ability: “I can speak French fluently.”
  • Possibility: “It may rain tomorrow.”
  • Permission: “You may leave the room now.”
  • Obligation: “You must finish your homework before going out.”

Note that when using modal verbs in statements, the main verb is always in its base form (infinitive) without “to.”

In Questions

Modal verbs are also commonly used in questions to ask for permission, ability, or possibility. Here are some examples:

  • Permission: “May I leave the room now?”
  • Ability: “Can you swim?”
  • Possibility: “Could it be true?”

In questions, the modal verb is usually placed at the beginning of the sentence.

In Negative Sentences

Modal verbs can also be used in negative sentences to express the absence of ability, permission, or obligation. Here are some examples:

  • Ability: “I cannot speak French fluently.”
  • Permission: “You may not leave the room now.”
  • Obligation: “You must not forget to lock the door.”

In negative sentences, the word “not” is added after the modal verb.

It is important to note that some modal verbs have different meanings depending on the context. For example, “must” can express obligation, but it can also be used to express a strong recommendation or deduction. In addition, some modal verbs have more than one form, such as “may” and “might,” which can both be used to express possibility.

Overall, modal verbs are an important part of English grammar and are used in a variety of contexts. By understanding their usage in statements, questions, and negative sentences, you can improve your English communication skills.

Common Modal Verb Phrases

Modal verbs are often used with other verbs to create phrases that convey a specific meaning. Here are some common modal verb phrases and their meanings:

  • Can’t help but  – This phrase is used to express that you cannot stop yourself from doing something. For example, “I can’t help but smile when I see puppies.”
  • Have to  – This phrase is used to express obligation or necessity. For example, “I have to finish my homework before I can go out.”
  • Need to  – This phrase is used to express that something is necessary. For example, “I need to drink water after exercising.”
  • Should have  – This phrase is used to express regret about something that was not done in the past. For example, “I should have studied more for the test.”
  • Would rather  – This phrase is used to express a preference. For example, “I would rather stay at home than go to the party.”
  • Must have  – This phrase is used to express certainty about something that happened in the past. For example, “He must have left his phone at home.”
  • Might as well  – This phrase is used to suggest doing something because there is no reason not to. For example, “Since we have some extra time, we might as well go for a walk.”

Modal verb phrases can be very useful in expressing specific meanings and adding nuance to your language. It’s important to use them correctly and in the appropriate context.

Modal Verbs vs Auxiliary Verbs

When it comes to understanding the English language, it’s important to know the difference between modal verbs and auxiliary verbs. While both of these types of verbs are used to help the main verb in a sentence, there are some key differences between them.

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs, also known as modal auxiliary verbs, are a group of verbs that give additional information about the function of the main verb. They show possibility, intent, ability, or necessity. Modal verbs do not change their appearance, and they are used alongside the infinitive form of the main verb of a sentence.

Some common examples of modal verbs include:

Modal verbs are used to show if you believe something is certain, possible, or impossible. They can also be used to talk about ability, ask permission, and make requests and offers.

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs , also known as helping verbs, are used to help the main verb in a sentence. They change according to certain factors in the sentence, such as tense, person, and number.

Some common examples of auxiliary verbs include:

Auxiliary verbs can be used to form different tenses, such as the present perfect or past continuous. They can also be used to form questions and negatives.

In summary, the main difference between modal verbs and auxiliary verbs is that modal verbs do not change their appearance, while auxiliary verbs change according to certain factors in the sentence. Understanding the difference between these two types of verbs can help you to use them correctly in your writing and speaking.

Modal Verbs in Different Tenses

When it comes to tenses, modal verbs are quite unique. Unlike regular verbs, modal verbs do not change their form to indicate different tenses. They are used in their base form regardless of the time frame.

Modal verbs can refer to present and future time, but only some of them can refer to past time. Here is a table showing the modal verbs that can be used to refer to past time:

For example, “I could swim when I was younger” or “He would always help me with my homework.”

