What are Modal Verbs?
Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs. Here are some important differences:1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person.
Examples:
- He can speak Chinese.
- She should be here by 9:00.
Examples:
- He should not be late.
- They might not come to the party.
Examples:
- He will can go with us. Not Correct
- She musted study very hard. Not Correct
Common Modal Verbs
Can
Could May Might Must |
Ought to
Shall Should Will Would |
Modal Forms
Modal verbs can be used in a variety of different forms. Study the examples below.
Modal Simple I could swim at the beach. Modal Continuous I could be swimming at the beach right now. Modal Perfect I could have swum at the beach yesterday. Modal Perfect Continuous I could have been swimming at the beach instead of working in the office. |
Passive Modal Simple The room should be cleaned once a day. Passive Modal Continuous The room should be being cleaned now. Passive Modal Perfect The room should have been cleaned yesterday. Passive Modal Perfect Continuous The room should have been being cleaned but nobody was there. (Rare form) |
Shall
"Shall" is used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in sentences with "I" or "we," and is often found in suggestions, such as "Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of "shall" to describe future events often expresses inevitability or predestination. "Shall" is much more commonly heard in British English than in American English; Americans prefer to use other forms, although they do sometimes use "shall" in suggestions or formalized language.Examples:
- Shall I help you? suggestion
- I shall never forget where I came from. promise
- He shall become our next king. predestination
- I'm afraid Mr. Smith shall become our new director. inevitability
More Examples of "Shall"
Modal Use
|
Positive Forms
|
Negative Forms
|
You can
also use: |
shall
(British form)future action |
I shall be replaced by someone from the New York office.
I shall be there by 8:00. |
I shall not be replaced after all.
I shall not be there. I have a previous obligation. |
will
|
shall
suggestions |
Shall we begin dinner?
Shall we move into the living room? |
|
should
|
shall
(British form) volunteering, promising |
I shall take care of everything for you.
I shall make the travel arrangements. There's no need to worry. |
I shall never forget you.
I shall never give up the fight for freedom. |
will
|
shall
(British form) inevitability |
Man shall explore the distant regions of the universe.
We shall overcome oppression. |
Man shall never give up the exploration of the universe.
He shall not be held back. |
|
Will
"Will" is used with promises or voluntary actions that take place in the future. "Will" can also be used to make predictions about the future. For more information on using "will" and associated exercises, visit the Simple Future section of our Verb Tense Tutorial.Examples:
- I promise that I will write you every single day. promise
- I will make dinner tonight. voluntary action
- He thinks it will rain tomorrow. prediction
More Examples of "Will"
Modal Use
|
Positive Forms
|
Negative Forms
|
You can also use:
|
will
future action, prediction |
The marketing director will be replaced by someone from
the New York
office.
Fred will be there by 8:00. |
The marketing director will not be replaced after all.
Fred will not be there. He has a previous obligation. |
shall
|
will
volunteering, promising |
I will take care of everything for you.
I will make the travel arrangements. There's no need to worry. |
I will never forget you.
I will never give up the fight for freedom. |
shall
|
Can
"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility.Examples:
- I can ride a horse. ability
- We can stay with my brother when we are in Paris. opportunity
- She cannot stay out after 10 PM. permission
- Can you hand me the stapler? request
- Any child can grow up to be president. possibility
Using "Can" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "can" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
|
Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
You can also use:
|
can
general ability |
1. I can speak Chinese.
2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I will be able to speak Chinese by the time I finish my course. |
