Modal Verbs

Apart from Auxiliary Verbs - Be, Do and Have, the rest are known as Modal Verbs. They exist to help the main verb.

Modal Verbs are :

1) Can

Example :

Can I help you?
We can draw a line here.
We can't control it.

2) Could

Example :

Could I take a look at that?
We could try.
I think we could consider that.

3) Have to

Example :

I have to be there by 2.00 p.m.
That have to be her.


4) Must

Example :

I must complete it before noon.
We must leave now.

5) Might

Example :

We better call mom, she might be worried about us.
They might have suspected something.

6) Should

Example :

They should think of the possibility.
Should I cancel it?
It should be something to look forward to.

7) Will

Example :

Will you help me if I ask you to?
She said she will find it for us.

8) Would

Would it be nice to think it that way?
I would consider that as an option too.

9) Shall
More to UK that US English.

Shall I bring him to you?
I shall see it done.

Important notes:

1 - Modal verbs use 'not' to form negative modal verbs.

2 - They don't take 's' in third person.

3 - Some modal verbs can be used in Past Tenses or Future Tenses.