It’s important to note that when using modal verbs to refer to past time, the main verb in the sentence should be in the base form as well. For example, “I could have gone to the party, but I decided not to.”

In addition to the past time usage, here are some examples of how modal verbs can be used in different tenses:

  • Present: “You should eat more vegetables.”
  • Future: “We will have to leave early tomorrow.”
  • Perfect: “He must have forgotten his phone at home.”
  • Continuous: “They might be playing tennis right now.”

Overall, modal verbs are a versatile and useful tool in English grammar. By understanding how they can be used in different tenses, you can effectively communicate your intentions and convey meaning in your writing and speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some examples of modal verbs in English?

Modal verbs are used to express ability, possibility, necessity, and permission. Some examples of modal verbs in English include can, may, must, shall, will, could, might, should, and would.

How many modal verbs are there in English?

There are nine modal verbs in English: can, may, must, shall, will, could, might, should, and would.

What is the definition of modal verbs and how are they used?

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that are used to express various meanings such as ability, possibility, necessity, and permission. They are followed by the base form of a verb and do not change their form based on the subject of the sentence. Modal verbs can also be used to make requests, give advice, and express opinions.

What is a good worksheet for practicing modal verbs?

There are many worksheets available online for practicing modal verbs. One good worksheet is the “Modal Verbs Practice” worksheet from Englishlinx.com. This worksheet includes exercises for practicing the different uses of modal verbs in English.

What are some common sentences using modal verbs?

Some common sentences using modal verbs include:

  • I can swim.
  • You should study for the test.
  • He may arrive late.
  • We must finish the project by Friday.
  • They could come to the party.

How do you pronounce modal verbs correctly?

Modal verbs are pronounced with stress on the first syllable. For example, can is pronounced as “kan,” may is pronounced as “may,” and must is pronounced as “must.”

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Why is it important to study modal verbs?

essay about yourself using modals

This is the second of four chapters about Modal Verbs . To complete this reader, read each chapter carefully and then unlock and complete our materials to check your understanding.   

– Discuss the importance of modal verbs in English

– Provide examples of the twelve modal-verb functions

– Explore the challenges that students face when attempting to master modal verbs

Chapter 1: What are the nine English modal verbs?

Chapter 2: Why is it important to study modal verbs?

Chapter 3: What are the grammar rules of modal verbs?

Chapter 4: What are the twelve functions of modal verbs?

Now that you should recognise the fifteen verbs and verb phrases   that function as pure and semi-modals in the English language, this second chapter on modal verbs   discusses both the usefulness and challenges of this word type   in practice. Because it’s not possible to communicate effectively in the English language without frequently using such modal verbs, a student that wishes to become an effective academic should study this word type carefully.

H ow are modal verbs useful?

Because most of a proposition’s meaning is contained within a verb and its associated nouns , verbs are one of the most important word classes  for speakers of English. The two sentences below, for example, demonstrate that a statement may be understood when all words   other than verbs and nouns have been deleted:

Modal Verbs 2.1 Complete Sentence

As a type of auxiliary verb, and one that reportedly accounts for fifteen percent of all verb usage, modal verbs are clearly an important aspect of language learning. From an academic’s perspective, while it’s true that modal verbs are used much more commonly in speech than in academic writing, modal verbs still allow the speaker or writer to express twelve useful functions. These functions, which may be divided into attitudinal and communicative types, are provided for you below:

Modal Verbs 2.3 Attitudinal Functions

Why are modal verbs challenging for students?

Although there are a number of reasons that students of English make frequent mistakes when forming expressions that require the representation of modality , we’ve grouped these concerns into four distinct types.

1. Avoidance

While it may be possible to avoid using modal verbs   altogether and instead rely upon modal adjectives such as ‘possible’, modal adverbs   such as ‘perhaps’ or modal nouns   such as ‘probability’ – all of which function as hedging language , an overreliance of these word classes and an avoidance of modal verbs will likely make a writer’s or speaker’s language appear odd or unnatural, particularly to a native speaker of English.

