key_smallWhat are Modal Verbs?


Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very irregularly in English. They are very common and thus you should pay attention to them.  


Here are some important differences:
He can speak English fluently.
Mike should be here by now. I wonder what's going on. He's always on time.
She should not (shouldn't) leave without asking her boss.
They may not go on holiday this year.
He will can come with us.    It is Not Correct.
She musted study very hard. It is Not Correct.
You should you an equivalent instead:
He will be able to come with us.
You had to study very hard.
 4. Modal verbs have no infinitives or participles. Instead we use other expressions like " be able to, be allowed to, have to".
He is not allowed to tell you this.
I will not (won't) be able to come to work tomorrow.
Here are the most common Modal Verbs and their uses:  

CAN 1. ABILITY/POSSIBILITY They can speak English fluently.
CAN 2. INABILITY/IMPOSSIBILITY I can't repair my car alone.
CAN 3. ASKING FOR PERMISSION Can we smoke in this room?
CAN 4. REQUEST Can you help me?
COULD 1. ASKING FOR PERMISSION Could I borrow your dictionary?
COULD 2. REQUEST Could you say it again more slowly please?
COULD 3. SUGGESTION Mike could try to find a better job.
COULD 4. FUTURE POSSIBILITY I think they could have another crisis.
COULD 5. ABILITY IN THE PAST She gave up her job so she could take a gap year.
MAY 1. ASKING FOR PERMISSION May I have another cup of tea?
MAY 2. FUTURE POSSIBILITY India may become a major economic power.
MIGHT 1. PRESENT POSSIBILITY We'd better phone them later, they might be watching a film.
MIGHT 2. FUTURE POSSIBILITY The shop might give us a 10% discount.
MUST 1. PROHIBITION They mustn't enter the room.
MUST 2. NECESSITY / OBLIGATION We must go now, it's getting late.
SHOULD 1. SAYING WHAT'S RIGHT OR WRONG I should sort out this problem at once.
SHOULD 2. RECOMMENDING ACTION I think we should check everything again.
SHOULD 3. UNCERTAIN PREDICTION Prices should go up again next year.
WILL 1. INSTANT DECISIONS I can't see any buses so I'll walk home.
WILL 2. OFFER I'll make you a nice cup of tea.
WILL 3. PROMISE I'll phone you first thing in the morning.
WILL 4. CERTAIN PREDICTION The price of oil will increase again.
WOULD 1. ASKING FOR PERMISSION Would you mind If I came a bit later?
WOULD 2. REQUEST Would you pass me the salt please?
WOULD 3. MAKING ARRANGEMENTS Would 3.30. suit you?
WOULD 4. INVITATION Would you like to play golf next Saturday?
WOULD 5. PREFERENCES Would you prefer tea or coffee?
SHALL 1. OFFER Shall I help you with your luggage?
SHALL 2. SUGGESTION Shall we say 3 o'clock then?
SHALL 3. ASKING WHAT TO DO Shall I answer the phone for you?
OUGHT TO 1. SAYING WHAT'S RIGHT OR WRONG We ought to buy a new car.



If you want to know more about MODAL VERBS in general, just click HERE.