1. I can't speak Swahili.
2. SHIFT TO "COULD" I couldn't speak Swahili. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I won't be able to speak Swahili. |
be able to
|
can
ability during a specific event |
1. With a burst of adrenaline, people can pick up cars.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he was able to lift the car off the child's leg. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he will be able to lift the car. |
1. Even with a burst of adrenaline, people can't pick up
something that heavy.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even the weight lifter, couldn't lift the car off the child's leg. 3. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" Even three men working together won't be able to lift the car. |
be able to
|
can
opportunity |
1. I have some free time. I can help her now.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I had some free time yesterday. I was able to help her at that time. 3. I'll have some free time tomorrow. I can help her then. |
1. I don't have any time. I can't help her now.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ABLE TO" I didn't have time yesterday. I wasn't able to help her at that time. 3. I won't have any time later. I can't help her then. |
be able to
|
can
permission |
1. I can drive Susan's car when she is out of town.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I was allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week. 3. I can drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week. |
1. I can't drive Susan's car when she is out of town.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO " I wasn't allowed to drive Susan's car while she was out of town last week. 3. I can't drive Susan's car while she is out of town next week. |
may
|
can
request |
Can I have a glass of water?
Can you give me a lift to school? Requests usually refer to the near future. |
Can't I have a glass of water?
Can't you give me a lift to school? Requests usually refer to the near future. |
could, may
|
can
possibility, impossibility |
Anyone can become rich and famous if they know the right
people.
Learning a language can be a real challenge. This use is usually a generalization or a supposition. |
It can't cost more than a dollar or two.
You can't be 45! I thought you were about 18 years old.This use is usually a generalization or a supposition. |
|
May
"May" is most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to give or request permission, although this usage is becoming less common.Examples:
- Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work. possibility
- Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your dinner. give permission
- May I use your bathroom? request permission
Using "May" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "may" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
|
Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
You can
also use: |
may
possibility |
1. Jack may be upset. I can't really tell if he is annoyed
or tired.
2. Jack may have been upset. I couldn't really tell if he was annoyed or
tired. 3. Jack may get upset if you don't tell him the truth. |
1. Jack may not be upset. Perhaps he is tired.
2. Jack may not have been upset. Perhaps he was tired. 3. Jack may not get upset, even if you tell him the truth |
might
|
may
give permission |
1. You may leave the table now that you're finished with
your dinner.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were allowed to leave the table after you finished your dinner. 3. You may leave the table when you finish your dinner. |
1. You may not leave the table. You're not finished with
your dinner yet.
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" You were not allowed to leave the table because you hadn't finished your dinner. 3. You may not leave the table until you are finished with your dinner. |
can
|
may
request permission |
May I borrow your eraser?
May I make a phone call?Requests usually refer to the near future. |
NO NEGATIVE FORMS
|
can,
might |
Could
"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."Examples:
- Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility
- Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability
- You could see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestion
- Could I use your computer to email my boss? request
- We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. conditional
Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
|
Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
You can also use:
|
could
possibility |
1. John could be the one who stole the money.
2. John could have been the one who stole the money. 3. John could go to jail for stealing the money. |
1. Mary couldn't be the one who stole the money.
2. Mary couldn't have been the one who stole the money. 3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail for the crime. |
might,
may |
could
conditional of can |
1. If I had more time, I could travel around the world.
2. If I had had more time, I could have traveled around the world. 3. If I had more time this winter, I could travel around the world. |
1. Even if I had more time, I couldn't travel around the
world.
2. Even if I had had more time, I couldn't have traveled around the world.
3. Even if I had more time this winter, I couldn't travel around the world. |
|
could
suggestion |
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii. 3. You could spend your vacation in Hawaii. |
NO NEGATIVE FORMS
|
|
could
past ability |
I could run ten miles in my twenties.
I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. "Could" cannot be used in positive sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability. Yesterday, I could lift the couch by myself. Not Correct |
I couldn't run more than a mile in my twenties.
I couldn't speak Swahili. "Could" can be used in negative sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability. Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch by myself. Correct |
be able to
|
could
polite request |
Could I have something to drink?
Could I borrow your stapler? Requests usually refer to the near future. |
Couldn't he come with us?