As will be explored in much more detail in Chapter 3, the grammar   of both pure and semi-modals can also sometimes confuse students with mistakes leading to a break down in communication. Because modal verbs   lack the inflection of more ordinary lexical verbs , because they sometimes use present and past tense   forms such as ‘can’ and ‘could’ for functions other than demonstrating a timeframe, and because (unlike other auxiliary verbs such as ‘want’) they rarely precede full infinitives using ‘to’, it’s understandable that some students make many errors with this word type .

3. Pronunciation

Modal verbs can be pronounced with strong or weak forms when used in connected speech, and because such verbs are most commonly spoken in their quicker weak forms when combined with another verb, non-native speakers of English may sometimes fail to identify them. While failing to hear or understand a modal verb may generally have little effect on overall comprehension, some structures may create the potential for confusion. If, for example, ‘can’ were missed from the offer below, the listener may instead interpret that statement as a promise: 

Modal Verbs 2.5 Offer

4. Selection

Finally, as the same modal verb may be used to indicate a variety of functions, and because there may be multiple modal verbs that can indicate the same function, a non-native speaker of English may either (a) select an incorrect modal verb for their utterance, or (b) overuse the same modal verb where an alternative verb may have improved the appropriacy of their expression.

For further information about overcoming these issues, continue studying with Chapters 3 and 4 and explore the grammar and functions of modals in more detail.

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Once you’ve completed all four chapters about modal verbs , you might also wish to download our beginner, intermediate and advanced worksheets to test your progress or print for your students. These professional PDF worksheets can be easily accessed for only a few Academic Marks .

Our modal verbs  academic reader (including all four chapters about this topic) can be accessed here at the click of a button.

Gain unlimited access to our modal verbs  beginner worksheet, with activities and answer keys designed to check a basic understanding of this reader’s chapters.

To check a confident understanding of this reader’s chapters, click on the button below to download our  modal verbs   intermediate worksheet with activities and answer keys.

Our modal verbs  advanced worksheet with activities and answer keys has been created to check a sophisticated understanding of this reader’s chapters. 

To save yourself 5 Marks , click on the button below to gain unlimited access to all of our modal verbs  guidance and worksheets. The All-in-1 Pack includes every chapter on this topic, as well as our beginner, intermediate and advanced worksheets in one handy PDF.

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Essay about yourself

There may be a variety of reasons why you might need to present an essay about yourself. This can be a separate task or a paper meant to apply for a scholarship. And this is where you start wondering what is so special about your personality that can pique sincere interest in your audience. To make things worse, this is a scholarly work and it should have an appropriate structure. Such papers should also have a thesis statement. Therefore, on this page we provide the most helpful guidelines and ideas on how to craft an essay about yourself. Find out about the order of presenting facts and ideas, attention-winning opening sentences and an academic writing help that you can find online.

How to Write an Essay About Yourself Appropriately? Follow the Instructions Provided Below

  • Key point of the paper

It is obvious that essays about yourself should present your personality efficiently. This very fact confuses students. Therefore, it is complicated to formulate the points you are going to cover. For this reason, you should pose a specific question and discuss it in the best way. In case you get the topic from your professor, you should try to cover it completely. Do not be afraid to put forward creative ideas. Besides, you may browse the Internet and find a handy sample essay about yourself. It will help you understand what to concentrate on.

  • Describe your experience

In order to understand how to start an essay about yourself, think about your life. Surely, it is full of memorable events, precious moments, and difficult situations. They are: birthday parties, graduation, exams, etc. All of them help you gain valuable experience. Nevertheless, you should select an extraordinary topic and examine it. Thus, readers will be impressed with your work.

  • Present original ideas

When writing an essay about yourself, you should not discuss boring issues. Try to explore something unusual. Therefore, your paper will differ greatly from the works of other students.

