Modal verbs such as can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, and ought are special verbs that behave differently than regular verbs. Modal verbs do not take an -s in the third person singular, questions and negatives are formed without using do, and they are followed by the bare infinitive form of other verbs except for ought which is followed by to. Modal verbs also do not have infinitive or participle forms.

1. MODAL VERBS © Anna Morales i Puigcerver

2. The verbs can, could, may, might, will , would, shall (mainly British English), should, must and ought are called ‘modal auxiliary verbs’. Modal verbs have no –s in the 3rd singular person. Questions, negatives, tags and short answers are made without do. After modal auxiliary verbs, we use the infinitive without to of other verbs. Ought is an exception. Modal verbs do not have infinitives or participles (* to must,musting, musted). Introduction

3. She can ride a bike. ( Not She can rides ...). Examples He must work very hard. ( Not He must works ...).

4. Can you ski? ( Not Do you can ski?) He shouldn’t do that, should he ? (Not He doesn’t should ) Examples

5. She can play tennis. ( Not She can to play ...). BUT ... You really ought to give. up smoking. Examples