Modal verbs are very common and useful in English. We use them to talk about ability, permission, obligation, requests, offers, suggestions and more.
![modal verbs](http://www.stanag6001.com/wp-content/uploads/modal-verbs.jpg)
![modal verbs](http://www.stanag6001.com/wp-content/uploads/modal-verbs.jpg)
![modal verbs](http://www.stanag6001.com/wp-content/uploads/modal-verbs.jpg)
Modal verbs can express multiple states and intentions. Some of them have different meanings depending on a situation. For example, we can use the verb ‘can’ to talk about ability, possibility, to ask for permission, to make a request or to offer help.
![modal verb can](https://englishstudypage.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/CAN-as-a-modal-verb.png)
![modal verb can](https://englishstudypage.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/CAN-as-a-modal-verb.png)
![modal verb can](https://englishstudypage.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/CAN-as-a-modal-verb.png)
Meanings of modal verbs
Meaning | Examples |
Ability | I can play football. Tom couldn’t visit us because he was tired. |
Permission | You may have more ice-cream if you like. Could I leave early today? |
Requests | Can / Could you bring me that book? Would you call John and invite him, please? |
Offers | I’ll buy the meat for the barbecue. Shall I carry some of your bags? |
Suggestions and advice | You should / ought to go to the dentist. We could try that new Italian restaurant. |
Obligation | You have to drive on the left in the UK. You mustn’t be late for work. |
Deductions | There is someone at the door. It could / might / may be Nick, I don’t know. It can’t be Mary because she is on vacation. |
How to use modal verbs
1. All modal verbs, except for ‘ought‘ and ‘have‘ require no preposition (‘to’) with the following verb:
- I can dance.
- You should go.
- You must be careful.
- I have to read a lot to become a good student.
- You ought to observe the rules.
2. Modal verbs in English don’t add an ‘s’ for he/she/it. They are always followed by the main verb in the base form:
Subject | Modal verb | Base form of the verb | Rest of the sentence |
I (you, he, she, it, we, they) | can | dance | very well. |
3. All modal verbs don’t require any auxiliary verbs to form questions and negative forms.
Negative statements are formed by adding ‘not’ after the modal verb:
- You should not (shouldn’t) eat so much meat – it’s bad for you.
- Jack can not (can’t) play tennis, but he likes playing football.
4. Questions with modal verbs are usually formed by swapping the subject and modal verb:
- They should visit Egypt.
- Why should they visit Egypt?
- You may come in.
- May I come in?
- Tiffany can meet her friends tonight.
- Can Tiffany meet her friends tonight?
Here’s a good video from mmmEnglish containing some tips and useful information use modal verbs correctly:
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