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English Modal Verbs Explained

The document provides a comprehensive overview of modal verbs in English, including their forms, uses, and distinctions from regular verbs. It categorizes modals into functions such as making assumptions, expressing ability, obligation, prohibition, lack of obligation, advice, permission, habits, and possibility. Examples are given for each category to illustrate their application in sentences.

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6 views2 pages

English Modal Verbs Explained

The document provides a comprehensive overview of modal verbs in English, including their forms, uses, and distinctions from regular verbs. It categorizes modals into functions such as making assumptions, expressing ability, obligation, prohibition, lack of obligation, advice, permission, habits, and possibility. Examples are given for each category to illustrate their application in sentences.

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zr462kx6p6
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Here's a list of the modal verbs in English:

will/would
can could may might

should/
be able to must have to needn’t
ought to

Modals are different from normal verbs:

1: They don't use an 's' for the third person singular.


2: They make questions by inversion ('she can go' becomes 'can she go?').
3: They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb (without 'to').

Making assumptions:

First, they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something
happened / is happening / will happen. We often call these 'modals of
deduction' or 'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'.
For example:

• It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside.


• This bill can't be right. £200 for two cups of coffee!

Ability

We use 'can' , 'could' and ‘be able to ‘ to talk about a skill or ability.
For example:

• She can speak six languages.


• My grandfather could play golf very well. (In the past. He is no longer
living).
• I can't swim, so I won’t go scuba diving on holiday.
• I hope to be able to learn to play the piano when I have more free time.

Obligation

We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'have to' to express obligation.


For example:

• Children must do their homework.


• We have to wear a uniform at work.
Prohibition

• The students mustn’t talk during the university entrance exam or they
will be asked to leave.

Lack of obligation

• I don’t have to study because I have already passed the class.

Advice

We can use verbs such as ‘should’, ‘ought to’ or ‘shouldn’t’ to give advice. For
example

• You should stop smoking.


• You shouldn’t drink alcohol and drive.
• You ought to take a break from studying.

Permission

We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for and give
permission. For example:

• Could I leave early today, please?


• You may not use the car tonight.
• Can we swim in the lake?

Habits

We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits or things we usually do, or
did in the past.
For example:

• When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant next to my


flat.
• John will always be late!

Possibility

We use ‘may’ and ‘might’ to talk about things that are possible, such as:

• There is a lot of traffic. I might be late for work.


• I may go on holiday with Janet next year.

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