Modal Verbs – Meaning, Usage & Examples

What are Modal Verbs?

Modal Verbs are auxiliary (helping) verbs that express necessity, possibility, ability, permission, or other conditions. They do not change form based on the subject and are always followed by the base form of the main verb.

Common Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs: Functions and Examples

Modal Verb	Function	Example Sentence
Can	Ability, permission, possibility	She can speak three languages fluently.
Could	Past ability, polite requests, possibility	He could run faster when he was younger.
May	Permission, possibility, formal requests	You may leave the room now.
Might	Possibility, less certain than “may”	It might rain later in the evening.
Shall	Formal suggestions, offers, future actions (formal contexts)	Shall we go for a walk after dinner?
Should	Advice, obligation, probability	You should visit the doctor if you feel unwell.
Will	Future actions, promises, willingness	I will call you tomorrow without fail.
Would	Polite requests, hypothetical situations, habitual past actions	Would you like a cup of tea?
Must	Strong obligation, necessity, deduction	You must wear a helmet while riding a bike.
Ought to	Moral obligation, advice	You ought to apologize for your mistake.
Shall not	Prohibition (formal)	You shall not pass without permission.
Must not	Prohibition	You must not smoke in this area.
Need to	Necessity	You need to submit the report by tomorrow.
Need not	Lack of necessity	You need not worry about the arrangements.
Can’t	Prohibition, impossibility	You can’t park here—it’s a no-parking zone.
Couldn’t	Past impossibility	She couldn’t have done it; she wasn’t even there.
Might not	Uncertain possibility	He might not join the party tonight.
Shall (rare use)	Legal or formal obligations	The contract shall be signed by both parties.
Would have	Past hypothetical situations	I would have helped you if I had known earlier.

Uses of Modal Verbs

• Expressing Ability
  • Can: I can swim.
  • Could: She could play the piano when she was younger.
• Expressing Permission
  • Can: You can borrow my book.
  • May: May I use your phone?
• Expressing Possibility
  • Might: It might rain today.
  • Could: This could be the solution.
• Expressing Necessity/Obligation
  • Must: You must wear a helmet while riding.
  • Should: You should apologize to her.
• Expressing Prohibition
  • Must not: You must not touch that switch.
• Expressing Advice/Suggestion
  • Should: You should eat more vegetables.
  • Ought to: You ought to respect your elders.
• Expressing Future Intentions
  • Will: I will call you tomorrow.
  • Shall: We shall overcome the challenges.
• Expressing Hypothetical Situations
  • Would: I would travel the world if I had enough money.

Characteristics of Modal Verbs

• They don’t take -s in the third person singular.
  • Correct: He can play the guitar.
  • Incorrect: He cans play the guitar.
• They are followed by the base form of the verb (without “to”).
  • Correct: She might join us.
  • Incorrect: She might to join us.
• They don’t have past or future forms, except for “could” and “would,” which are past forms of “can” and “will” in some contexts.

Modal Verbs Examples in Sentences

• I can speak three languages.
• You should take an umbrella; it looks like rain.
• He must finish the project by tonight.
• We might go to the beach this weekend.
• You ought to follow the rules.

Ability

• I can speak French fluently.
• She can run 5 kilometers without stopping.
• He could solve the puzzle when he was younger.
• They cannot lift such heavy weights.
• Could you help me carry this bag?

Permission

• You may enter the room now.
• May I borrow your pen?
• She can leave early today.
• We cannot park here.
• You could take my seat if you like.

Possibility

• It might rain later today.
• The news could be true.
• This plan may work if we try harder.
• She can be very stubborn sometimes.
• It might not be the best time to call.

Necessity/Obligation

• You must wear a seatbelt while driving.
• Everyone must follow the rules.
• We have to complete this task before the deadline.
• You should finish your homework.
• He ought to respect his elders.

Prohibition

• You must not talk during the exam.
• People cannot enter the museum after 6 PM.
• She may not use her phone in class.
• You shouldn’t lie to your parents.
• Mustn’t we keep the noise down?

Advice/Suggestion

• You should see a doctor.
• We ought to help the elderly.
• You had better study hard for the test.
• He shouldn’t eat so much junk food.
• You might want to consider a new approach.

Deduction/Inference

• He must be the new manager; he looks familiar.
• This might be the right address, but I’m not sure.
• They can’t be home because their car isn’t in the driveway.
• She could be lying about her story.
• You must have been tired after the long journey.

Hypothetical Situations

• If I had the time, I would help you.
• She could win the competition if she tries harder.
• I might travel the world someday.
• He should have apologized earlier.
• We could have done better if we’d started earlier.

Promises and Determination

• I will always support you.
• We shall never give up.
• They won’t let us down.
• She will return the book tomorrow.
• I shall do my best to complete the task.

Offers and Invitations

• Shall I make you a cup of tea?
• Will you join us for dinner?
• I can lend you my book if you need it.
• You might want to try this dish; it’s delicious.
• Would you like some help with your homework?

Politeness

• Could you please open the window?
• May I speak with the manager?
• Would you mind if I borrowed your charger?
• Might I suggest a different approach?
• Can you explain this to me?

Certainty

• She will pass the exam.
• They must have arrived by now.
• He cannot be serious about quitting his job.
• This may take longer than expected.
• You might not find the answers here.

Probability

• He may be at the library.
• It might snow tonight.
• This could take a few hours to resolve.
• We can finish this project on time.
• She must know the truth.

Necessity in the Past

• You should have called me earlier.
• He must have forgotten the meeting.
• They ought to have informed us about the delay.
• You need not have worried about the result.
• She could have completed the assignment.

Ability in the Past

• I could run faster when I was younger.
• He might have solved the problem.
• She can dance well even now.
• We could play all day during holidays.
• He could not lift the heavy box.

Future Intentions

• I will visit you next week.
• They shall announce the results tomorrow.
• She can join us for the picnic.
• We might see a movie later.
• He may call you in the evening.

Asking for Help

• Can you help me find my keys?
• Could you lend me some money?
• Would you mind assisting me with this task?
• Will you pass me the salt, please?
• Might you help me with the project?

Expressing Doubt

• This can’t be true.
• He might not come to the party.
• They couldn’t have done this alone.
• She may not agree to the proposal.
• This might not work as planned.

Expressing Lack of Necessity

• You need not worry about the exam.
• We don’t have to finish it today.
• They needn’t bring anything to the party.
• He doesn’t have to attend the meeting.
• She didn’t need to call them again.

Expressing Willingness

• I will always stand by your side.
• We shall see it through together.
• He would help you if he had the time.
• She might consider joining us.
• I can stay longer if needed.

Happy writing (and speaking)!

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