MODAL VERBS

A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate modality- that is, likelihood, ability, permission and
obligation. (An auxiliary verb is a verb used to add functional or grammatical meaning to the clause in which it appears for
example, to express tense, aspect, modality, voice, emphasis, etc.)
We are going to discuss today about can/could, may/might, must!
Rules for modal verbs:
1. Unlike most verbs, no -s is needed to form the third person singular.
Ex: He might (is correct)..... He work (is incorrect, the correct form is He works).
2. Adding not forms the negative structure, ex.: He cant/ cannot be a member of the royal family. He
might not be a descendent of King Louis.
3. Additionally they always require another verb because they cannot act as the main verb in a sentence.
4. Modals are often used to talk about abilities and possibilities or lack of them.
CAN = to be able to (the present form)
Is used to express the
1. Capacity and the ability: I can speak five languages.
2. Possibility and impossibility: They can be in the park. They cant/cannot be in the park.
3. An invitation or a request: Can you come to my birthday party. Can you shut the window please?
4. Permission (it becomes synonym with may, but for politeness please use may): You can/may use my
umbrella.
COULD represents the past simple of CAN: Im glad you could come. I couldnt /could not find her phone number.
Is used to express the
1. Ability (in the past): I could speak French last year.
2. An invitation or a request: Could you come to my birthday party? Could you lend me your umbrella?
3. The permission/ possibility (in the past): They could go on a trip. (Ei puteau merge )

MAY= to be permitted/ allowed to (the present form)
Is used to express
1. The permission: May I come in? Yes you may!
2. The possibility: She may be learning her lesson. He may not be able to pay his rent.
3. The interdiction: You may not use my umbrella!
4. The probability or curiosity: I may have left my umbrella on the train. What may he be?
5. A wish: May you live long!

MIGHT- represents the past simple of MAY: She said that she might go and stay with her mother.
Is used to express
1. The possibility (in the present): He might be there.
2. The possibility (in the past): You might have succeeded if you have tried. (Tu ai fi putut reusi daca ai fi
incercat)
3. The interdiction (in the past): She said that we might not go on that trip= She said that we were not
allowed to go on that trip.
4. A polite way to ask for permission: Might I ask you something? Might I use your phone?


MUST= to have to (the present form and it doesnt have a past form)
Is used to express
1. The obligation/ necessity of doing an action: You must learn. You must not interrupt me. (express the
INTERDICTION)
2. Probability: He must know me. You must have paid a lot of money for this car.
Modal Verbs
Can Could May Might Must
Used to express Present Past
Capacity+ ability CAN COULD
Possibility CAN, MIGHT, MUST, MAY COULD, MIGHT
Impossibility CAN
Invitation CAN, COULD
Request CAN, COULD
Permission CAN, MAY, MIGHT COULD
Interdiction MAY, MUST (not) MIGHT
Probability MAY, MUST
Curiosity MAY
A wish MAY
Obligation MUST
Necessity MUST