The word modal is derived from the word mode which was used by the French in the medieval

period
(mid of 16th century) which was derived from the Latin word modus meaning “manner or mood”.
Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries) are special verbs that 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" (i.e., the bare infinitive.)
➢ They are used to indicate modality and allow speakers to express certainty, possibility,
willingness, obligation, necessity, ability.
➢ Modals do not have past tense forms, exception: could and would.
➢ Do not use double modals.
Types of Modal Verbs
There are two types of modal verbs
1. Modal auxiliary verbs
2. Quasi modal auxiliary verbs
Modal auxiliary verbs include: shall, should, can, could, will, would, may, must, might.
There are also quasi (apparently but not really; seemingly) modal auxiliary verbs: ought to, need to, has
to. Why only quasi? Because the nine modals sit before the base form: I shall go, I could go, etc., but
with ought/need/has we have to insert a to: I ought to go, it needs to be done, it has to be April.
[Structures to teach students: going to, about to, want to, want obj. to, have/has (got) to, let/let’s,
make, know how to, need to, ought to, had better, use to, use to of, be able to, be supposed to)
Use of Modal Verbs:
1. Permission
2. Ability
3. Obligation
4. Prohibition
5. Lack of necessity
6. Advice
7. possibility
8. probability

Use of can:
a. Express Ability or Inability/Refusals (can/be able to)
Example: We can see the lake from here. | you can use my pen if you do not have your own. | I can
come to see you tomorrow. | I can drive safely. | Oliver can perform two tasks at a time. | She can climb
the stairs. | They can perform on stage. | She can cook really well. | He can ride a horse.
You can’t have that. (refusal) | I can’t give my car to you. (refusal) | You can’t go out. (refusal) | They
can’t enter without permission. (refusal) | She can’t leave early. (refusal)
b. To Express Possibility or Non-possibility (can be)
Riding a horse can be challenging. | Learning two languages can be difficult. | Calling the police can be
helpful. | Riding without helmet can be dangerous. | Too much of junk food can make u sick. | The word
“dream” can be a noun or a verb.
c. To ask permission
Can I go out now? (request) | Can you give me your car? (request) | You can do as you like. | Can you
make it for two? | Can you call me after some time? (request)

Use of could:
a. Ability or Possibility in the past (but did not happen)
Example: We had a lovely room in the hotel. We could see the lake. | My grandfather could speak 5
languages. | I wish I could help. | We could do freely whatever we wanted. | You did a very risky flip.
You could have got killed OR you could have killed yourself. | Aslam could have shared his problems, but
he was too introvert.
b. Polite request
Could you please do it for me? | Could you please lend me some money? (would can also be used)
c. Possibility in the future (could be)
You could be the chief guest but only if you are rich. | the situation is bad, but it could be worse. | The
story could be true but I don’t think it is.

Use of May/Might:
a. Possibility in future when it is 70 – 80%. If possibility goes less to 20 – 30%, we use might.
He may help you in your assignment. | He may be able to help in your assignment. | You have got the
leave for 10 days. You may go on a vacation now. | He may/might be clever, but he is no match for what
he will face. | He may look innocent, but deep down, he is a cunning person OR cunning.
b. More polite requests (only 1st person)
May we help you with this? | I am weary. May I go now?
c. Past possibility (may/might have)
I wonder why she did not pick my phone. She may/might/could have fallen asleep OR she
may/might/could have slept. | He may/might have won the match, but he does not look happy.
d. For wishes
May you all stay happy! | May the New year bring you all your heart desires! | May his soul rest in
peace!
May/Might as well
Might as well do something = should do it because there is no better alternative and no reason not to do
it.
We missed the bus. Should we walk?
We might as well walk. It is a nice day after all.
What time are you going out?
I am ready, so I might as well go now.
You are getting bored! Do you want to watch T.V?
I might as well.
Use of Must/have (got) to/Should/Ought to
a. Strong obligation, duty or responsibility
You must return the bike if you use it.
b. Necessity
I must go to the doctor. I am not feeling well.
c. Strong possibility about 80 – 95%
He must be his father. | He must be doing some cheap stuff.
d. Recommendation, suggestion or proposal (should/ought to/be supposed to)
You should wear a helmet while riding a bike. | you ought to pursue your goal. | Should I apply for this
job?
e. Obligation in the past that could or did not happen
You should have taken your brother’s side. | I should have listened you. | He should have played well. It
should have been a successful plan. | How could he get the job? It should have been me.
f. Future possibility of something desirable
There should be some sugar left. | He should be inclined to work.

Use of would
a. Polite requests
Would you please help me in this? | Would you open the window, please? | Would you like to have a
cup of coffee? (could can be used but not with “like to”). Unlike will.
b. Past tense of will
He told me that he would come till quarter to 3. | I tried to warn him but he would not listen to me.
c. In Hypothetical/Imaginary Situations
He would have ruined your party. Thank God you did not invite him! | You would have lost the game
because you have not played this at all.
d. To Talk About the Outcome
It would be good for me to sleep early. | I would be happy to help you.
Just remember that could is used to talk about something that can happen,
would is used to talk about something that will happen in an imagined
situation, and should is used to talk about something that ought to happen or
must happen.
Rules
Use base for of verb with the modal. Modals do not change form
He could ride a bike for long distance. (Correct) | He could rode a bike for long distance. (Wrong)
Modals do not have infinitives or participles, nor they form “s” with 3rd person singular.
She should peddle slower. (Correct) | She shoulds peddle slower. (Wrong)
He must help with it. (Correct) | He must to help with it. (Wrong)
Use “not” to make modal verbs negative
I cannot drive a car. (Correct) | I do not can drive a car. (Wrong)
To form questions
Can I teach you how to ride a bike? | Should we start playing now? | Shall we begin