Couldn't you help me with this for just a second? Requests usually refer to the near future. |
can,
may, might |
REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not" "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. Examples:
|
Ought To
"Ought to" is used to advise or make recommendations. "Ought to" also expresses assumption or expectation as well as strong probability, often with the idea that something is deserved. "Ought not" (without "to") is used to advise against doing something, although Americans prefer the less formal forms "should not" or "had better not."Examples:
- You ought to stop smoking. recommendation
- Jim ought to get the promotion. It is expected because he deserves it.
- This stock ought to increase in value. probability
- Mark ought not drink so much. advice against something (notice there is no "to")
Using "Ought to" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "ought to" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
|
Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
You can
also use: |
ought to
recommendation, advice |
1. Margaret ought to exercise more.
2. Margaret ought to have exercised more so she would be better prepared
for the marathon. 3. Margaret ought to come to the fitness center with us tonight. |
1. Margaret ought not exercise too much. It might cause
injury.
2. Margaret ought not have run the marathon. She wasn't in good shape. 3. Margaret ought not stay at home in front of the TV. She should go to the fitness center with us. |
should
|
ought to
assumption, expectation, probability |
1. She ought to have the package by now.
2. She ought to have received the package yesterday. 3. She ought to receive the package tonight. |
"Ought not" is used primarily to express
negative recommendations. (See above.)
|
should
|
Notice "Ought not" Remember that "ought to" loses the "to" in the negative. Instead of "ought not to," we say "ought not." "Ought not" is more commonly used in British English. Americans prefer "should not." Examples:
|
Had Better
"Had better" is most commonly used to make recommendations. It can also be used to express desperate hope as well as warn people.Examples:
- You had better take your umbrella with you today. recommendation
- That bus had better get here soon! desperate hope
- You had better watch the way you talk to me in the future! warning
Using "Had Better" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "had better" behaves in different contexts.
Use
|
Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
You can also use:
|
had better
recommendation |
1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO"
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE" People should unplug toasters before they clean them. You should have unplugged the toaster before you tried to clean it. 3. You had better unplug the toaster before you try to clean it. |
1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO"
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD HAVE" OR "OUGHT TO HAVE" People shouldn't clean toasters without unplugging them first. You shouldn't have cleaned the toaster without unplugging it first. 3. You had better not clean the toaster until you unplug it. |
should,
ought to |
had better
desperate hope, warning |
The movie had better end soon.
They had better be here before we start dinner. Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future. |
They had better not be late.
They had better not forget Tom's birthday gift. Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer to the near future. |
|
"Had better" is often simply
pronounced as "better" in spoken English.
|
EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS
- Modal Exercise 5 have got to, had better, may and shall
- Modal Exercise 7 modal verb forms
- Modal Verb Final Test complete review
Might
"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.Examples:
- Your purse might be in the living room. possibility
- If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. conditional
- You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. suggestion
- Might I borrow your pen? request
Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future
Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.
Modal Use
|
Positive Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
Negative Forms
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future |
You can also use:
|
might
possibility |
1. She might be on the bus. I think her car is having
problems.
2. She might have taken the bus. I'm not sure how she got to work. 3. She might take the bus to get home. I don't think Bill will be able to give her a ride. |
1. She might not be on the bus. She might be walking home.
2. She might not have taken the bus. She might have walked home. 3. She might not take the bus. She might get a ride from Bill. |
could,
may |
might
conditional of may |
1. If I entered the contest, I might actually win.
2. If I had entered the contest, I might actually have won. 3. If I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it. |
1. Even if I entered the contest, I might not win.
2. Even if I had entered the contest, I might not have won. 3. Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I might not win. |
|
might
suggestion |
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. You might have tried the cheese cake. 3. You might try the cheesecake. |
1. NO PRESENT FORM
2. PAST FORM UNCOMMON 3. You might not want to eat the cheese cake. It's very calorific. |
could
|
might
(British form) request |
Might I have something to drink?
Might I borrow the stapler? Requests usually refer to the near future. |
NEGATIVE FORMS UNCOMMON
|
could,
may, can |
REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not" "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. Examples:
|
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