Modal Verbs

In English grammar, verbs play an important role as they describe actions, occurrences, or states of being. A modal verb, also known as a modal auxiliary verb, is used to express ability, possibility, necessity, and permission. In this guide, you will learn what modal verbs are, see examples, understand their uses, practice exercises, and avoid common mistakes.  

Table of Contents

• What Are Modal Verbs?
• List of Modal Verbs
• Difference Between Modal Verbs and Auxiliary Verbs
• How to Use Modal Verbs in Sentences
• Common Mistakes with Modal Verbs
• Modal Verb Exercises
  

What Are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are helping verbs used with main verbs to show ability, possibility, permission, necessity, advice, or probability. Common modal verbs include can, could, might, may, must, shall, should, will, and would. Each modal verb has a specific use: 

•  Can / could - show ability or make requests 

• Must / need - show necessity 

• May / might - express possibility or permission 

• Should / ought to - give advice 

• Will / would - talk about future actions or polite offers 

Modal verbs are classified into main modal verbs and semi-modal verbs. Main modal verbs include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would, while need, ought to, and have to are semi-modal verbs. 

List of Modal Verbs

Here are some modal verbs and their functions.

Difference Between Modal Verbs and Auxiliary Verbs 

Modal verbs and auxiliary verbs are two types of verbs. Here, we will learn about their functions, how to use them, and their examples.  

 

How to Use Modal Verbs in Sentences 

Modal verbs are used before the base form of the main verb, and they do not change their form based on the subject or number. For instance, “He can go” and “They can go”, the modal verb used here is “can”. To form questions, place the modal verb before the subject, that is, “Can he go?” Negatives are formed by adding not after the modal verb, for example, “He should not go.”

Tips to remember: 

• For all subjects and tenses, the modal verb is the same.

• After the modal verb, don’t use “to” except for the semi-modal verbs. 

• Negatives are formed by adding not after the modal verb. 

Examples: 

• She might come tomorrow.

• She may come tomorrow.

• She will come tomorrow.

• She must come tomorrow. 

• She should come tomorrow. 

• She ought to come tomorrow. 

• She could come tomorrow. 

• Shall she come tomorrow?  

• Could she come tomorrow?

 

Common Mistakes with Modal Verbs 

• Using ‘to’ after a modal verb.

• She can to read - incorrect. 

• She can read - correct. 

• Adding -s with modal verbs. 

• She cans read - incorrect. 

• She can read - correct.

• Confusing necessity with advice (must and should). 

• Use must for a strong necessity. 

• Use should for advice.

• Forgetting to add not for negatives.

• She cannot read 
  
  

Modal Verb Exercises 

To check your understanding of modal verbs, let’s do an exercise. Fill in the blanks with the correct modal verbs. 

1. __________ you please help me carry these books?

2. It __________ rain later, so bring your umbrella. 

3. He __________ be at home right now. 

4. __________ I open the window for some fresh air? 

5. Students __________ submit their homework before lunch break

6. You __________ speak loudly in the library. 

7. She __________ speak three languages fluently. 

8. __________ you please explain these rules again?

9. I __________ help you if you ask me. 

10. __________ we wait here or go outside?

Answer: 

1. Could

2. Might 

3. Might 

4. May 

5. Must Answer: 

6. Must not 

7. Can 

8. Could 

9. Can 

10. Shall