Modal Verbs

Table of contents
1. Definition
2. How are modal verbs used in sentences?
3. Modal verbs list
4. Modal verbs and auxiliary verbs
5. Modal verbs and mood
6. Other uses of modal verbs
7. Why is it important to learn modal verbs?
8. Difference between « can » and « could ».
9. « May I » and « Can I »
10. « Shall » and « Should »

1. Definition
A modal verb (also called a modal auxiliary verb) is used along with a main verb to express
possibility, ability, permission, or necessity. For example, in the statement “you must leave,”
“must” is a modal verb indicating that it’s necessary for the subject (“you”) to perform the action
of the verb (“leave”).

The modal verb “will” is used to form the future tense, indicating an action that has not yet
occurred (e.g., “I will clean the garage”).

Examples: Modal verbs in a sentence

We should listen to some music.
Can you drive me to the airport?
Amanda might practice her German.

2. How are modal verbs used in sentences?

Modal verbs are used along with a main verb to indicate ability, necessity, possibility, and
permission. In sentences containing modal verbs, the main verb typically takes the infinitive
form. Modal verbs come before main verbs and never change form.

Examples: How to use modal verbs

I might walk to work today.
You may have as many cookies as you’d like.
Lina must order tickets in advance if she wants to go to the theater.

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3. Modal verbs list
Below is a table that illustrates some of the various uses of modal verbs. Note that modal verbs
are very commonly used in a wide variety of senses—this table doesn’t cover every possible
usage.

Modal verb Function Example

Can Indicate ability Javi can play the guitar.
Indicate possibility We can drive or walk.
Indicate permission (informal) You can borrow that book.
Make a request (informal) Can I have some water?
Could Past form of “can” She could speak French.
Indicate possibility You could become a chef.
Make a polite request Could you tell me the time?
May Indicate possibility Dana may arrive late.
Indicate permission (formal) You may enter.
Make a request (formal) May I respond?
Might Indicate possibility I might order pizza.
Must Indicate obligation Cyclists must wear helmets.
Indicate likelihood You must be very proud.
Shall Indicate a future action (normally used I shall attend.
only with “I” and “we”) Shall we arrange a meeting?
Ask a question (normally used only with
“I” and “we”)
Should Make a suggestion You should watch that film.
Indicate likelihood Tom should be at the office.
Will Indicate a future action or event Fay will book the venue.
Make a polite request Will you get the door?
Would Past form of “will” She would often work late.
Make a polite request Would you call back later?

4. Modal verbs and auxiliary verbs

Modal verbs are classed as a type of auxiliary verb. Auxiliary verbs are used along with a main
verb to express tense, mood, or voice. However, unlike modal verbs, regular auxiliary verbs
follow subject-verb agreement and must be conjugated for tense and mood.

Examples: Auxiliary verbs in a sentence

Mary was building a sandcastle.
Gordon has burned the toast.
Do you know what time it is?

Modal verbs can be used along with auxiliary verbs to refer to possible past, continuous, or future
action.

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When a modal verb is followed by another auxiliary verb (e.g., “have,” “be”), the main verb takes
either the past participle form (typically ending in “-ed,” “-n,” or “-t”) or the present
participle form (ending in “-ing”).

The modal verb “will” is used in all aspects of the future tense (e.g., “I will talk,” “you will
be traveling”).

Examples: Modal and auxiliary verbs combined

He should have asked me first.
You may be wondering what I mean.
Farrah will have finished work by then.

5. Modal verbs and mood

The grammatical mood of a verb indicates the intention of the sentence. Modal
verbs and auxiliary verbs are used along with a main verb to express mood.

Grammatical Function Example

mood
Indicative State a fact “Lana is drinking coffee.”
Imperative Express a command or a request (often with a “Don’t forget to call.”
negative auxiliary verb)
Interrogative Ask a question “Would you open the window?”
Conditional Express a condition “You should leave now if you want to
get the bus.”
Subjunctive Express a wish, doubt, or hypothetical situation “If you were free, we could watch a
movie.”

6. Other uses of modal verbs

Modal verbs have various other functions in English. They can also be used:

 In indirect speech
 In negative statements
 For emphasis

Indirect speech
Modal verbs are used in indirect speech to indicate what someone else said. While most modal
verbs stay the same when used in indirect speech, the past form of some modal verbs is used
instead (e.g., “can” becomes “could”).

