Modal verbs are used to express probability, ability, obligation, advice, permission, habits, and rules. They include words like must, might, could, may, can, will, would, shall, and should. Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that are used along with a main verb but do not take inflections like -s for third person singular. They form questions through subject-auxiliary inversion rather than using do/does.

1. MODAL
VERBS

2. Uses or
functions

3. PROBABILITY
O We use these modal verbs when we
want to make a guess about
something:
O Must We choose the
O Might
verb depending
O Could
on how sure we
O May
are
O Can

4. I am waiting for Julie with
another friend, David.
I ask: “Where is Julie?”
David guesses:
She must be on the bus
She might come soon
She could be lost
She may be in the wrong
classroom
She can’t still be at home

6. ABILITY
O We use CAN and COULD to talk
about a skill or an ability
O General ability: This is
something that once you have
learned you can do anytime you
want
O Specific ability: This is
something you can or can’t do in
a particular situation

8. OBLIGATION & ADVICE
O Use MUST, SHOULD, or OUGHT
TO to say when something is
necessary (or unnecessary) or to
give advice.
O Students must do their
homework
O We ought to wear a uniform at
work
O You should stop smoking

10. PERMISSION
O We can use verbs such as CAN and MAY
to ask for and give permission
O May I leave early today?
O Can we swim in the pool?
O We also use modal verbs to say something
is not allowed.
O You may not use the computer tonight
O You cannot leave your clothes on the
floor

13. HABITS
O We use WILL or WOULD to talk
about things we usually do or things
we did in the past
O She would always play the piano
after everyone else was in bed
O If I have fun at school, I will
always go to class

15. RULES
O Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs
because they are NOT
complete. The can only be
used WITH other verbs
O You can a computer
O You CAN USE a computer

16. They are different from
other verbs
O They don’t use an “s” for the
third person singular
O He sings
O He cans sing
O He can sing

17. There is no “do/does” or
“don’t/doesn’t”
O Do you would like to come
with me?
O Would you like to come with
me?
O They don’t can be serious
O They can’t be serious

18. Modal verbs do not have
infinitives; they are followed
directly by the infinitive of
another verb
DON’T USE “TO” WITH THEM!!!
O She can to speak French.
O She can speak French

19. They make questions by
inversion
O She can go with me to see a
movie?
O Can she go with me to see a
movie?

20. According to modal
verbs’ functions, look
at the images and
create your own
sentences!