Writing about Yourself Essays Is a Perfect Opportunity to Introduce Yourself

Without any doubts, about yourself essays reveal the student’s personality much better than the book reviews, PowerPoint presentations, and research papers. The best essays about yourself talk about the honesty, gratitude, the strength of character, free will, perseverance, and many other characteristics. In its essence, a personal essay is a wonderful opportunity for the student to introduce him/herself without the fear of sounding too selfish. When the college admission officers read your essay, they should think “What an interesting and creative person he/she is!” Such an essay will help them learn more about your personality and decide if you fit their educational institution. Start the writing process by thinking about your strengths. Consider answering the questions: What makes me different from others? What my friends and family can say about me? Do I have the leadership skills? Am I passionate about anything? By answering these questions, you will be able to create an interesting topic that will enable you to introduce yourself from different perspectives.

You may find useful I Believe Essay Topics

After the brainstorming process, start writing your rough draft. Begin with the few introductory sentences that will catch the reader’s attention. For this purpose, your introduction should have some hook that will make your essay interesting to your audience. It may be some thought-provoking idea or an appropriate joke. Then, organize your thoughts in a logical order. Your writing should be clear and coherent and should not have any logical gaps. If you hesitate whether you have managed to write a good essay, feel free to ask some of your friends to read it and point out to its inconsistencies. Do not be afraid of criticism since it is always a way to progress.

You should know that storytelling is one of the oldest forms of transferring information from one person to another. You may find a lot of sample essays about yourself on the web. Undoubtedly, you may use them for gaining some writing inspiration and for understanding the proper essay organization. However, you should never plagiarize from free essays about yourself since cheating will lead to terrible consequences.

Writing essays introducing yourself is a good opportunity to analyze your life; your achievements and failures, your values and priorities. This will help you to further determine the right direction in life. Also, an analysis of your character’s strong and weak sides will allow you to obtain a healthy self-assessment. At the end, you will get to know yourself better. Be sincere but wise. The readers know that you are not perfect, just like them. So, acknowledging certain mistakes or shortcomings will win over your reader’s trust. Meanwhile, you should not push them off with some facts that may seem unsightly/ugly.

Of course, this may seem like a tough work. So, if you still wonder how to introduce yourself in a paper, we have placed a helpful sample below. Do not even try to complete this assignment on the last day. Indeed, time-management is the inevitable skill that can be very helpful in completing this assignment.

At EssaysLeader.com, we understand all your fears and hesitations. Therefore, we have developed a perfect writing workshop helping an average student become more proficient in writing about yourself essays. Our workshop provides the despaired students with the essential instruments for creating perfect about yourself essays.

Academic Writing Help

An academic paper is all about the expression of an informed argument. You need to do a detailed research to make that argument. By investigating and breaking down the parts of a text, you gain insights into its dominant themes and underlying structure of your paper. As you become well informed about the topic, you can make your own argument and present your opinion to support it like a lawyer supports a case in a court.

Many university or college students are often given tasks to write academic papers, dissertations as well as theses. Academic writing is mandatory all through the education process. It is a known fact that even successful students find it hard to write such papers. Thus, from time to time they have to ask for academic writing assistance.

In higher educational establishments, the only aim of any kind of paper is to examine the knowledge and skills of students.

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it is known that the introduction should be the first part of an academic paper. It, however, has to capture a short general idea. The statement that the student wishes to prove should be presented at the very end of this section. The main body of the paper follows next. It is very important to conduct thorough research in order to produce a paper in a professional manner. However, it takes a lot of time to dig into details.

Finally, it is a conclusion that is the last part of a paper. Any student, who is writing a research paper, should write a very clear conclusion. It should summarize arguments and evidence provided to support the topic.

