Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, will, would, shall, should, ought to, need) are auxiliary verbs that provide information about ability, possibility, necessity, permission, and other nuances in a sentence.
- Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the verb (infinitive without “to”), and their form doesn’t change.
- They are used to convey various shades of meaning and express the speaker’s attitude or certainty toward the action or situation.
1. Ability:
- Can: Expresses present ability. I can swim.
- Could: Expresses past ability. They could speak multiple languages.
- Be able to: Used to indicate ability. She is able to solve complex problems.
2. Possibility:
- Must: Implies strong probability. It must be raining.
- Might/May/Could: Indicate varying degrees of possibility. He might come later.
- Can’t/Couldn’t: Denote unlikelihood or impossibility. It can’t be true.
3. Necessity:
- Must: Indicates obligation or strong necessity. You must complete the assignment.
- Have to: Expresses necessity. I have to go to the meeting.
4. Permission:
- Can/May: Ask for and grant permission. Can I go now? You may leave early.
5. Future Predictions:
- Will: Expresses future certainty or prediction. It will rain tomorrow.
- Would: Often used in reported speech to indicate future predictions made in the past. She said it would be sunny tomorrow.
6. Requests and Offers:
- Can/Could/May/Would: Used to make polite requests or offers. Can you help me? Would you like some tea?
7. Advisability:
- Should/Ought to: Indicate advice or recommendations. You should exercise regularly.
8. Logical Deductions:
- Must/Can’t: Used to make logical deductions based on available information. She must be busy if she didn’t answer the phone.
Modal verbs are versatile tools in English that help convey shades of meaning, politeness, and the speaker’s perspective on various situations.