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Modal Verbs Usage and Examples

Modal verbs are used to express ability, permission, possibility, necessity, expectation and other concepts in English. Some common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would and ought to. Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the main verb. Examples of usage include "I can do several things at once" to express ability and "You must obey the law" to express necessity or obligation. Modal verbs add nuance and complexity to the meaning of sentences in English.

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Enedina Ortega
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756 views2 pages

Modal Verbs Usage and Examples

Modal verbs are used to express ability, permission, possibility, necessity, expectation and other concepts in English. Some common modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would and ought to. Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the main verb. Examples of usage include "I can do several things at once" to express ability and "You must obey the law" to express necessity or obligation. Modal verbs add nuance and complexity to the meaning of sentences in English.

Uploaded by

Enedina Ortega
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • English Modal Verbs Table - Part 1: Covers the usage and examples of modal verbs including can, could, may, might, must, and shall.
  • English Modal Verbs Table - Part 2: Continues with modal verbs should, will, would, and ought to, providing further examples and uses.

Modal verb Usage Example

I can do several things at


ability the same time.
can when something is Miracles can happen.
possible
permission You can go now.
informal request Can you come here for a
minute?
She said she could pay for
past form of “can” us
could as well.
polite requests Could you move your bag,
please?
possibility It could be that he missed
the train.
ask for or give May I speak?
may permission (formal)
possibility It may rain tomorrow.
past form of “may” He said he might change his
might mind.
possibility This might fail.
you have to do it You must obey the law.
must it’s very logical or very They left so early, they must
likely to happen be home by now.
must not / you are not You mustn’t smoke in here.
mustn’t allowed to do it.
future for “I” and “we” I shall see him tomorrow.
shall questions and Let’s continue, shall we?
suggestions for “I” and
“we”

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the right thing to do She could call the police.
advice What should I do?
should You should stop thinking
about it.
what is likely or We should be back by
expected to happen midnight.
future action or states Prices will go up next
will (not plans) summer.
promises and intentions It’s all right, I’ll pick it up.
past form of “will” He told me he would come.
imagined situation What would you do if you
were him?
for polite requests, Would you please sit down?
would offers and invitations Would you like some tea?
We are meeting Tom next
Friday, would you like to
come along?
to say what you want to I would like a piece of cake.
do or have
ought to the right thing to do You ought to apologize.

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