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Essay Sample About Yourself I am a thirty eight year old single mother of one, applying for a scholarship to fund my studies in information technology. I am deeply interested in the information technology field. My interest in computers started 18 years ago when I started a small sales company. We did everything manually for the first three years. Then I purchased a computer, taught myself how to use it, and three months later, I designed a database to use for my unique business. I’ve been in love with computers since that time and currently, I sell my database programs to other in the same line of business as my company. Designing websites and databases has since become my hobbies. All the computer expertise that I have is self taught and I believe that if I further my studies in this field, I can make the best out of my interest in computers. There is much I need to learn for me to excel in this field and that is why am interested in going back to school at this age because further studies will open me to the expansive world of computers. My desire to learn and my life long goals will help me to excel in my studies. My objective is to start an Information Technology business upon completion of my studies. As a single mother of one taking care of an ailing mother, I cannot afford to foot my college fees given that my business went down two years ago and I make a living out of the part time office administration job I got recently. This scholarship will help me to buy IT equipment that I need for my course. It will also help me in purchase of books and other school implements. I hereby apply for a scholarship, hoping that my application will be considered.
See also another sample of essay about yourself

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IMAGES

  1. 9 Perfect Tense Modals and Example Sentences

    essay about yourself using modals

  2. (PDF) AN ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH MODALS IN MODAL VERB PHRASE STRUCTURES IN

    essay about yourself using modals

  3. 59 ENGLISH. MODALS ideas

    essay about yourself using modals

  4. English Modals of POSSIBILITY, Definitions and Examples

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  5. Free Short Essay Examples and Description about Yourself Sample

    essay about yourself using modals

  6. How to Write an Essay About Myself

    essay about yourself using modals

VIDEO

  1. Using Modals Properly || English 8 || Quarter 1 Week 3

  2. 20 lines on Myself || About myself essay || Short essay on myself in English || Myself 20 lines

  3. Essay On Myself || About Myself In English || MM handwriting

  4. 10 lines on Myself

  5. Exploring Modal Auxiliaries: Everything You Need to Know

  6. 10 lines on Myself in English| Myself essay

COMMENTS

  1. Guide to Writing a Compelling Essay About Yourself

    Here are some essential tips to help you create an engaging and authentic essay: 1. Know Your Audience. Understand who will be reading your essay and tailor your content to resonate with them. Consider their interests, values, and expectations. 2. Be Authentic. Avoid embellishments or exaggerations.

  2. Modals

    Use Explanation of use Modals Examples; Logical possibility: This use of modals hedges, or weakens, the certainty of a sentence. The stronger the modal, the stronger the possibility. Must is so strong that it is almost forcing something to happen. On the opposite end, can, could, and might are all equally weak and show a lack of commitment or ...

  3. Unit 15 Modals

    Unit 15 Modals. Learning Objectives. To understand what modals are and what principles they follow. To learn the challenges and strategies in using appropriate modals. To learn the meanings and uses of modals and modal-like expressions through multiple examples. To practice using modals through a variety of writing situations.

  4. How to Write an Essay about Yourself

    While "I" and "we" are both in the first person, "you" is used in the second person. Remember this rule, and you'll come up with an interesting essay or even a short story about yourself. You may even want to consider becoming a novel writer in the future after doing it. 3. Stick with "he," "she," "it," and "they".

  5. Modal Verbs: Definition & Usage Examples

    Modal verbs come directly before the main verb except for in questions. With modal verbs, use the infinitive submit of the main verb. With most but not all modal verbs, the your declined from the verb. So if you want to brag nearly is ability to eat an entire pizza, yourself use the modal verb can before the infinitive form of swallow without ...

  6. How to Write About Yourself in a College Essay

    Focus on a specific moment, and describe the scene using your five senses. Mention objects that have special significance to you. Instead of following a common story arc, include a surprising twist or insight. Your unique voice can shed new perspective on a common human experience while also revealing your personality.

  7. PDF Modals

    Modals What this handout is about Modal verbs (must, will, would, should, may, can, could, might, must) precede another verb. Modals do not have subject-verb agreement or take the infinitive "to" before the next verb. This handout shows how modals in academic writing can change a sentence's meaning into a prediction, suggestion, or a ...

  8. How to Use Modals Effectively in Academic Writing

    Modals are versatile tools for expressing a range of meanings in academic writing. For example, can, could, may, might, and will can be used to express the possibility or probability of something ...

