This document defines modal verbs and provides examples of their usage. Modal verbs are used to indicate modality, or likelihood, ability, permission, and possibility. They can modify the meaning of the verb in the clause. The document lists common modal verbs like can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, ought to, and must. It discusses their structure and how they are used without additions like -s, -es, infinitives, or -ing forms. Examples are provided for how each modal verb is used, such as expressing ability, permission, possibility, necessity, suggestions, offers, promises and more.

3. I. DEFINITION
MODAL VERBS
A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb
that is used to indicate modality-that is
likelihood, ability, permission, possiblity,...

4. MODAL VERBS
LIST OF MODAL VERBS
Can
Could
May
Might
Will
Would
Shall
Should
Ought to
Must
Have to

5. Subject Modal verb Main verb Complement
I
We
They
You
He
She
It
must
can
should
may
will
go to sleep.
drink some water.
eat some food.
do some exercise.
II. STRUCTURE

6. MODAL VERBS
a. Modal verbs do not add s or es to the
third person singular.
He can swim. He cans swim.

7. MODAL VERBS
b. Modal verbs don’t need auxiliaries to form
negative and question.
Exp : She should stay.
She doesn’t should stay. → She shouldn’t stay.
→ Why should she stay?Why does she stay?
c. Modal verbs don’t have infinitives or –ing
forms
Exp: canning to might

8. MODAL VERBS
HOW TO USE
CAN
Use Example
Ability / Possibility  They can control their own work.
Impossibility  We can’t fix it.
Asking for permission  Can I bring here?
Request  Can you help me?

9. MODAL VERBS
COULD
Use Example
permission  Could I borrow your dictionary?
Request  Could you say it again more slowly?
possibility  I think we could have another tea.
Future  I wish Cndrll could meet me next week.
Ability  He gave up his old job so he could
work for us.

10. MODAL VERBS
MAY
Use Example
permission  May I have another cup of coffee?
possibility  I may finish my homework

11. MODAL VERBS
MIGHT
Use Example
possibility  We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be
eating their dinner now.

12. MODAL VERBS
OUGHT TO
Use Example
Saying what’s right or correct
 She ought to finish by next week.

13. MODAL VERBS
SHALL
Use Example
Offer  Shall I help you with your luggage?
Suggestion  Shall we say 2.30 then?
Permission  Shall I do that or will you?

14. MODAL VERBS
III. USAGE
SHOULD
Use Example
Saying what’s right or correct
 We should solve this problem.
Possibility  Fees should decrease next year.

15. MODAL VERBS
WILL
Use Example
decisions  I can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk
Offer  I'll do that for you if you like.
Promise  I’ll come back on Monday.

16. MODAL VERBS
III. USAGE
WOULD
Use Example
permission  Would you mind if I brought a
friend with me?
Request  Would you mind waiting a moment?
Invitation  Would you like to play basketball this Friday?

17. M I G H T
S H O U L D
C O U L D
S H A L L
W I L L
M U S T

18. THE END
Thanksfor yourattention

19. Ana : I’d like a cup of tea please. (can, could, must, would) you pass me some
sugar
Bima : certainly
1. I’m locked in, please help me
I (may not, should not, can not, will not) be out of this room
2. (must, shall, would, may) you open the door please ?
3. Aida : look, there is smoke coming out that house. It’s on fire
Berta : God Heaven. I (am going to, will, should) call the brigade immadiately
4. We (can, may, must)use the zebra cross to go to other side of street
5. He is going to play table tennis, he has to get a ball. So he (should, must,
can) buy one
6. You (may, would, can) play the guitar well
7. Hendra (can’t, couldn’t, may not) ride a horse when he was child
8. You look pale. You (should, might, would) go to doctor
9. She (must not, Must, may) finish the homework in one hour