A modal verb is a type of verb that is used to indicate modality – that is likelihood, ability, permission, request, capacity, suggestions, order, obligation, or advice.
The verb that comes after a modal is always in the base form.
Examples:
Most birds can fly except for a few species like cassowary.
The negative of a modal is formed just like any other verb. Add ‘not’ after the modal. The negative can also be written in a contracted form.
The contraction for ‘may not’ (mayn’t) and ‘might not’ (mightn’t) are used in spoken usage, and only in informal writing.
You do not pronounce the letter ‘t’ in ‘must’ when the modals are in the negative and in a contracted form. Thus, you read ‘mustn’t’ as ‘MA-ZENT’
Modal Verb
Uses & Examples
Can
To show ability (able to do something).
To ask for permission.
I can speak five languages.
Can I join you for lunch?
Could
To show ability in the past.
To request or ask for permission.
To give suggestions or future possibilities.
Zac could sing when he was nine years old.
Could we have some coffee?
We could go to the new café.
May
To ask for and give permission.
To express the possibility of something happening in the future.
May I use your laptop?
I may attend the meeting tomorrow.
Might
However, ‘might’ is less dure than ‘may’
The sky is quite cloudy. It might rain later.
The clouds are dark. It may rain later.
Must/Have to
To show necessity (there is no choice). It is compulsory.
The phrase ‘have to’ is used in the same way as ‘must’.
You must read a lot in order to do well in essay writing.
To do well in essay writing you have to read a lot.
Should
To give advice.
To express an obligation or a duty to do something.
You should pay attention to the lecturer.
Children should not eat a lot of sweets.
Would
To show actions that did regularly in the past but not now.
To have a polite request.
I would always take two eggs for breakfast but I don’t do it now.
I would like to add two teaspoons of sugar if it’s no problem.
Will
To state that one will do something.
To make a request.
I will call the management later.
Will you help me carry this luggage?
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