Modal verbs

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that help to describe such things as possibility and necessity.

The most common modal verbs are:

• may
• might
• can
• could
• will
• would
• shall
• should
• must

Here are some ways in which modal verbs are used:

• To talk about probability – when something is not certain but very likely:
  • He should have arrived by now.
  • You must be exhausted.

• To talk about possibility – when something is not certain but possible:
  • I might go to London tomorrow
  • The sun might shine later.

• To talk about permission – about someone being allowed to do something:
  • You may use my pencil if I want to.
  • May I talk to you later?

• To talk about ability:
  • I can drive a bus.
  • She could read before she started school.
  • He can’t run any faster.

• To express necessity or obligation:
  • You must be home by ten o’clock
  • We should listen more carefully

• To talk about suggestions:
  • The dentist said that I should clean my teeth more often
  • We should go for a walk later.

• To express instructions and requests:
  • You must not be late again.
• • Would you talk more quietly, please?
  • Could you help me?

• To talk about intentions and habits:
  • I will be there when I’ve finished the housework.
  • I would always see him when I was on my way to the office.

There are some verbs that sometimes act as modal verbs. They are known as “semi-modals” and include:

• Have to
  • I have to go home soon.
• Used to
  • I used to go to the cinema every week.
• Dare (to):
  • He didn’t dare to go into the woods at night.
  • How dare you talk to me like that?

They are semi-modal because they can also be used as main verbs:

• Have
  • I have a new coat.
• Used
  • I used my new pen.
• Dare
  • He doesn’t dare disagree with his father.
  • I dare you to shout out in class.

See here for more about auxiliary verbs.

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^{Posted by Graham}