  9. How do I write a good essay about myself?

    Here are some steps to help you write a strong essay: 1. Choose a unique angle: Instead of providing a broad overview of your life, focus on a specific experience, interest, or aspect of your personality that has shaped who you are. This will make your essay more focused and memorable. 2.

  10. A Complete Guide to Modal Verbs

    If you feel the need to use two modal-like ideas, consider replacing one with an equivalent phrase, like "be able to," "have to," or "need to," among others. This will help you maintain the clarity and grammatical integrity of your sentences. Always Use Base Form: Always use the base form of the main verb after a modal. Example:

  11. IELTS Grammar: How to Use Modals for Opinions and Suggestions

    Students who want to achieve band 7+ for their IELTS Writing Task 2 need to use a wide range of grammar structures. In this article I show you how to use a range of modals naturally to express opinions, as well as make suggestions and predictions, which will help improve your grammar band score. For more examples of good grammar in use, check ...

  12. Grammar essentials: Introduction to modals

    Modals enable you to use a single main verb in different ways, or modes. The 8 most common modals are: (There are others, such as ought to, that are not as commonly used.) You use modals all the time. The sentences, "I study," and, "I should study," and "I will study," all have obviously different meanings. The difference is the modal verb.

  13. Modal Verbs: Useful Rules, List and Examples in English

    Might. Must. Shall. Should. Will. Would. Each of these modal verbs has a specific meaning and usage in English. For example, "can" is used to express ability, "may" is used to express possibility, and "must" is used to express necessity. Modal verbs are also used to create different tenses in English.

  14. English Quarter 2 Module 4 Argumentative Texts Modal Verbs and Modal

    CO_Q2_English 10_ Module 4. What is It. Modal Adverbs are used to modify specific verbs that consist of a linking verb (verb of. being) and sometimes another verb. Here are examples of modal adverbs: probably, possibly, evidently, certainly, surely, undoubtedly, seriously, clearly, obviously. 1.

  15. Writing with Modal Verbs

    This is a writing aimed at pre-intermediate and intermediate level students. They have to describe life in the year 3012, using modal verbs to talk about different things like: education, jobs, cities, clothes, etc. They are given some examples: what students/teachers can/can't do, what means of transport can/can't do, etc.

  16. Why is it important to study modal verbs?

    4. Selection. Finally, as the same modal verb may be used to indicate a variety of functions, and because there may be multiple modal verbs that can indicate the same function, a non-native speaker of English may either (a) select an incorrect modal verb for their utterance, or (b) overuse the same modal verb where an alternative verb may have improved the appropriacy of their expression.

  17. Well-Written Essay About Yourself

    Writing essays introducing yourself is a good opportunity to analyze your life; your achievements and failures, your values and priorities. This will help you to further determine the right direction in life. Also, an analysis of your character's strong and weak sides will allow you to obtain a healthy self-assessment.

  18. Paragraph about yourself using modal verb

    The paragraph can be written as follows: Explanation: People mostly think of me as a happy person and I assume I would be jolly to them. I ought to be hard working and very dedicated towards my education. I may be an introvert, but I like hanging out with close friends frequently. I need to work on my communication skills as I am very bad at ...

  19. Hello GPT-4o

    Prior to GPT-4o, you could use Voice Mode to talk to ChatGPT with latencies of 2.8 seconds (GPT-3.5) and 5.4 seconds (GPT-4) on average. To achieve this, Voice Mode is a pipeline of three separate models: one simple model transcribes audio to text, GPT-3.5 or GPT-4 takes in text and outputs text, and a third simple model converts that text back to audio.

  20. Essay About Yourself Using Modals

    Essay About Yourself Using Modals - Our team of paper writers consists only of native speakers coming from countries such as the US or Canada. But being proficient in English isn't the only requirement we have for an essay writer. All professionals working for us have a higher degree from a top institution or are current university professors.

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