Modal verbs
A modal verb is a verb that is used before another verb to express meanings such as
ability, permission, possibility, necessity or advice.
The modal verbs are can, could,may, might,must, ought, shall, should, will and
would. Need and used to can follow some of the grammar patterns of modal verbs,
but are also used like ordinary verbs. For more information about any modal verb,
look in the dictionary at the entry for the word.
The grammar of modal verbs
• they are usually followed by an infinitive without to
You should thank him
You should to thank him.
• there is no ‘s’ for the third person singular
he must, she must, it must
• they have no infinitive or -ing form
I would like to can go.
• they cannot follow another verb.
I want to can sleep tonight.
• they are not used in future, perfect or continuous tenses
they will might be angry.
they have must leave.
they are canning to speak English.
Example modal verb: can
Look at the extract on the right
which is based on what is in the
dictionary. From the guidewords,we
can see that the modal verb can is
used to describe the following ideas:
• ability
• permission
• request
• possibility
• polite offers of help
Look at the example sentences.
Notice that
• The forms of can for you and she
are the same: you can, she can
• When you use modal verbs in
questions or negatives you do not
use auxiliary verbs such as do or
have: Can you drive?
