Introduction to modal verbs

Some facts about modal auxiliary verbs:

1.     They do not have an infinitive form. 


can        Image     

to can    Image  

 

2.     We use them before other verbs to give more information. We use the bare infinitive of the main verb.   We do not use 'to' after a modal.

I can swim.     Image

I can to swim. Image 

 

 

3.     We use 'not' for the negative form

 

I can't swim.        Image

I don't can swim. Image

 

and we do not use 'do' in questions.

 

Can you swim?      Image

Do you can swim?  Image 

 

 

4.     Modals have only one form.

 

I can

You can

He/she/it can

We can

They can 

 

Can

Could

May

Might

Must

Shall

Should

Will

Would 

 

 


Modal auxiliary verbs have different meanings. This table shows some common uses.


See the rules on each modal for more detailed information.                         


 

can

can't

could

may

might

must

mustn't

have to

will

would

shall

should

ought to

ability

Image

Image 

 Image

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

advice

 

 

 

 

 

Image

Image

Image

 

 

 

Image

Image

deduction

 

Image

 

 

 

Image

 

Image

Image

 

 

Image

Image

expectation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image

Image

habit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image

 Image

 

 

 

hypothetical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image

 

 

 

necessity

 

 

 

 

 

Image

 

Image

 

 

 

 

 

obligation

 

 

 

 

 

Image

 

Image

 

 

 

 

 

offers

Image

 

 

Image

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image

 

 

permission

Image

 Image

 

Image

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

possibility

Image

Image 

Image

Image

Image

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

prediction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image

 

 

 

 

prohibition

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image

 

 

 

 

 

 

requests

Image

 

Image

Image

 

 

 

 

Image

Image

 

 

 

suggestions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image

 

 

wishing

 

 

Image

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image