Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs

What are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs serve as auxiliary verbs in English grammar. They should be used in conjunction with the base form of the main verb, rather than with the infinitive, gerunds, or any other verb tense.

Ex.

She can swim. not She can swims. XXX

You should study. not You should to study. XXX

We must leave now. not We must leaving now. XXX

Common Uses of Modals

Function	Modal	Example
Ability	can / could	I can drive.
Advice	should	You should rest.
Obligation	must / have to	You must wear a seatbelt.
Prohibition	Must not	She must not come here.
Permission	can / may	May I leave early?
Possibility	might / may / could	It might rain.
Impossibility	Can't / can't be / couldn't have	The singer can't be Tom.
Future decisions	will	I will call you.

For example:

Ability (can / could)

Present Ability (can)

1. She can speak English and Arabic.

2. I can drive at night.

Past Ability (could)

3. When I was young, I could run very fast.

4. He could solve difficult math problems.

Advice (should / shouldn’t)

1. You should drink more water.

2. They should study before the test.

3. You shouldn’t eat too much junk food.

4. She shouldn’t stay up so late.

   
   

Obligation (must / have to)

Strong obligation (must)

1. You must wear a seatbelt.

2. Students must submit their assignments on time.

External obligation (have to)

3. I have to work tomorrow.

4. She has to attend the meeting.

Prohibition (mustn’t)

1. You mustn’t smoke in the hospital.

2. Students mustn’t use their phones during the exam.

Permission (can / may)

1. Can I borrow your notebook?

2. May I leave early today?

3. You can sit here.

4. You may begin the test now.

Possibility (might / may / could)

1. It might rain later.

2. She may come to the party.

3. They could be at home.

4. We might finish early.

Impossibility (can’t)

We use can’t when we are almost sure something is NOT true.

Present Impossibility (can’t / can’t be)

1. That can’t be true. I saw her at school today.

2. He can’t be at home. His car isn’t in the driveway.

3. This can’t belong to me. My name isn’t on it.

4. She can’t know the answer already.

Past Impossibility (can’t have + past participle)

1. He can’t have finished the exam in five minutes.

2. She can’t have forgotten the meeting. I reminded her yesterday.

Future Decisions / Promises (will)

1. I will call you tonight.

2. We will help you with your project.

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