5. I. DEFINITION
MODAL VERBS
Modal verbs are helping verbs that are
used along with main verbs to represent
the subject's ability, possibility, and
probability of doing an action and
emphasizing the necessity of an action.
Two of my
friends can
play guitar
(ability)
6. MODAL VERBS
LIST OF MODAL VERBS
Can
Could
May
Might
Will
Would
Shall
Should
Ought to
Must
7. 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.
Use the basic form or INFINITIVE of
the main verbs after the modal verbs.
II. STRUCTURE
8. MODAL VERBS
a. Modal verbs do not add s or es to the
third person singular.
He can swim. He cans swim.
9. MODAL VERBS
• Simple
I could work
He could work
It could work
They could work
• Perfect
I could have worked
He could have worked
It could have worked
They could have worked
• Continuous
I could be working
He could be working
It could be working
They could be working
• Perfect continuous
I could have been working
He could have been working
It could have been working
They could have been working
10. 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
11. 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?
12. 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.
15. MODAL VERBS
OUGHT TO
Use Example
Saying what’s right or correct
She ought to finish by next week.
16. 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?
17. MODAL VERBS
III. USAGE
SHOULD
Use Example
Saying what’s right or correct
We should solve this problem.
Possibility Fees should decrease next year.
18. 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.
19. 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?
20. Exercise Questions
• Choose the appropriate modal verb (can, could, may, might, must, shall,
should, will, would) to complete each sentence. Some sentences may
have more than one correct answer.
1. I have a meeting tomorrow, so I ________ leave early.
2. She is very intelligent. She ________ solve the problem
easily.
3. ________ you please pass me the salt?
4. I am not sure if I ________ attend the party tonight.
5. You ________ take an umbrella. It’s raining outside.
6. He said he ________ help us with the project.
7. ________ I use your phone for a moment?
8. She promised she ________ be there on time.
9. If you study hard, you ________ succeed in your
21. Exercise Questions Answers
• 1. might, may
• 2. can
• 3. Could, Can
• 4. must, should
• 5. can, may
• 6. would, should
• 7. May, Can
• 8. must
• 9. can
22. More Questions
• Choose the appropriate modal verb to complete each
sentence:
1. I ___________ swim when I was five years old.
2. She ___________ come to the party if she finishes
her work on time.
3. They ___________ be tired after such a long journey.
4. We ___________ go to the cinema tonight. It’s
raining heavily.
5. You ___________ try the new restaurant in town. The
food is delicious.
23. Answers for it
1.I could swim when I was five years old.
2.She will come to the party if she finishes
her work on time.
3.They must be tired after such a long
journey.
4.We can’t go to the cinema tonight. It’s
raining heavily.
5.You should try the new restaurant in town.
The food is delicious.