Modal verbs

Anmerkungen:

• A type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or obligation.

1. Express
   1. Ability
   2. Necessity
   3. Permission
2. Present ability: CAN/CAN´T
   1. He can swim
      1. He can´t swim
   2. Pronoun + Can + base form of the verb
      1. Pronoun + Can´t + base form of the verb
3. Polite request: COULD
   1. Could you pass me the sugar?
      1. Modal verb + pronoun + base form of the verb
   2. Polite request: MAY
      1. May I use the bathroom?
      2. Modal verb + pronoun + base form of the verb
4. Past ability: COULD/COULDN'T
   1. My sister could swim when I was six.
      1. I couldn't play the piano when she was five.
   2. Pronoun + could + base form of the verb + complement
      1. Pronoun + couldn't + base form of the verb + complement