Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb which express the mood of another verb.
They are used to express ideas such as:
possibility, prediction, speculation, deduction and necessity.
Modal verbs
1) do not have participle or infinitive forms
2) do not take the ending -(e)s in the third-person singular.
| Modal | Concept | Example |
| Can | Ability:
Permission: Offers : |
Julie can swim.
Can I come with you? ('May' is also used.) Can I help you? |
| Could | Possibility:
Past ability : Permission : Requests : |
That story could be true - who knows!
Charlie could swim when he was four years old. Could I use your phone please? Could you tell me the way to the station please? |
| May | Possibility :
Permission : |
The President may come to our offices if the meeting finishes before 5 pm.
May I borrow your dictionary? |
| Might | Slight possibility :
Past form of 'may' |
We might win a prize but I doubt it.
The President said he might come. |
| Must
Mustn't |
Obligation :
Logical deduction : Prohibition: |
Dogs must be kept on a lead.
You must be tired after your long journey. You mustn't tell Alex. It's a surprise! |
| Should | Advice :
Logical deduction : |
You should take an umbrella in case it rains.
I've revised so I should be ready for the test. |
| Ought to* | Advice :
Logical deduction : |
You ought to write to your grandmother.
30 € ought to be enough for the taxi. |
| Shall | Future tense auxiliary :
Offers/suggestions |
I shall be in London on Monday (or I'll be ...).
Shall I order a taxi? |
| Will | Future tense auxiliary:
Invitations/offers : |
The ticket will cost about 50€.
Will you join us for coffee? Won't you come in? |