Modal verbs
The modal verbs include can, must, may, might, will, would, should. They are used with other verbs to express ability, obligation, possibility, and so on. Below is a list showing the most useful modals and their most common meanings:
Modal | Meaning | Example |
| can | to express ability | I can speak a little Russian. |
| can | to request permission | Can I open the window? |
| may | to express possibility | I may be home late. |
| may | to request permission | May I sit down, please? |
| must | to express obligation | I must go now. |
| must | to express strong belief | She must be over 90 years old. |
| should | to give advice | You should stop smoking. |
| would | to request or offer | Would you like a cup of tea? |
| would | in if-sentences | If I were you, I would say sorry. |
Modal verbs are unlike other verbs. They do not change their form (spelling) and they have no infinitive or participle (past/present). The modals must and can need substitute verbs to express obligation or ability in the different tenses. Here are some examples:
| Past simple | Sorry I'm late. I had to finish my math test. |
| Present perfect | She's had to return to Korea at short notice. |
| Future | You'll have to work hard if you want to pass the exams. |
| Infinitive | I don't want to have to go. |
| Past simple | I couldn't/wasn't able to walk until I was 3 years old. |
| Present perfect | I haven't been able to solve this problem. Can you help? |
| Future | I'm not sure if I will be able to come to your party. |
| Infinitive | I would love to be able to play the piano. |
Modals are auxiliary verbs. They do not need an additional auxiliary in negatives or questions. For example: Must I come? (Do I must come?), or: He shouldn't smoke (He doesn't should smoke).
Important: The explanations and examples on this page are just an introduction to this extensive and complex area of English grammar. Students of English who want to learn more should consult a good reference work, such as Swan's Practical English Usage.
Here is a list of modals with examples:
| Modal Verb | Expressing | Example |
|---|---|---|
| must | Strong obligation | You must stop when the traffic lights turn red. |
| logical conclusion / Certainty | He must be very tired. He's been working all day long. | |
| must not | prohibition | You must not smoke in the hospital. |
| can | ability | I can swim. |
| permission | Can I use your phone please? | |
| possibility | Smoking can cause cancer. | |
| could | ability in the past | When I was younger I could run fast. |
| polite permission | Excuse me, could I just say something? | |
| possibility | It could rain tomorrow! | |
| may | permission | May I use your phone please? |
| possibility, probability | It may rain tomorrow! | |
| might | polite permission | Might I suggest an idea? |
| possibility, probability | I might go on holiday to Australia next year. | |
| need not | lack of necessity/absence of obligation | I need not buy tomatoes. There are plenty of tomatoes in the fridge. |
| should ought to | 50 % obligation | I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache. |
| advice | You should / ought to revise your lessons | |
| logical conclusion | He should / ought to be very tired. He's been working all day long. | |
| had better | advice | You 'd better revise your lessons |
Remember
Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without "to", also called the bare infinitive.Examples:
- You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
- You should see to the doctor.
- There are a lot of tomatoes in the fridge. You need not buy any.
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