MODALS
📘 What Are Modals?
Modals are helping (auxiliary) verbs used with the main verb to show ability,
possibility, permission, request, obligation, advice, necessity, certainty, etc.
They do not change with the subject and are always followed by the base form of the
main verb.
🔹 Common Modal Verbs:
Can, Could
May, Might
Shall, Should
Will, Would
Must
Ought to
Need
Used to
Have to
🔹 Important Rules:
1. Modals are always followed by the base form of the verb (V1).
✅ She can dance well.
2. Modals do not take -s or -ed forms.
, ✅ He should go now.
❌ He should goes now.
3. Modals do not change with the subject.
✅ I can swim.
✅ He can swim.
Can / Could
Use: Ability, Permission, Possibility
I can solve this math problem. (present ability)
Can I go to the library? (asking permission)
Could you help me with my homework? (polite request)
He could play the guitar when he was 10. (past ability)
May / Might
Use: Permission, Possibility
May I come in, sir? (formal permission)
We may go for a school trip next month. (possibility)
She might be late for class. (less certain possibility)
Shall / Should
Use: Suggestions, Future action, Duty
Shall we revise together? (suggestion)
📘 What Are Modals?
Modals are helping (auxiliary) verbs used with the main verb to show ability,
possibility, permission, request, obligation, advice, necessity, certainty, etc.
They do not change with the subject and are always followed by the base form of the
main verb.
🔹 Common Modal Verbs:
Can, Could
May, Might
Shall, Should
Will, Would
Must
Ought to
Need
Used to
Have to
🔹 Important Rules:
1. Modals are always followed by the base form of the verb (V1).
✅ She can dance well.
2. Modals do not take -s or -ed forms.
, ✅ He should go now.
❌ He should goes now.
3. Modals do not change with the subject.
✅ I can swim.
✅ He can swim.
Can / Could
Use: Ability, Permission, Possibility
I can solve this math problem. (present ability)
Can I go to the library? (asking permission)
Could you help me with my homework? (polite request)
He could play the guitar when he was 10. (past ability)
May / Might
Use: Permission, Possibility
May I come in, sir? (formal permission)
We may go for a school trip next month. (possibility)
She might be late for class. (less certain possibility)
Shall / Should
Use: Suggestions, Future action, Duty
Shall we revise together? (suggestion)
