Checkup Day at Bright Smile Dental: Helping Verbs

Find and choose helping verbs that show rules, permission, ability and possibility.

Find the helping verb

Lena and her brother Omar are at the dentist for a checkup. Read each sign or sentence. Then answer the questions.

Underline the helping verb in the sign at the front desk.

Underline the helping verb in what the dental helper says to Omar.

Underline the helping verb in the sign by the toy box.

Look at the sign in question 1. What does must show?

A. Patients are allowed to sign in.B. Patients are able to sign in.C. Patients have to sign in.D. Patients might sign in later.

Look at the sign in question 3. What does may show?

A. Taking a sticker is allowed.B. Taking a sticker is a rule.C. Taking a sticker is a skill.D. Taking a sticker is a good idea.

Read this sentence.
"Omar can floss his teeth without any help now."
What does can show?

A. Omar has to floss.B. Omar might floss someday.C. Omar is allowed to floss.D. Omar is able to floss.

Choose the sentence that says what each person means.

Dr. Patel wants to say that brushing after lunch is a good idea, but not a rule. Which sentence says this?

A. You must brush after lunch.B. You should brush after lunch.C. You might brush after lunch.D. You can brush after lunch.

The dental helper tells Lena that it is OK for her to pick the toothpaste flavor. Which sentence says this?

A. You must pick the flavor.B. You might pick the flavor.C. You may pick the flavor.D. You should pick the flavor.

Lena's front tooth is loose. Dr. Patel is not sure if it will fall out this week. Which sentence says this?

A. It might fall out this week.B. It must fall out this week.C. It should fall out this week.D. It will fall out this week.

10.

What does the helping verb in each sentence show? Sort the sentences.

11.

Write a sign for the dentist's waiting room. Use may in one sentence to give permission and must in another sentence to give a rule.