English Grammar: Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that express modality, which includes notions such as:

• Ability: can, could
• Permission: may, might
• Obligation: must, should
• Possibility: may, might, could
• Necessity: must, have to
• Prohibition: cannot, must not

Characteristics

• Modal verbs are always used in combination with a main verb.
• They do not have a subject-verb agreement.
• They do not have a tense form, but they can be used to express different tenses.
• They are often used to express attitudes, opinions, and emotions.

Common Modal Verbs

• Can: ability, permission
• Could: ability, possibility
• May: permission, possibility
• Might: possibility
• Must: obligation, necessity
• Shall: obligation, future action
• Should: obligation, recommendation
• Will: future action, prediction
• Would: hypothetical or uncertain situations

Examples

• Ability: I can speak French.
• Permission: You may go to the party.
• Obligation: You must try this cake.
• Possibility: It might rain tomorrow.
• Necessity: You have to try this cake.
• Prohibition: You cannot go to the party.

Uses

• To express degrees of certainty or uncertainty
• To express obligation, permission, or prohibition
• To make suggestions or recommendations
• To express ability or inability
• To talk about future plans or predictions

Tips

• Modal verbs can be used in different ways to express different meanings.
• The context of the sentence is important to understand the meaning of the modal verb.
• Modal verbs can be used in combination with each other to express more complex meanings.

Modal Verbs

• Express modality, including notions of ability, permission, obligation, possibility, necessity, and prohibition

Characteristics

• Always used with a main verb
• No subject-verb agreement
• No tense form, but can express different tenses
• Often used to express attitudes, opinions, and emotions

Common Modal Verbs

• Can: ability, permission
• Could: ability, possibility
• May: permission, possibility
• Might: possibility
• Must: obligation, necessity
• Shall: obligation, future action
• Should: obligation, recommendation
• Will: future action, prediction
• Would: hypothetical or uncertain situations

Uses

• Express degrees of certainty or uncertainty
• Express obligation, permission, or prohibition
• Make suggestions or recommendations
• Express ability or inability
• Talk about future plans or predictions

Tips

• Modal verbs have different meanings depending on the context
• Context is important to understand the meaning of a modal verb
• Can be used in combination to express more complex meanings