Examples: Modal verbs and reported speech

Darren said “I will visit on Saturday.”
Darren said he would visit on Saturday.

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Pria said “we should go to France.”
Pria said we should go to France.

Negative statements
In negative statements containing modal verbs, the adverb “not” comes immediately after the
modal verb and before all other verbs. The negative form is often contracted (e.g., “would not”
becomes “wouldn’t”).

Examples: How to use modal verbs

Tera can’t focus because her brother is playing the drums.
You mustn’t play football inside the house anymore.

Emphasis
In everyday conversation, people sometimes place emphasis on a modal verb to refute a previous
statement or question. The emphasized word is often italicized when written down.

Examples: Modal verbs emphasizing a statement

Why can’t you be nice?
I can be nice!
You won’t finish the project on time.
I will finish it on time!

7. Why Is It Important to Learn Modal Verbs?

Learning modal verbs is essential because they add depth and precision to your communication.
They allow you to express not just actions, but also attitudes, degrees of politeness, and levels of
certainty. Understanding modal verbs helps you navigate various social and professional
interactions more effectively.

Enhancing Communication Skills

Modal verbs enable you to make requests, offer help, give advice, and express possibilities in a
nuanced manner. For instance, saying “Can you help me?” is more direct than “Could you help
me?” which is softer and more polite.

Navigating Social Interactions

Using modal verbs appropriately helps you interact with others in socially acceptable ways. For
example, using “may” for permission in formal settings (“May I come in?”) shows respect and
politeness.

Clarifying Intentions

Modal verbs help clarify your intentions, whether you’re expressing necessity (“You must stop
smoking”), giving advice (“You should try this”), or indicating a future action (“I will call you”).

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8. Difference Between Can and Could

The English language can be tricky, especially when it comes to modal verbs like “can” and
“could.” These words are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and uses.
Understanding the difference between “can” and “could” is essential for mastering English
grammar. This article will explore their differences, when to use “can,” and when to use “could,”
with clear examples to guide you.

What is the Difference Between Can and Could?

“Can” and “could” are both modal verbs that express ability, possibility, permission, and
requests. However, they differ in terms of time, politeness, and degree of certainty. “Can” is used
to express present ability or possibility, such as in the sentences “I can swim” and “You can reach
me by phone.” On the other hand, “could” is the past tense of “can” and is used to express past
ability or possibility. For example, “I could swim when I was a child” and “She could reach the
top shelf when she was younger” illustrate this usage.

In terms of politeness, “could” is often considered more polite and formal than “can.” This
distinction is particularly important when making requests or asking for permission. For instance,
“Can you help me with this?” is less polite compared to “Could you help me with this?”
Additionally, “can” implies a higher degree of certainty or direct ability, while “could” often
suggests a hypothetical situation or a lower degree of certainty. For example, “We can go to the
park if it stops raining” is more certain, whereas “We could go to the park if it stops raining” is
less certain and more hypothetical.

When to Use Can

“Can” is used in various contexts to express ability, possibility, permission, and requests. When
expressing ability, “can” is used to talk about someone’s capability to do something in the
present. For example, “She can play the piano” and “I can speak three languages” demonstrate
present abilities.

In terms of possibility, “can” indicates that something is possible or that someone has the
potential to do something. For instance, “This road can be dangerous at night” and “Anyone can
learn to cook” show the potential and possibility of situations. When seeking permission, “can” is
used, though it is less formal. Examples include “Can I use your phone?” and “Can we leave
early today?”

Furthermore, “can” is commonly used when making direct requests. Phrases like “Can you pass
the salt?” and “Can you help me with my homework?” illustrate how “can” is used in this
context.

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When to Use Could

“Could” serves multiple functions, including expressing past ability, making polite requests, and
suggesting possibilities. To express past ability, “could” is used to describe what someone was
able to do in the past. For example, “He could run very fast when he was young” and “I could
read when I was four years old” highlight past abilities.

When making polite requests, “could” is preferred for a more formal tone. For instance, “Could
you please open the window?” and “Could I borrow your book?” demonstrate polite requests. In
addition to this, “could” is used to suggest possibilities or hypothetical situations. Sentences like
“It could rain later” and “We could go to the beach tomorrow” illustrate how “could” is
employed to discuss potential events.

