What are MODAL VERBS?

They are special verbs which behave very

differently from normal verbs. They are
used with another verb to express ability,
permission, prohibition, certainty,
possibility, requests, suggestions, and
Which are the MODAL VERBS? obligation.

There are a few Why are MODAL VERBS special

more verbs which and how do they behave
share differently?
The MODAL
some of the
VERBS are: features of MODAL 1. MODAL VERBS have no “s” added to the 3rd
person singular form:
VERBS.
CAN COULD She must be ill. / He will come tomorrow.
These are called
MAY MIGHT SEMI-MODAL 2. MODAL VERBS are followed by the short
WILL WOULD VERBS. They are: infinitive (the infinitive without “to”) of a verb:
HAVE TO We might be coming. / I can speak French.
NEED
3. Interrogative forms are formed without
do/does in the present, or did in the past:
Could you help me? / Should I have told her?

4. Negative sentences are formed with not or the

short from n’t and do not use do/does or did:
He may not come. / You wouldn’t do this!

2. MAY
1. CAN # is used to express PERMISSION in the present or in the
future:
# is used in the present to say that somebody has
the ABILITY or POSSIBILITY to do something:
e.g.: You may watch TV now that you finished your
homework.
e.g.: I can speak four languages.
You may watch TV after you finish your homework.
We can go for a walk.
# can also be used to talk about POSSIBILITY in the
# is also used in the present to ask for, give or
present, past or future:
refuse PERMISSION, or to make a REQUEST:
e.g.: They may be busy.
e.g.: Can I go outside?
They may have been busy.
You can go to the cinema tomorrow.
They may be busy next Saturday.
You can’t bring your pet to school.
Can I have a glass of water?

3. COULD
4 Will
# is used to talk about general ABILITY in the past:
# is used to describe actions that could happen in the
e.g.: Mary could write when she was 3. future
e.g.: He will be sick.
# is also used to talk about a SUGGESTION in the He will have been sick.
past or a POSSIBILITY in the future. She Will be married

e.g.: We could have spent our holidays together.

We could go on a cruise next summer.

# is also used to make a polite REQUEST.

e.g.: Could I have a glass of water, please?