What are modal verbs?

Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary

verbs, modal auxiliaries)are special verbs which behave
irregularly in English.

• They are different from normal verbs like "work, play,

visit..."
• They give additional information about the function of
the main verb that follows it.
• They have a great variety of communicative functions.
Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:

• They never change their form.

• You can't add "s", "ed", "ing"...
• They are always followed by an infinitive without
"to" (e.i. the bare infinitive.)
• They are used to indicate modality allow speakers to
express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation,
necessity, ability.
Modal Verb Expressing Example

must strong obligation You must stop when the traffic

lights turn red.

logical conclusion/ He must be very tired. He’s been

certainty working all day long.

strong suggestion You must listen to me.

must not prohibition You must not smoke in the

hospital.
Modal Verb Expressing Example

can ability (present) I can speak four languages.

possibility (present) Smoking can cause cancer.

permission (informal) Can I use your book, please?

request (informal) Can you hand me the pen?

offer (help) Can I help you?

Modal Verb Expressing Example

could ability (past) I could play a guitar when I was a

child.

possibility (past) A lot of crime could be prevented.

permission (polite) Could we go home?

request (polite) Could you lend me this book?

suggestion I could help you with english.

Modal Verb Expressing Example

may permission May I use your phone please?

possibility, It may rain tomorrow!

probability

might permission (polite) Might I suggest an idea?

possibility I might go on holiday to Australia

next year.
Modal Verb Expressing Example

need not lack of necessity/ I need not buy tomatoes. There

absence of are plenty of tomatoes in the
obligation fridge.

should/ 50% obligation I should see a doctor. I have a

ought to terrible headache.

advice You should/ ought to revise

your lessons.

logical conclusion He should be very tired. He’s

been working all day long.

had better advice You’d better go to school

tomorrow.
CREDITS to ALL

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