Wednesday, July 30, 2025

MODALS

 

MODAL VERBS

LIST OF MODAL VERBS WITH USES AND EXAMPLES

Modal verbs are helping verbs used with main verbs to express ability, possibility, permission, obligation, advice, necessity, certainty, etc.


Modal

Use / Meaning

Example

Can

Ability / Permission / Possibility

She can swim. Can I use your phone?

Could

Past ability / Polite request / Possibility

I could run fast when I was 10. Could you help me?

May

Permission / Possibility

You may go now. It may rain today.

Might

Weak possibility

We might be late.

Shall

Suggestion / Future (formal)

Shall we go for a walk? I shall return.

Should

Advice / Moral duty / Probability

You should study harder. He should be home by now.

Will

Future / Promise / Strong certainty

I will call you. She will succeed.

Would

Polite request / Hypothetical situation / Habit (past)

Would you like some tea? I would walk every evening.

Must

Strong necessity / Obligation / Deduction

You must wear a helmet. She must be tired.


🔸 Semi-Modals (Modal-like expressions)

Semi-Modal

Use / Meaning

Example

Ought to

Moral duty / Advice

You ought to respect your elders.

Need to

Necessity (more common as main verb)

You need to complete this task.

Dare to

Challenge / Bravery (rare as modal)

Dare he speak to me like that?

Used to

Past habit or state

I used to live in Delhi.

Had better

Strong advice / Warning

You had better see a doctor.




📘 Grouped by Function

Ability

  • Can: I can dance.

  • Could: He could speak French as a child.

Permission

  • May: May I come in?

  • Can: Can I borrow your book?

  • Could: Could I leave early today?

Possibility

  • May: It may rain tomorrow.

  • Might: They might come late.

  • Could: This could be dangerous.

Advice / Suggestion

  • Should: You should exercise.

  • Ought to: You ought to help her.

  • Had better: You had better take your umbrella.

Obligation / Necessity

  • Must: You must wear your ID card.

  • Need to: You need to submit this today.

  • Have to (main verb, modal use): I have to leave now.

Future / Promise / Intention

  • Will: I will help you.

  • Shall: Shall we begin?

Hypothetical / Polite

  • Would: I would go if I were free. <br> Would you like some tea?


⚠️ Quick Notes:

  • Modals do not take “-s” or “-ed.”
    ❌ He cans swim. → ✅ He can swim.

  • Modals are followed by base verb (V1):
    ✅ She can dance.
    ✅ You must study.


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