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English Grammar

Modal Verbs with Simple Definitions and Usage

Examples
3 months ago • 8,001 Views

Modal verbs, like can, may, will, and should, are special words that help us express
abilities, permissions, and possibilities in English. They are always used with a base verb,
like “can swim” or “may go.” These verbs are important because they help us make
requests, give advice, and talk about what might happen. Understanding modal verbs is a
key part of learning English, making communication clearer and more e!ective.

Table of Contents
1. What Are Modal Verbs?
2. Types of Modal Verbs and Their Uses
1. 1. Can and Could
2. 2. May and Might
3. 3. Shall and Should
4. 4. Will and Would
5. 5. Must and Ought to
3. Advanced Usage of Modal Verbs
1. Modal Verbs in Conditional Sentences
2. Modal Verbs in Questions
3. Modal Perfect
4. List of Modal Verbs
5. Modal Verbs Example Sentences
6. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

What Are Modal Verbs?

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Olha na Shopee
Shopee

Modal
Modal verbs
verbs are auxiliary verbs that express a speaker’s attitude towards the action of
the main verb. Unlike regular verbs, modal verbs do not change form based on the subject
and do not have past or future forms. The most common modal verbs are can, could, may,
might, shall, should, would, must, and ought to.

Types of Modal Verbs and Their Uses

1. Can and Could
Can
Can: Indicates ability or possibility. It is used for present or general abilities.
Example: She can play the piano.
Could
Could: Used for past abilities or polite requests.
Example: When I was young, I could run fast.

Modal
Modal Verb
Verb Use
Use Case
Case Example
Example

Can Ability He can speak three languages.

Could Past Ability I could swim when I was five.

2. May and Might

May
May: Used for formal requests or to express possibility.
Example: May I leave early today?
Might
Might: Suggests a lower probability than “may.”
Example: It might rain tomorrow.

Modal
Modal Verb
Verb Use
Use Case
Case Example
Example

May Permission You may go out after finishing homework.

Might Possibility (less certain) She might come to the party.

3. Shall and Should

Shall
Shall: Traditionally used with “I” and “we” for future actions or suggestions.
Example: Shall we dance?
Should
Should: Expresses advice, obligation, or expectation.
Example: You should wear a coat; it’s cold outside.

Modal
Modal Verb
Verb Use
Use Case
Case Example
Example

Shall Suggestion Shall we start the meeting?

Should Advice You should see a doctor about that cough.

4. Will and Would

Will
Will: Indicates future actions or strong intentions.
Example: I will call you tomorrow.
Would
Would: Used for polite requests or hypothetical situations.
Example: Would you like some tea?

Modal
Modal Verb
Verb Use
Use Case
Case Example
Example

Will Future Intentions I will visit my grandparents next week.

Would Polite Requests Would you mind opening the window?

5. Must and Ought to

Must
Must: Indicates necessity or strong obligation.
Example: You must wear a seatbelt while driving.
Ought
Ought to
to: Used to express moral obligation or advice.
Example: You ought to apologize for being late.

Modal
Modal Verb
Verb Use
Use Case
Case Example
Example

Must Necessity/Obligation You must finish your work by 5 PM.

Ought to Moral Obligation/Advice We ought to help those in need.

Types of Modal Verbs and Their Uses

Advanced Usage of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs can also be used in various advanced structures to convey nuanced
meanings. Here are some examples:

Modal Verbs in Conditional Sentences

Modal verbs are commonly used in conditional sentences to show possibilities,
suggestions, or imaginary situations. Here are some examples:

Could
Could: If I could speak French, I would move to France.
Might
Might: If it rains, we might stay indoors.
Would
Would: If he studied harder, he would pass the exam.

Modal Verbs in Questions

Modal verbs can be used to form questions, which often involve asking for permission or
making polite requests. Here are some examples:

Can
Can: Can I borrow your pen?
May
May: May I sit here?
Would
Would: Would you help me with this task?

Modal Perfect
The modal perfect form is used to make guesses or assumptions about past events. Here
are some examples:

Must
Must have
have: He must have forgotten his keys.
Could
Could have
have: She could have taken the earlier train.
Might
Might have
have: They might have left already.

Modal
Modal Verb
Verb Advanced
Advanced Use
Use Case
Case Example
Example

Would Hypothetical Situations If I were you, I would study harder.

Must Speculation about Past He must have been tired.

List of Modal Verbs

Can
Could
May
Might
Shall
Should
Will
Would
Must
Ought to
Need to
Have to
Had better
Would rather
Could have
Should have
Might have
Will have
Would have
Must have

List of Modal Verbs with examples

Modal Verbs Example Sentences

She can
can sing very well.
You must
must finish your homework before dinner.
They might
might come to the party.
We should
should go to the doctor.
He could
could play the guitar when he was younger.
May
May I borrow your pen?
You ought
ought to
to apologize for being late.
Will
Will you help me with this project?
You need
need to
to bring your ID to enter the building.
I would
would like a cup of tea, please.
She has
has to
to work late tonight.
They might
might not
not understand the instructions.
He shouldn’t
shouldn’t eat so much junk food.
Can
Can you help me with this problem?
We mustn’t
mustn’t forget to lock the door.
You don’t
don’t have
have to
to come if you’re busy.
Could
Could you please pass the salt?
He wouldn’t
wouldn’t agree to the plan.
Shall
Shall we go for a walk?
You had
had better
better take an umbrella, just in case.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Using
Using the
the wrong
wrong modal
modal verb
verb: Always consider the context and meaning.
Incorrect: He can be at home now. (Wrong because “can” suggests ability, not
certainty)
Correct: He might be at home now. (Correct as it indicates possibility)
2. Forgetting
Forgetting the
the base
base form
form of
of the
the main
main verb
verb: Remember, modal verbs are
followed by the base form of the verb.
Incorrect: She can to swim.
Correct: She can swim.

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#Modal Verbs with examples #types of modal verbs #what are modal verbs

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

mrmrsenglish.com
The Author is a Certified TEFL Trainer from Arizona State University having experience of 7
years in teaching English worldwide to the students with diverse culture. He is a passionate
English language trainer by both profession and passion.

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