What are modal verbs?
- Common modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, will, would, must, shall, should, ought to
- (Please click on each link to view more online information about each modal verb)
How are they different from other verbs?
- They are helping verbs (or "auxiliary verbs") that carry special meaning.
There are a few things to remember about modal verbs:
- They are always accompanied by a main verb (never alone)
- They do not change in the third person singular form (no "s" is added as it would be to a verb like walk/walks)
- Most can't be used in the past tenses or future tenses (as we would do with a verb like stop/stopped or go/went)
- We add "not" to make one negative (should becomes should not, or shouldn't)
- We do not use "do/does/did" with these to make a question (You should go. becomes Should you go?)
How should we use them and what do they all mean?
- For a general summary, please visit this helpful page from the Danish Englisch-Hilfen.
CAN/COULD: to show ability (or lack of it)
I can ski, but my sister could ski when she was only three.
- For more information, visit this Perfect Grammar explanation.
- You can also find examples on this page from Learn English Online.
- To practice with these, try these (easy) exercises from Learn English Online: Practice 1, Practice 2
CAN/COULD: to show option/ indicate a choice
You can either play hockey or ski this winter, if you are looking for a fun winter sport.
CAN/COULD/MAY: to show permission/ make a request
Can I borrow your pencil? (Informal)
Could I open the window? (More formal)
May I open the window? (Most formal)
- For more information, visit this explanation page from Learn English Online, or this one from English Language Centres.
- This simple EngVid video explanation is also helpful.
- For practice, try these exercises: Practice 3 (from Advanced English Grammar), or Practice 4 (from UsingEnglish.com)
CAN: to show opportunity
We can get some great apples in Maine at this time of year.
SHOULD/OUGHT TO (and HAD BETTER): to show advisability/ advice
You should stop smoking.
You ought to study more.
- Find more information from Learn English Online here or here, from the University of Victoria.
- Or check out this video from My English. (animated and very simple)
- To get some practice, try this: Practice 5 (from the University of Victoria)
SHOULD/OUGHT TO: to show expectation
The bus should arrive soon. The schedule indicates that it will be here in 10 minutes.
- For practice (and to get familiar with this use), try these: Practice 6 (easy), or Practice 7 (easy) (both from English Club)
SHOULD/COULD/MIGHT/SHALL: for suggestions
Shouldn't we close the window? It's getting cold.
You might want to study more.
Shall we go out to dinner tonight?
- For more information, read this very informative page (from Grammaring).
WOULD LIKE: to show desire
I would like to go to Florida this winter.
Would you like to have some iced tea with your lunch?
- For more information and examples, visit this Cambridge page.
- For some basic practice, try this easy but useful exercise: Practice 8 (from To Learn English).
MUST: to show an assumption/inference
It must be cold outside today. There is frost on my window.
MUST (and HAVE TO): to show necessity/obligation/prohibition
We must complete the bonus exercises before the test in order to earn the points.
You mustn't be late for class.
We have to study for the test.
- For more information, check out this page (from Learn English Online).
- This practice activity may be helpful: Practice 9 (from the English Language Centres).
WILL: to show a general truth, promise, or prediction (see "FUTURE FORMS" post for more information)
MAY/MIGHT/COULD: to show possibility
She might visit us tomorrow, if she has time.
You could finish your homework if you hurry and stay focused.
We may have pizza for dinner. We haven't decided, yet.
- For more information, visit this Learn English Online explanation and example page, or this one from Perfect English Grammar.
- To practice, try these exercises: Practice 10 (from Learn English Onine), Practice 11 (from Auto English).
Where can I find more practice with all of these?
- Practice 12 (from English Page)
- Practice 13 (easier- from FIS EDU)
- Practice 14 (from My English Pages)
- Practice 15 (from English 4 U)
- Practice 16 (easier- from Learn English Online)
- Practice 17 (challenging- from Grammar Quizzes)
- Practice 18 (from Oxford University Press)
