Otuk #1 British Online School

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OTUK #1 British Online School
https://onlineteachersuk.com
How To Use Modal Verbs In English (The Complete Guide)
Modal verbs in English can be confusing! In this guide, we’ll explain what they are, why and how we use
them correctly, and give you examples to improve your understanding. Mastering modals like should,
would, may and might will help you express yourself clearly in the English. Don’t forget to download the
pdf so you can study more at home!
What you will learn:
What are modal verbs?
How many are there in English?
Why use modals?
6 types of modal verbs (with examples)
Modal verbs – past, future, passive
What are modal verbs?
Modal verbs allow us to express ideas and opinions connected with possibility, certainty, necessity,
ability, obligation or the willingness to do something. Common modal verbs include: can, should and 
must. For example, in ‘I must go home’ the modal verb ‘must’ shows obligation.
Modals are a type of auxiliary (helping) verb. Sometimes we can use a normal auxiliary verb and a
preposition to express the same idea. For example, in ‘I have to go home’ this combination means the
same as ‘must’. We call this a “semi-modal”.
Some important differences between modals and other verbs are:
a. Modal verbs cannot be used without main verbs in positive or negative sentences and questions
I can give you the answer tomorrow morning. 
– Right
I can ___ the answer tomorrow morning. 
– Wrong
b. For he/she/it forms, modals do not add ‘-s’
He should tell his mother.
– Right
He shoulds tell his mother.
– Wrong
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OTUK #1 British Online School
https://onlineteachersuk.com
c. After a modal verb, you always use the infinitive (main verb, but without ‘to’)
We might go to the cinema this evening. 
– Right
We might to go to the cinema this evening. 
– Wrong
d. Questions with modal verbs are easy because you just invert the subject and modal