Modals
What are Modals?
Modals are helping (auxiliary) verbs used to express ability, possibility, permission,
obligation, advice, necessity, requests, offers, and certainty.
Common Modals
• Can
• Could
• May
• Might
• Shall
• Should
• Will
• Would
• Must
• Ought to
• Need (as a modal in some contexts)
• Dare (as a modal in some contexts)
Structure
Subject + Modal + Base Form (V1) + Object
Examples:
• She can sing beautifully.
• You should study regularly.
• They must wear helmets.
Remember: After a modal, always use the base form (V1) of the verb.
• She can go.
• She can goes.
Uses of Modals
1. CAN
Uses:
• Ability
• Permission (informal)
• Possibility
Examples
• I can swim.
• Can I borrow your pen?
• It can get very hot in May.
2. COULD
Uses:
• Past ability
• Polite request
• Suggestion
• Weak possibility
Examples
• She could read at the age of four.
• Could you help me?
• We could go to the park.
• It could rain tonight.
3. MAY
Uses:
• Formal permission
• Possibility
• Wishes
Examples
• May I come in?
• She may arrive late.
• May God bless you.
4. MIGHT
Uses:
• Less certain possibility
Examples
• It might snow tomorrow.
• He might not come today.
5. SHALL
Uses:
• Suggestions
• Offers
• Future (with I/We in formal English)
Examples
• Shall we begin?
• Shall I open the window?
6. SHOULD
Uses:
• Advice
• Duty
• Expectation
Examples
• You should exercise daily.
• Students should respect teachers.
• The train should arrive soon.
7. WILL
Uses:
• Future
• Promise
• Willingness
• Prediction
Examples
• I will call you tomorrow.
• I will help you.
• It will rain tomorrow.
8. WOULD
Uses:
• Polite request
• Habit in the past
• Imaginary situations
Examples
• Would you like some tea?
• When we were children, we would play outside.
• I would travel if I had money.
9. MUST
Uses:
• Strong obligation
• Necessity
• Strong certainty
Examples
• You must wear a seat belt.
• We must finish the project.
• She must be at home.
10. OUGHT TO
Uses:
• Moral duty
• Advice
Examples
• We ought to help the poor.
• You ought to apologise.
11. NEED
Uses:
• Necessity (mainly in negative and questions)
Examples
• You need not worry.
• Need I come now?
12. DARE
Uses:
• Courage
Examples
• How dare you speak like that?
• He dare not tell the truth.
Difference Between Similar Modals
Can vs Could
• Can = Present ability
• Could = Past ability / Polite request
Example
• I can drive.
• I could drive when I was 18.
• Could you help me?
May vs Might
• May = More likely
• Might = Less likely
Example
• It may rain. (Higher possibility)
• It might rain. (Lower possibility)
Must vs Should
• Must = Compulsory
• Should = Advice
Example
• You must wear a helmet.
• You should wear a helmet.
Will vs Would
• Will = Future/decision
• Would = Polite request or imaginary situation
Example
• I will help you.
• Would you help me?
Negative Forms
• Cannot / Can't
• Couldn't
• May not
• Might not
• Shall not (Shan't)
• Shouldn't
• Won't
• Wouldn't
• Mustn't
• Needn't
• Ought not to
Examples
• You mustn't smoke here.
• She shouldn't waste time.
Rules to Remember
1. A modal is always followed by the base form (V1) of the verb.
2. Two modals cannot come together.
o He will can come.
o He will be able to come.
3. Modals do not change with the subject.
o I can, He can, They can.
CBSE Error Spotting
Incorrect → Correct
• She can sings.
• She can sing.
• He must goes.
• He must go.
• You should to study.
• You should study.
CBSE Practice Questions
Fill in the blanks with suitable modals:
1. You ______ obey your parents. (must/should)
2. ______ I borrow your notebook? (May/Can)
3. She ______ swim when she was six. (could)
4. It ______ rain this evening. (may/might)
5. We ______ leave now or we'll miss the bus. (must)
Quick Revision Table
Modal Main Use Example
Can Ability, permission I can swim.
Could Past ability, polite request Could you help me?
May Permission, possibility May I come in?
Might Weak possibility It might rain.
Shall Suggestion, offer Shall we start?
Should Advice You should study.
Will Future, promise I will help.
Would Polite request, imaginary situations Would you like tea?
Must Obligation, necessity You must obey rules.
Ought to Moral duty We ought to help others.
Need Necessity You need not worry.
Dare Courage How dare you!