What Are Modal Verbs? (Explained, Plus Examples)

What Are Modal Verbs:

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs used to express things like possibility, ability, permission, necessity, and obligation. They’re special because they don’t change based on the subject of the sentence (e.g., I can, she can), and they don’t take “s” in the third-person singular form.

Here’s a breakdown of some common modal verbs and how they’re used:

1. Can / Could

• Can expresses ability or possibility.
  • I can swim. (ability)
  • It can rain tomorrow. (possibility)
• Could expresses a past ability, possibility, or polite request.
  • When I was younger, I could run faster. (past ability)
  • Could you help me? (polite request)

2. May / Might

• May expresses permission or possibility.
  • May I leave early today? (permission)
  • It may snow later. (possibility)
• Might suggests a weaker possibility or uncertainty.
  • She might come to the party. (uncertainty)

3. Shall / Should

• Shall is used for suggestions, offers, or formal requests (mostly British English).
  • Shall we dance? (suggestion)
  • I shall call you later. (promise or offer)
• Should expresses advice, expectation, or duty.
  • You should eat more vegetables. (advice)
  • He should arrive by 5 PM. (expectation)

4. Will / Would

• Will expresses future intention, willingness, or strong likelihood.
  • I will help you with that. (willingness)
  • It will rain tomorrow. (strong possibility)
• Would is used for polite requests, hypothetical situations, or past habitual actions.
  • Would you like some coffee? (polite request)
  • I would travel more if I had the time. (hypothetical situation)

5. Must

• Must expresses necessity or strong obligation.
  • You must wear a helmet. (necessity)
  • I must leave now. (strong obligation)

6. Ought to

• Ought to is similar to should and expresses advice, obligation, or expectation.
  • You ought to apologize. (advice)
  • They ought to be here by now. (expectation)

7. Need (in some cases)

• Need can act as a modal verb, especially in negative or question forms, to express necessity or obligation.
  • You need not worry. (no obligation)
  • Need I explain this again? (questioning necessity)

Examples:

• Can: She can play the piano. (ability)
• Should: You should call your mom. (advice)
• Must: He must finish his work by 5 PM. (necessity)
• Might: I might go to the movies later. (possibility)

Modal verbs can change the tone and meaning of a sentence significantly. They allow speakers to express different shades of meaning, from polite requests to firm commands, and much more.

Modal verbs Exercise:

Fill in the blanks with the correct modal verb (can, could, may, might, must, should, would)

1. You _______ finish your homework before you go out to play.
2. He _______ be at the office right now, but I’m not sure.
3. You _______ speak French to understand the movie.
4. I _______ help you with that if you want.
5. We _______ go to the park tomorrow if the weather is nice.
6. You _______ eat so much junk food; it’s bad for your health.
7. _______ I borrow your pen for a moment?
8. She _______ have left her keys at home, that’s why she can’t get in.

Answers:

1. must
2. might
3. can
4. could
5. may
6. should
7. May
8. must

Conclusion:

Modal verbs are an essential part of English that help convey a wide range of meanings, such as possibility, necessity, permission, ability, and obligation. By using modals, speakers can add nuance to their sentences, making them more precise or polite. Understanding how and when to use modals like can, may, should, must, and others can enhance both spoken and written communication, offering flexibility in how we express ideas and interact with others.

FAQ’s:

1. What are modal verbs?

Modal verbs are auxiliary (helping) verbs used to express necessity, possibility, permission, ability, or advice. Common modal verbs include: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would.

2. How do I use ‘can’?

• Ability: “She can swim very well.”
• Permission: “You can leave once the bell rings.”
• Possibility: “It can get really hot in the summer.”

3. What’s the difference between ‘may’ and ‘might’?

• May: More certain, often used for permission. “You may leave now.”
• Might: Less certain, used for possibility. “It might rain later.”

4. When should I use ‘must’?

• Necessity or obligation: “You must wear a helmet when riding a bike.”
• Strong probability: “She must be at home by now.”

5. How is ‘should’ used?

• Advice or suggestion: “You should study for the exam.”
• Expectation: “The train should arrive at 3 PM.”

6. What is the difference between ‘will’ and ‘would’?

• Will: Used for future actions or offers. “I will help you with that.”
• Would: Used for polite requests, hypothetical situations, or past habits. “Would you like some coffee?” or “If I were rich, I would travel the world.”

7. Can I use modal verbs in the past tense?

Some modal verbs, like ‘could’ and ‘would’, can refer to past actions or hypothetical situations. For example:

• “She could have won the race if she hadn’t fallen.”
• “I would have gone to the party if I had known about it.”

8. Is there a difference between ‘can’ and ‘could’?

• Can: Refers to present ability or permission. “I can drive a car.”
• Could: Refers to past ability, polite requests, or hypothetical situations. “When I was younger, I could run faster.”