Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are auxiliary (helping) verbs that express necessity, possibility, permission, ability, and more. They are used to modify the main verb in a sentence and provide additional meaning. Unlike regular verbs, modal verbs do not change form based on the subject.

Modal Verbs - Exercises

These exercises focus on Modal Verbs

List of Common Modal Verbs

Modal Verb	Uses	Examples
Can	Ability, possibility, permission	"I can swim." / "You can borrow my book."
Could	Past ability, polite requests, possibility	"She could run fast." / "Could you help me?"
May	Permission, possibility	"You may leave early." / "It may rain."
Might	Possibility (less certain than "may")	"We might go to the park later."
Shall	Suggestions, future intention (formal)	"Shall we go out?" / "I shall return soon."
Should	Advice, obligation, expectation	"You should study for the test."
Will	Future intention, promises, certainty	"I will call you tomorrow."
Would	Politeness, hypothetical situations	"I would like some tea." / "If I were rich, I would travel."
Must	Necessity, strong obligation, deduction	"You must wear a seatbelt." / "He must be tired."
Ought to	Advice, expectation	"You ought to apologize."

Characteristics of Modal Verbs

No Infinitive or -ing Forms
Modal verbs don’t take infinitive, past, or participle forms. For example:

Incorrect: "I canned do it."
Correct: "I can do it."

Followed by the Base Form
Modals are always followed by the base form of the verb (without "to").

Example: "You should study." (Not "should to study")

No -s for Third Person Singular
Unlike regular verbs, modals do not add -s in the third person singular.

Example: "He can swim." (Not "He cans swim")

Uses of Modal Verbs with Examples

Ability: "She can play the piano."
Permission: "You can use my laptop."
Possibility: "It can be very cold in January."

Could

Past Ability: "When I was younger, I could run faster."
Polite Request: "Could you help me with this?"
Possibility: "It could rain later."

Permission: "You may take a break now."
Possibility: "It may snow tomorrow."

Might

Possibility: "We might go to the beach if the weather improves."

Shall

Suggestions: "Shall we have dinner now?"
Formal Intentions: "I shall see to it that your request is fulfilled."

Should

Advice: "You should eat more vegetables."
Expectation: "He should arrive by 6 p.m."

Will

Future Intention: "I will call you tomorrow."
Promises: "We will never forget this day."

Would

Politeness: "Would you like some tea?"
Hypothetical Situations: "If I were you, I would apologize."

Must

Necessity: "You must wear a helmet."
Deduction: "He must be the new teacher."

Ought to

Advice: "You ought to see a doctor."
Expectation: "The train ought to arrive soon."

Summary Table

Modal Verb	Main Uses	Examples
Can	Ability, Permission, Possibility	"I can drive." / "You can leave early."
Could	Past Ability, Polite Requests, Possibility	"She could swim well." / "Could you help?"
May	Permission, Possibility	"You may go." / "It may rain today."
Might	Possibility	"It might snow later."
Shall	Suggestions, Intentions (formal)	"Shall we go?" / "I shall return."
Should	Advice, Obligation, Expectation	"You should try harder."
Will	Future Intention, Certainty, Promises	"I will visit you."
Would	Politeness, Hypotheticals	"I would love some coffee."
Must	Necessity, Strong Obligation, Deduction	"You must leave now." / "He must be tired."
Ought to	Advice, Expectation	"You ought to exercise regularly."

FAQ

Can modal verbs stand alone?

No, modal verbs must always be followed by a main verb in its base form (e.g., "He can swim," not "He can.").

What’s the difference between "may" and "might"?

"May" implies a higher likelihood of something happening, while "might" suggests a lower likelihood. Example:

"It may rain" (more certain)
"It might rain" (less certain)

Can "shall" be used in informal English?

"Shall" is less common in informal English, especially in American English, where "will" or "should" is often used instead. Example:

Formal: "Shall we begin?"
Informal: "Should we start?"

What’s the difference between "must" and "have to"?

Both express necessity, but "must" is more formal and is often used for strong obligations or rules. Example:

"You must wear a helmet" (a rule).
"I have to leave early today" (a personal obligation).

Is "ought to" the same as "should"?

Yes, they are similar and often interchangeable, though "ought to" is less commonly used and sounds more formal.