Modal Verbs: A Complete Grammar Guide about Modal Verb

Modal verbs are often called “helping” verbs and play a crucial role in the English language. They might make you think of action words, but modal verbs are used to express ability, possibility, permission, and obligation. In this article, you will explore what modal verbs are, see a list of common ones, and learn the rules for using them. Actual sentences containing modal verbs and helpful charts will also be included.

You might still be wondering about the specifics, but this article will make everything clear. By examining the rules and seeing examples, you will understand how to recognize and use modal verbs confidently. Modal verbs are present in many everyday sentences, and you’ll see just how versatile they can be. Let’s dive in and get a clearer understanding of modal verbs with the help of this article!

Modal Verbs

What is a Modal Verb?

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Modal verbs are verbs that act very differently from verbs like ‘work’, ‘play’, or ‘eat’. Modal verbs provide information about the function of the verb that follows. They always come before a traditional verb and explain the modality of the verb.

Definition

In English, modal verbs are a small class of auxiliary verbs used to express ability, permission, obligation, prohibition, probability, possibility, or advice.

Modality

Modality explains different aspects that modal verbs can convey:

• Ability
• Permission
• Obligation
• Prohibition
• Probability
• Possibility
• Advice

Modal Verbs List

Modal verbs, also known as helping verbs, are used to express abilities, possibilities, permissions, and obligations. Here is a list of commonly used modal verbs and some semi-modals in English:

• Will
• Shall
• Would
• Should
• Ought to
• Must
• Mustn’t
• May
• Might
• Can
• Could
• Have to/Has to
• Don’t/Doesn’t have to

These modal verbs must come before a verb to help express at least one type of modality. In some cases, they can express more than one modality.

Examples Sentences Containing Modal Verbs

Examples help to illustrate how modal verbs work. Let’s look at some sentences:

Can

• “I can run.”
  • Here, ‘can’ shows ability because the speaker is able to run.
• “Can I borrow your trainers?”
  • In this case, ‘can’ seeks permission to borrow trainers.
• “Running can make you ache.”
  • Here, ‘can’ expresses possibility as it is possible that running causes aches.

Could

• “I could run.”
  • This expresses past ability instead of present ability.

May

• “I may swim tomorrow.”
  • ‘May’ here expresses both possibility and probability.
• “May I swim tomorrow?”
  • In this case, ‘may’ seeks permission for the activity.

Might

• “I might swim tomorrow.”
  • ‘Might’ can replace ‘may’ to express the same probabilities and permissions.

Must

• “You must raise your hand before you speak.”
  • ‘Must’ expresses obligation.
• “You must not speak out of turn.”
  • Adding ‘not’ turns the obligation into a prohibition.

Should

• “You should sing more often.”
  • ‘Should’ here is used for giving advice.
• “I should visit my mother.”
  • ‘Should’ can also imply an obligation, but weaker than ‘must’.

You can often mix and match these modal verbs to see how they change the meaning of different sentences.

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Modal Verbs Rules

When using modal verbs, it’s important to follow certain rules to ensure your sentences are grammatically correct. One key rule is that the word “to” should not follow a modal verb. Here are some examples showing how different modal verbs are used:

Will

• Promise: Don’t worry, I will be here.
• Instant Decision: I will take these books with me.
• Invitation/Offer: Will you give me a chance?
• Certain Prediction: John Smith will be the next President.
• Future Tense Auxiliary: Tomorrow I will be in New York.

Shall

• Asking What to Do: Shall I get the phone? Or will you?
• Offer: Shall I call a cab?
• Suggestion: Shall I call again on Thursday?

Would

• Asking for Permission: Would you mind if I opened the window?
• Request: Would you make dinner?
• Making Arrangements: Would you be available at 6 pm tonight?
• Invitation: Would you like to go out sometime?
• Preferences: Would you prefer the window seat or the aisle?

Should

• Advice: You should visit your dentist at least twice a year.
• Recommending Action: You really should go to the new museum on Main Street.
• Uncertain Prediction: I posted the cheque yesterday so it should arrive this week.
• Logical Deduction: I’ve revised so I should be ready for the test.

Ought to

• Advice: You ought to have come to the meeting. It was interesting.
• Logical Deduction: $30 ought to be enough for the taxi.

Must

• Obligation/Necessity: I must memorize all of these rules about tenses.
• Deduction: She lied to the police. She must be the murderer.

Mustn’t

• Prohibition: You mustn’t smoke in this restaurant. It’s forbidden.

May

• Possibility: Richard may be coming to see us tomorrow.
• Ask for Permission: May I borrow your dictionary?

Might

• Slight Possibility: It looks nice, but it might be very expensive.
• The Past Form of “May” in Reported Speech: The President said he might come.

Can

• Ability: David can speak three languages.
• Permission (Informal): Can I sit in that chair, please?
• Offers: Can I carry the luggage for you?

Could

• Request: Could I borrow your dictionary?
• Suggestion: Could you say it again more slowly?
• Ability in the Past: I think we could have another Gulf War.
• Asking for Permission: Could I open the window?

Have to/Has to

• External Obligation: You have to take off your shoes before you get into the mosque.

Don’t/Doesn’t Have to

• Is Not Necessary: You don’t have to do all the exercises, only the first one.

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Modal Verb Video