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Understanding Modal Verbs in English

Modal verbs are used to express meanings like ability, permission, obligation, necessity, possibility, and probability. The 10 main English modal verbs are can, may, will, shall, must, could, might, would, should, and ought. Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of another verb and do not change form for tense or person. They modify the meaning of the verb that follows them and cannot be used without another verb. Common uses of modals include expressing ability, permission, advice, necessity, obligation, desire, suggestion, and probability.

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Liz Suely Quiroz Arroyo
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342 views13 pages

Understanding Modal Verbs in English

Modal verbs are used to express meanings like ability, permission, obligation, necessity, possibility, and probability. The 10 main English modal verbs are can, may, will, shall, must, could, might, would, should, and ought. Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of another verb and do not change form for tense or person. They modify the meaning of the verb that follows them and cannot be used without another verb. Common uses of modals include expressing ability, permission, advice, necessity, obligation, desire, suggestion, and probability.

Uploaded by

Liz Suely Quiroz Arroyo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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  • Introduction to Modal Verbs
  • 10 Modal Verbs
  • Functions of Modal Verbs
  • Grammar Rules for Modal Verbs
  • Exercises on Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are also


called modal auxiliary
verbs, modal auxiliaries,
or simply modals. They
are verbs which 'help'
other verbs to express a
meaning: it is important
to realise that these
"modal verbs" have no
meaning by themselves.
10 Modal Verbs
can may will shall must

could might would should ought

➢be able to ➢had better


➢be going to ➢be supposed to
➢have to ➢be to
➢have got to ➢used to
What do modals express?
ability request advice

necessity
obligation

permission desire
offer
suggestion
probability
She can drive. (ability)
I must go (strong necessity)
You should call him. (advice)
Could you help me with this report,
please? (request)
You may stay here. (permission)
I would like to see her. (desire)
He might leave soon. (possibility)
He must be at the tennis club
now. (strong probability)
Modal verbs are a subcategory of auxiliary verbs,
which means they cannot be used without a main
verb.

Modal verbs have no tense and no person, so they


never change.

All modal verbs must be followed by a main verb in


the base form except for ought which is followed by
an infinitive.
General rules
1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third
person.
▪He can speak Chinese.
▪She should be here by 9:00.
2. They make questions by inversion
('she can go' becomes 'can she go?').
3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the
past tenses or the future tenses.
▪He will can go with us. Not Correct
▪She musted study very hard. Not Correct
Word order in statements
Main Verb
Subject Modal Verb
(base form)
They can come
Mike should walk
You must go
We will wait
You ought to study
Word order in questions
Modal Verb Subject Main Verb
Can they come?
Should Mike drive?

Modal
Wh-word Subject Main Verb
Verb
When can they eat?
How could he walk?
When may she come in?
What must they do?
Word order in negative statements
Modal
Subject Main Verb
Verb
You must not disturb the baby.
They should not drive at night.
People can not smoke in the bus.
on the
You may not draw
desk
Look at the sentences
can 1. Write the negatives.
I should go 2. Write the questions.
must 3. Write the third
have to person singular.

Which two sentences are the same?


am allowed
I can stay at my friend’s house tonight.
have to
Which sentence expresses obligation?
Which sentences express permission?
Complete the sentences with
have to and don’t have to
• Children ________
have to go to school.
• Millionaires ___________
don’t have towork.
• You __________
don’t have togo to England if you want
to learn English.
• In England, you _______
have to drive on the left.
Put the sentences into the negative,
the question, the past.
1. Henry can swim.

2. I have to wear a uniform.


3. She has to work hard.
4. He can do what he likes.
5. We are allowed to wear jeans.

Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are also called modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries, or simply modals. They are verbs which 'help' other ver
10 Modal Verbs be able to be going to have to have got to had better be supposed to be to used to can could may migh
What do modals express? ability necessity request obligation advice permission desire probability offer suggestion
She can drive. (ability) I must go (strong necessity) You should call him. (advice) Could you help me with this report, ple
Modal verbs are a subcategory of auxiliary verbs, which means they cannot be used without a main verb. Modal verbs have no te
1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person. General rules He can speak Chinese. She should be here by 9:00. 2. T
Subject Modal Verb Main Verb (base form) They can come Mike should walk You must go We will wait You ought to study Word
Word order in questions Modal Verb Subject Main Verb Can they come? Should Mike drive? Wh-word Modal Verb Subject Main Verb W
Word order in negative statements Subject Modal Verb Main Verb You must not disturb the baby. They should not drive at night

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