Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs – Definition

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs, which is a fancy way of saying that these verbs help out other verbs. They are also called helping verbs. Examples of modal verbs in English are can, should and may. A modal verb cannot be the main verb in a sentence: It comes before the main verb and gives us more information about how likely or necessary the action of the main verb is. In this text, we will look at modal verbs and example sentences and the use of English modal verbs.

How many Modal Auxiliary Verbs are there in English?

There are five main modal verbs in English. Some of them have related forms; for example could is a form of can. There are also negative forms of each verb, for example may not, must not, should not etc. Below is a list of the five main modal verbs and their related forms:

List of modal verbs

• can/could
• may/might
• must
• should
• will/would

The modal verb ought is not usually included in lists of modal verbs because it’s not used very often these days. Shall is a form of the modal verb should. Need is sometimes used like a modal verb. Overviews of all modal verbs sometimes include substitutes such as have to and allowed to. There’s more information on these substitutes in the section Past tense of modal verbs.

Types of Modal Verbs

There are several types of modal verbs. Some modal verbs have different meanings and fit into more than one category.

Modal Verbs of Possibility

Modal verbs of possibility help in expressing a degree of likelihood which an event or an action might have. You can use can, could, should and will as modal verbs of possibility. See below for an overview of the use of these modal verbs and their meaning.

As you can see, you would use will whenever the event or the action is certain to happen. Could however is used if the possibility of something happening is very low.

Modal Verbs of Ability

Modal verbs of ability are used to say that someone is physically or mentally able to do something. Can is the only modal verb of ability.
Koko can read the menu.

Modal Verbs of Permission and Requests

Modal verbs of permission and request are used to ask for permission to do something and to allow someone to do something. The four modal verbs of permission and requests are can, could, may and should. Can you pass the bread, please?

Modal Verbs of Advice

You use the two modal verbs of advice to tell someone what you think is a good idea for them to do. The modal verbs of advice are should and could.

Modal Verbs of Obligation

Modal verbs of obligation are used to talk about things that have to be done. An obligation is something you have to do. The two modal verbs of obligation are must and will. Pip must pay the check.

Conjugation of Modal Verbs

Some modal verbs have a past tense form. This form often expresses a different meaning. For example, although would is the past tense form of will, we usually only use it in negative sentences, when talking about unreal situations, or when talking about things we used to do on a regular basis.

Could is the past tense form of can. Pip can pay the check. Pip could pay the check when he had his wallet with him last week, but he can’t today.

For other modal verbs we use substitutes because they don’t have a past tense form.

Modal Verbs – Summary

In this text, we looked at modal verbs, their function in a sentence as well as looking at the different types of modal verbs. Let’s review what we learned about modal verbs in this text. Modals are auxiliary or helping verbs that give more information about the main verb.

You can find interactive modal verb exercises, worksheets and other activities on modal verbs at the top of this page, as well as a video.

Frequently Asked Questions about Modal Verbs

modal verb application example will future events Koko and Pip will wash the dishes. would negative statements Koko and Pip wouldn’t leave without paying. would unreal situation They would pay the check if Pip had brought his wallet. would regular events *They would always pay the check when they used to eat here every day. *

verb likelihood example could, might weak possibility Koko might order the eucalyptus salad. should probability Koko should order the eucalyptus salad because she always does. can, may stronger possibility Koko can order the eucalyptus salad because the restaurant has it on the menu. will certainty Koko will order the eucalyptus salad: she already told me that.

modal verb example sentence meaning function modal verb should You should put the napkin in your lap. It's a good idea to put the napkin in your lap. modal verb for advice modal verb can You can put the napkin in your lap. You're able to put the napkin in your lap. modal verb for ability modal verb may You may put the napkin in your lap. You're allowed to put the napkin in your lap. modal verb for permission modal verb must You must put the napkin in your lap. You have to put the napkin in your lap. modal verb of obligation modal verb will You will put the napkin in your lap. You are going to put the napkin in your lap. modal verb of possibility/probability

modal verbs of possibility modal verb of ability modal verbs of permission and requests modal verbs of advice modal verbs of obligation can could may might should will can

can could may would

should could must will Koko might order the eucalyptus salad. * Koko can read the menu. Can you pass the bread, please? May I have a glass of water, please? You should have brought your wallet. * Pip must pay the check.