MODAL VERBS: Structure & Use

What are Modal Verbs?

Ans: They are Auxiliary/Helping verbs that provide additional and
specific meaning to the main verb of the sentence.

List of Modals:
• Can
• Could
• May
• Might
• Must
• Shall
• Should
• Ought to (not in regular use)
• Will
• Would

How do we use modals?

A Modal is placed after the Subject and before the Main Verb
(base/1st form).

Example: Mary could play the piano. (‘could’ is the modal)

Rules for Modals:

1. They do not need other auxiliary/helping verbs.

2. There is no “s” in singular.
3. There is no “do / does” in the question.
4. There is no “don’t / doesn’t” in the negative.
5. There is no need of putting any preposition.
6. Modal verbs do not have infinitives (to) or –ing forms.
7. Modal verbs do not have all the tenses

What do they express?

They can have more than one meaning depending on
the situation.
1. Single Concept Modal: they have one meaning
2. Double Concept Modal: they have two or more
meanings
3. Modals in past: They are used to express a
situation in the past

CONCEPT EXAMPLES
MODALS
Will Future Tense Next week I will be in London.

Will they join us to play football?

Might Small Probability/ This team might win the game, but I doubt it.
Possibility
I might move to Canada some day.
 Past form of may (reported The doctor said, he might be late.
speech)

Should Recommendation/ Advice You should go to the doctor.

I think you should buy the blue one.

Everyone should reach school by 10.30am.

May Permission from Seniors May I come in?

May we sit here?

“You may buy something, if you wish,” said

her grandfather..

Good Probability/ Possibility We may visit Mexico next summer.

This may be a better solution for you.

Must Responsibility/ Legal You must stop when the traffic lights turn
Obligation red.

Everyone must pay taxes on time.

I must work hard on my English.

Assumption/ Logical He hasn’t come to office. He must be sick.

Conclusion
He must be very tired. He's been working all
day long.

It must be very hard to crack the UPSC Mains

Exam.

Opinion I must say, this is a very good idea.

I must say, this food is delicious!

I must admit, it was a frightening experience!

Must Not Strict Prohibition You must not smoke in the hospital.
 You must not tell this to anyone. It is a
secret.

One must not go against the law.

Can Present Ability We can do it!

Mohit can speak three languages.

She can drive a car.

I can swim!

Permission Can I use your phone?

Can I go out for a while?

Can I borrow the car?

Cannot/ Present Inability I can’t ride this bicycle.

Can’t
He can’t walk fast.

Humans cannot survive without food and

water.

Could Past Ability When I was younger, I could run faster!

He could play the piano when he was in

school.

I could already read when I was two.

Polite permission Excuse me, could I just say something?

Could I see your passport please, sir?

Could I leave early today?

Suggestion We could go to dinner after the movie.

We could go to a different restaurant next

time.

Possibility It could rain tomorrow.

 (May and Might can also be You could face an accident if you drive so
used in this case) fast.

Danny could be the next team leader.

Shall Polite Offer Shall I help you with the luggage?

Shall I open the door for you?

Contractual obligation The company shall pay on January 1st.

The company shall take care of all the

damages.

The company shall repair/replace the product

within 7 working days.

Promise/ Future Action I shall never forget where I came from.

(Old English)
I shall take care of everything in your
(‘will’ can be used) absence.

Would Unreal Situation In Present/ I would buy the car but I can’t afford it.
Conditional
If I were president, I would cut the cost of
education.

If I were a SuperHero, I would teleport to any

country.

If I were in your place I'd refuse.

I would go home if I had a holiday.

would I said I would help you.

past of "will" for Reported He told me he would be here before 8:00.
Speech
 I would like to have some coffee.
Desire
I would like to buy a car.

Polite requests and Would you open the door, please?

questions (more polite than: Open the door,
please.)

Would you go with me? (more polite

than: Will you go with me?)

Would you know the answer? (more

polite than: Do you know the
answer?)

What would the capital of Nigeria be?

(more polite than: What is the capital
of Nigeria?)

Modals in the Past

They are modals referred to actions that happened in the past.

Format: MODAL + HAVE + verb in past participle(3rd form)

Modals-like verbs:
Worksheet
Use your imagination. Think about these situations and
create a sentence using modals.
1. We are going to Paris for a weekend. (Make suggestions about
things to do)
2. We start school in September. (Talk about necessity)
3. Margaret is a very talented sportswoman. (Talk about ability)
4. You have just won the lottery! (Talk about possibility)
5. Peter has got a headache and a congested nose. (Give him
some advice)
6. You want to borrow your uncle’s Mercedes Benz. (Ask for
permission politely)

Thank You!