Modal verbs in English

What is a modal verb?

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that conjugate irregularly and are widely used in the English language. They serve to give meaning to a phrase or sentence because, depending on the modal verb used, it can have different meanings. That is, they always accompany a main verb.

Characteristics of modal verbs

Modal verbs always have the following characteristics:

1. They modify other verbs

Their main role is to accompany the main verb and give meaning to the sentence.

2. They do not conjugate

This means that modal verbs are always used in the infinitive form but without the to.

3. They do not have a gerund

There is no coulding, musting.

4. They do not have a participle

In perfect tenses, the verb that uses the past participle is the main verb and not the modal verb, that is, there is no musted, mayed etc..

5. They do not need an auxiliary verb

Modal verbs, being auxiliary verbs themselves, do not need another verb to form the negation or interrogative sentence.

List of modal verbs in English

We share and explain the meaning of the main modal verbs used in English, along with some examples:

Can

We translate the modal verb can as ‘poder’ (to be able to). It expresses ability, possibility, capacity.

Examples:

• I can speak English. (I can speak Spanish.)
• I can’t go to the park. (I can’t go to the park.)
• Can you see me? (Can you see me?)

Could

The modal verb could is the past tense of can and also means possibility. It is more formal to use it to make a request.

Examples:

• He could lend me some money. (He could lend me money
• She couldn’t come to the party. (She couldn’t come to the party)
• Could you close the windows, please? (Could you close the windows please?)

May

The modal verb may expresses possibility or probability and requests.

Examples:

• We may go to the beach this summer. (We might go to the beach this summer.)
• She may not pass the English test. (She might not pass the English exam.)
• May I turn on the lights? (May I turn on the lights?)
• May I give you an advice? (May I give you some advice?)

Might

Very similar to the modal verb may, the modal verb might is used when talking about the possibility of an action happening in the future.

Examples:

• His father might come to the wedding. (His father might be able to come to the wedding.)
• They might arrive home late. (They might arrive home late.)

Will

The modal verb will expresses decisions made at the moment of speaking and also expresses the intention to do something. Its negative form is will not or won’t. It is widely used as an auxiliary verb to form the future tense of verbs.

Examples:

• She will answer my call. (She will answer my call.)
• They won’t know where to go. (They won’t know where to go.)
• Will you come to visit me? (Will you come to visit me?)

Would

The modal verb would is used to make polite questions. It also expresses repeated actions in the past.

Examples:

• I would like a glass of water, please. (I would like a glass of water, please.)
• They would play soccer every Saturday. (They played soccer every Saturday.)
• Would you like to play with me? (Would you like to play with me?)

Must

Must is used to refer to needs or commitments, although it can also express a strong assumption.

Examples:

• She must return early today. (She must return early today.)
• You must stop smoking. (You must stop smoking.)
• Must I follow the instructions? (Must I follow the instructions?)

Shall

The modal verb shall means the same as will so it is almost not used in the United States, but still used in the United Kingdom.

Examples:

• We shall go to the theater. (We will go to the theater.)
• I shall not speak so loud. (I should not speak so loud.)
• Shall we go now? (Shall we leave now?)

Should

The modal verb should corresponds to the verb ‘deber’ in Spanish and is used to express a obligation or duty or, less frequently, a possibility.

Examples:

• You should listen to your father. (You should listen to your father.)
• I should be there at noon. (I should be there at noon)
• Should I study for the exam? (Should I study for the exam?)

Ought to

The modal verb ought to has a very similar use to should, but is used in more formal contexts and is mostly found in writing. It can express a recommendation to do something, regret, obligation, among other things.

Examples:

• Why do you insist on repeating the same mistake? You ought to know better by now. (Why do you insist on repeating the same mistake? You should be more aware by now.)
• Children ought to be brought up in a healthy environment. (Children should be raised in a healthy environment.)
• She ought to be sorry for what she did. (She should regret what she did.)

Table of modal verbs

Verb	Use
Can	Ability
Could	Second conditional Ability in the past
May	Probability Permission requests
Might	Probability
Must	Obligation
Should	Obligation Recommendation
Will	Future tense Intention to do something
Would	Second conditional Reported speech
Shall	Future tense
Ought to	Obligation Recommendation

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