Modal Verbs

Introduction

Modal verbs, also known as modal auxiliary verbs or just modals, defy the conventional patterns of regular verbs. It works with main verbs to convey a rich array of meanings. In this blog post, we unravel the intricacies of modal verbs, understanding their unique characteristics, exploring a comprehensive list, and delving into the myriad ways they shape our communication.

What are modal verbs?

Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, and modal auxiliaries) are special verbs that behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like “work, play, visit…” They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative functions.

Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:

• They never change their form. You can’t add “s”, “ed”, or “ing”…
• They are always followed by an infinitive without “to” (e.i. the bare infinitive.)
• They are used to indicate modality and allow speakers to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, and ability.

List of modal verbs

Here is a list of modal verbs:

can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must

The verbs or expressions dare, ought to, had better, and need not behave like modal auxiliaries to a large extent and may be added to the above list.

Meaning of modal Verbs

Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:

Function	Example
Permission	Can I use your laptop?
Ability	I can speak three languages fluently.
Obligation	You should complete the assignment by Friday. You must be quiet while we are praying.
Prohibition	Visitors must not enter the construction site without a guide.
Lack of Necessity	You need not bring your laptop; we have extra computers.
Advice	You should take a break and relax.
Possibility	She may join us for dinner if her schedule allows.
Probability	It might rain later, so carry an umbrella just in case.
Request	Can you please lend me your notes for a moment?

Using Modals: A Simple Guide

Utilizing modal verbs in English sentences is fortunately straightforward. For constructing basic sentences in the simple present tense, keep these rules in mind:

1. Position in a Sentence:
   • Modal verbs typically come directly before the main verb, except in questions where the modal verb precedes the subject. For instance:
     • He can speak Spanish. (Affirmative sentence)
     • Can he speak Spanish? (Question)
2. Infinitive Form:
   • When using modal verbs, pair them with the infinitive form of the main verb. It’s essential to note that with most modal verbs, the “to” is dropped from the infinitive. Examples include:
     • She must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
     • I can swim.

Examples of modal verbs

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

Things to 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 the doctor.
• There are a lot of tomatoes in the fridge. You need not buy any.

Related Pages:

• Modal verbs
• Present and past of modals
• Modals for Obligation
• Must and have to
• Shall and will
• Is need a modal verb?
• Exercise on modals
• Exercise on modals in the past
• Exercise on modals: mustn’t or needn’t
• Exercise on have to vs don’t have to
• Exercise on Modals for Obligation: must, mustn’t, don’t have/doesn’t have to
• Exercise on the meaning of modals