Modal Verbs

Modal and Modal Phrases (Semi-Modals)

• A modal is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or
• obligation. Modal phrases (or semi-modals) are used to express the same things
• as modals, but are a combination of auxiliary verbs and the preposition to. The
• modals and semi-modals in English are:
• 1.
• Can/could/be able
• to
• 2.
• May/might
• 3.
• Shall/should
• 4.
• Must/have to
• 5.
• Will/would

Can, Could, Be Able To

• Can, could and be able to are used to express a
• variety of ideas in English:
• Ability/Lack of
• Ability
• Present and
• Future:
• can/can’t + base form of the verb
• 1.
• Tom can write poetry very well.
• 2.
• I can help you with that next week.
• 3.
• Lisa can’t speak
• French.
• am / is / are / will be + able to + base form of the
• verb
• am not/ isn’t / aren’t/ won’t be + able to + base form of the verb
• 1.
• Mike is able to solve complicated
• math equations
• 2.
• The support team will be able to help you
• in about ten minutes.
• 3.
• I won’t be able to visit you next
• summer.

Past:

• could / couldn’t + base form of the verb
• 1.
• When I was a child I could climb trees.
• was / were + able to + base form of the verb
• wasn’t / weren’t + able to + base form of the verb
• hasn’t / haven’t + been able to + base form of the verb
• 1.
• I wasn’t able to visit her in the
• hospital.
• 2.
• He hasn’t been able to get in touch
• with the client yet.
• Note: Can and could do not take an infinitive (to
• verb) and do not take the future auxiliary will.
• ·
• Incorrect: I can to help you this afternoon.
• ·
• Correct: I can help you this
• afternoon.
• ·
• Correct: I will (I’ll) be able to help you
• this afternoon.

Possibility / Impossibility

• can/can’t + base form of the verb
• 1. You can catch that train at 10:43.
• 2. He can’t see you right now. He’s in surgery.
• could + base form of the verb
• 1. I could fly via Amsterdam if I leave the day before.
• Ask Permission / Give Permission
• Can + Subject + base form of the verb (informal)
• 1. Can you lend me ten dollars?
• Can + base form of the verb (informal)
• 1. You can borrow my car.
• Could + subject + base form of the verb (polite)
• 1. Could I have your number?
• 2. Could I talk to your supervisor please?
• Make a suggestion – To make a suggestion use:
• Could + base form of the verb (informal)
• 1. You could take the tour of the castle tomorrow.

May, Might

• Formal
• Permission / Formal Prohibition
• may / may not + base form of the verb
• 1.
• You may start your exam now.
• 2.
• You may not wear sandals to work.
• Polite Request
• May + subject + base form of the verb
• 1.
• May I help you?
• Possibility
• / Negative Possibility
• may/ might + base form of the verb
• 1.
• We may go out dinner tonight. Do you
• want to join us?
• 2.
• Our company might get the order if
• the client agrees to the price.
• may not / might not + base form of the verb
• 1. Adam and Sue may not buy that house. It’s very expensive.
• 2. They might not buy a house at all.
• To Make a Suggestion (when there is no better alternative)
• may as well / might as well + base form of the verb
• 1. You may as well come inside. John will be home soon.
• 2. We might as well take Friday off. There’s no work to be done anyway.
• Polite Suggestion
• might + base form of the verb
• 1. You might like to try the salmon fillet. It’s our special today.

Shall, Should, Ought to

• To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion (When you are quite sure of a
• positive answer)
• Shall + subject + base form of the verb
• 1.
• Shall we go for a walk?
• Note: Shall is
• only used with I or we. It is used instead of will only in formal English.
• To Offer of Assistance or Polite Suggestion (When you are not sure of a
• positive answer)
• Should + subject + base form of the verb
• 1.
• Should I call a doctor?
• A Prediction or Expectation that Something Will Happen
• should/shouldn’t + base form of the verb
• 1. The proposal should be finished on time.
• 2. I shouldn’t be late. The train usually arrives on time.
• To Give Advice
• should / ought to + base form of the verb
• 1. You should check that document before you send it out.
• 2. You ought to have your car serviced before the winter.
• To Give Advice (about something you think wrong or unacceptable)
• shouldn’t + base form of the verb
• 1. James shouldn’t teach him words like those.

Must, Have to, Need to, Don’t have to, Needn’t

• Necessity or Requirement
• Present and Future:
• must / have to / need to + base form of the verb
• 1.
• You must have a passport to cross the
• border.
• 2.
• Elisabeth has to apply for her visa
• by March 10th.
• 3.
• I need to drop by his room to pick up
• a book.
• Past:
• had to / needed to + base form of the verb
• 1. I had to work late last night.
• 2. I needed to drink a few cups of coffee in order to stay awake.
• Note: have to and need to are often used in the same context, but many times, need to is used to express something that is less urgent, something in which you have a choice.

Must, Have to, Need to, Don’t have to, Needn’t

• Almost 100% Certain
• must + base form of the verb
• 1. Thomas has lived in Paris for years. His French must be very good.
• To Persuade
• must / have to + base form of the verb
• 1. You must try this wine. It’s excellent.
• 2. You have to visit us while you’re in town.
• Prohibited or Forbidden
• must not / mustn’t + base form of the verb
• 1. You must not drive over the speed limit.
• 2. You mustn’t leave medicines where children can get to them.
• Lack of Necessity
• don’t /doesn’t /didn’t + have to + base form of the verb
• 1. You don’t have to park the car. The hotel valet will do it for you.
• 2. Tim doesn’t have to go to school today. It’s a holiday.
• 3. You didn’t have to shout. Everyone could hear you.
• needn’t + base form of the verb
• 1. You needn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.

Modals: Will / Would

• will / won’t + base form of the verb
• 1.
• John will pick you up at 7:00am.
• 2.
• Beth won’t be happy with the results
• of the exam.
• Polite Request or Statement
• Will / Would + base form of the verb
• 1.
• Will you please take the trash out?
• 2.
• Would you mind if I sat here?
• 3.
• I’d (I would) like to sign up for your workshop.
• Habitual Past Action
• Would/Wouldn’t + base form of the verb
• 1. When I was a child, I would spend hours playing with my train set.
• 2. Peter wouldn’t eat broccoli when he was a kid. He loves it now.