"Master Modal Verbs: Can, Could, Will, Would & More Explained!

What are modal verbs?

Modal verbs are special verbs that help us express things like ability, possibility, permission, obligation, or advice. They’re always used with another verb (the main verb) and don’t change form (no -s, -ing, or -ed endings).

Here are the most common modal verbs:

• can
• could
• may
• might
• shall
• should
• will
• would
• must

How to use them? (Simplified!)

1. Can – Ability or permission
• "I can swim." (ability)
• "Can I go to the party?" (permission)
2. Could – Polite requests or past ability
• "Could you help me?" (polite request)
• "When I was young, I could run fast." (past ability)
3. May – Polite permission or possibility
• "May I borrow your pen?" (polite permission)
• "It may rain tomorrow." (possibility)
4. Might – Slight possibility
• "I might go to the concert." (maybe, not sure)
5. Shall – Suggestions or future (formal)
• "Shall we start the meeting?" (suggestion)
• "I shall call you tomorrow." (future, formal)
6. Should – Advice or recommendation
• "You should eat more vegetables." (advice)
7. Will – Future or promises
• "I will call you later." (future)
• "I will help you, I promise!" (promise)
8. Would – Polite requests or hypothetical situations
• "Would you like some tea?" (polite offer)
• "If I were rich, I would travel the world." (hypothetical)
9. Must – Obligation or strong necessity
• "You must wear a seatbelt." (obligation)
• "I must finish this project today." (strong necessity)

Key Rules to Remember:

1. No "to" after modals:
• Correct: "I can swim."
• Incorrect: "I can to swim."
2. No -s, -ing, or -ed endings:
• Correct: "She can sing."
• Incorrect: "She cans sing."
3. Use the base form of the main verb:
• Correct: "He should study."
• Incorrect: "He should studies."

Examples in Context:

• Ability: "I can speak French."
• Permission: "May I leave early?"
• Possibility: "It might snow tonight."
• Advice: "You should see a doctor."
• Obligation: "You must finish your homework."