Finally, “could” is often used if you need to ask permission in a more polite or formal manner.
Examples include “Could I leave early today?” and “Could we postpone the meeting?” which
show how “could” softens the request.

In Summary, understanding the difference between “can” and “could” is vital for using these
modal verbs correctly. “Can” is used for present abilities, possibilities, and more direct requests
and permissions. In contrast, “could” is used for past abilities, polite requests, and hypothetical or
less certain possibilities.

9. “May I” and “Can I”

Definition of “May I”

“May I” is a phrase used to ask for permission in a polite and formal manner. It emphasises
respect and courtesy, making it suitable for situations where formality is expected or desired. For
example, in professional settings, formal gatherings, or when speaking to someone of higher
authority, “May I” is the preferred choice. For instance, “May I leave the room?” or “May I
borrow your pen?” are examples of how “May I” is used to seek permission politely.

Definition of “Can I”

“Can I” is also used to ask for permission but is considered less formal than “May I.” It often
focuses more on the ability or possibility of doing something rather than the act of seeking
permission. While “Can I” is grammatically correct and widely understood, it is more casual and
commonly used in everyday conversations, especially among peers and in informal settings.
Examples include “Can I go out tonight?” or “Can I have another slice of cake?”

What are the Differences between “Can I” and “May I”?

The primary difference between “Can I” and “May I” lies in their level of formality and the
context in which they are used. “May I” is more formal and polite, often used in situations

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requiring a higher degree of respect. For example, in a business meeting, one might say, “May I
present my report?” This phrase emphasises respect and acknowledges the authority of the person
being asked.

On the other hand, “Can I” is more casual and focuses on the ability to do something. It is
commonly used in informal contexts where strict politeness is not necessary. For instance, a
student might ask a classmate, “Can I borrow your notes?” Here, the phrase implies capability
and familiarity rather than strict permission.

Another key difference is that “Can I” sometimes causes confusion as it can imply both ability
and permission. For example, “Can I swim?” might be interpreted as “Am I capable of
swimming?” or “Do I have permission to swim?” In contrast, “May I swim?” clearly asks for
permission, leaving no room for ambiguity.

10. “Shall” vs. “Should”: What’s The Difference?

When to use shall or should

The word shall is an auxiliary verb, also known as a helping verb. It is commonly used together
with other verbs to express intention, as in what one plans to, intends to, or expects to do, as well
communicate obligation (in the case of laws and directives). It can also be used to ask questions.
For example:
 I shall go with Gary to the store tomorrow.
 We shall return this wallet because it is the right thing to do.
 All official meetings shall be held in the town hall.
 Shall we dance?

Should is the past tense form of shall. Should is the form of shall that is used in the subjunctive
mood to express hypothetical statements. For example:
 If the king should die unexpectedly, his brother becomes regent.

However, this usage of should is not common in modern American English (and is more common
in British English). Instead, should is most often used to state an obligation or duty someone has,
as in You should always have a spare roll of toilet paper or I really should clean the garage, but I
can never find the time.

Both shall and should are used in questions. Both words are often used interchangeably, but the
word should often implies that the asker is more conflicted or less confident in what the correct
answer is than if they used the word shall. For example:
 Shall I open this door? (The asker is pretty confident that opening the door is the correct
thing to do.)
 Should I open this door? (The asker is hesitant about opening the door or doesn’t know if
opening the door is a good idea or not.)
Like other auxiliary verbs, shall and should are sometimes used alone. In these cases, the main
verb is understood but has been omitted. For example:
 She asked me if I will go to the party tonight and I said that I shall (go).
 I don’t wash my car as often as I should (wash it).

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Verbs similar to shall and should
Two other auxiliary verbs follow a similar pattern to shall and should. The word would is used as
the past tense of will and the word could is used as the past tense of can.

Examples of shall and should used in a sentence

We should test what we have learned by looking at example sentences that show how we typically
use shall and should.
 We shall decorate the ballroom tonight.
 You really should avoid going near that hornet’s nest.
 If it should rain tomorrow, the guests can eat inside.
 Shall we tell him which box we think he should open?
 I think we should ask somebody where the parade shall be held.

References :
1. https://www.scribbr.com/verbs/modal-verb
2. https://www.proofreading.co.uk
3. https://www.thesaurus.com/e/grammar/