Modal verbs

Modals are special verbs, such as can or must, which behave very
irregularly in English.

What are Modal Verbs?

1. Modal verbs 2. You use "not" to 3. Many modal
make modal verbs verbs cannot be
do not take "- negative, even in
s" in the third used in the past
simple present and
tenses or the
person. simple past.
future tenses.

He can speak He will can go with

He should not be us. Not Correct
Chinese.
late. She musted study
She should be here
They might not very hard. Not
by 9:00.
come to the party. Correct

COMMON MODAL VERBS

Can Could
May Might
Must Ought to
Shall Should
Will Would

Modal Usage Example

I can ride a horse. ability
"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in We can stay with my brother when we are in
Can English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, Paris. opportunity
to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission
impossibility. Can you hand me the stapler? request
Any child can grow up to be president. possibility

Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the

city. possibility
Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past
Could" is a modal verb used to express possibility or past ability
ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. You could see a movie or go out to dinner.
Could "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences suggestion
as the conditional form of "can." Could I use your computer to email my boss?
request
We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work
this weekend. conditional

Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work.

"May" is a modal verb most commonly used to express
possibility
possibility. It can also be used to give or request
May permission, although this usage is becoming less
Johnny, you may leave the table when you have
finished your dinner. give permission
common.
May I use your bathroom? request permission

Your purse might be in the living room.

"Might" is a modal verb most commonly used to express possibility
possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. If I didn't have to work, I might go with you.
Might English speakers can also use "might" to make conditional
suggestions or requests, although this is less common You might visit the botanical gardens during
in American English. your visit. suggestion
Might I borrow your pen? request

"Must" is a modal verb most commonly used to

This must be the right address! certainty
express certainty. It can also be used to express
Students must pass an entrance examination
necessity or strong recommendation, although
to study at this school. necessity
native speakers prefer the more flexible form "have
Must to." "Must not" can be used to prohibit actions, but
You must take some medicine for that cough.
strong recommendation
this sounds very severe; speakers prefer to use softer
Jenny, you must not play in the street!
modal verbs such as "should not" or "ought not" to
prohibition
dissuade rather than prohibit.

"Ought to" is used to advise or make recommendations. You ought to stop smoking. recommendation
"Ought to" also expresses assumption or expectation as Jim ought to get the promotion. It is expected
Ought well as strong probability, often with the idea that because he deserves it.
To something is deserved. "Ought not" (without "to") is used This stock ought to increase in value.
to advise against doing something, although Americans probability
prefer the less formal forms "should not" or "had better Mark ought not drink so much. advice against
not." something (notice there is no "to")

"Shall" is a modal verb used to indicate future action.

It is most commonly used in sentences with "I" or
"we," and is often found in suggestions, such as "Shall
Shall I help you? suggestion
we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or
I shall never forget where I came from.
voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of "shall"
promise
Shall to describe future events often expresses inevitability
He shall become our next king. predestination
or predestination. "Shall" is much more commonly
I'm afraid Mr. Smith shall become our new
heard in British English than in American English;
director. inevitability
Americans prefer to use other forms, although they
do sometimes use "shall" in suggestions or
formalized language.

When you go to Berlin, you should visit the

palaces in Potsdam. recommendation
You should focus more on your family and
"Should" is a modal verb most commonly used to
Should make recommendations or give advice. It can also be
less on work. advice
I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM.
used to express obligation as well as expectation.
obligation
By now, they should already be in Dubai.
expectation

"Will" is a modal verb used with promises or I promise that I will write you every single day.
voluntary actions that take place in the future. "Will" promise
Will can also be used to make predictions about the I will make dinner tonight. voluntary action
future. He thinks it will rain tomorrow. prediction

If he were an actor, he would be in adventure

"Would" is a modal verb most commonly used to movies. conditional
create conditional verb forms. It also serves as the I knew that she would be very successful in
Would past form of the modal verb "will." Additionally, her career. past of "will"
"would" can indicate repetition in the past. When they first met, they would always have
picnics on the beach. repetition