Read and learn about modal verbs!
First, let's review modal vebs from 6th grade!
Modal verbs are special verbs that help us express ideas like ability, permission, necessity, possibility, and obligation.
CAN
Can is used to talk about ability (what you can do) or to ask for permission.
For example:
I can read Spanish.
Can I go to the bathroom?
Can I go to the bathroom?
COULD
Could is used to talk about past ability, ask for polite permission, or show a possibility.
For example:
I could swim when I was a child.
Could you pass the salt, please?
It could snow tomorrow.
Could you pass the salt, please?
It could snow tomorrow.
SHOULD
Should is used to express advice or recommendation.
For example:
They should arrive early to get good seats at the show.
You should study for the test tomorrow.
WILL
Will is used to express future actions or offers.
For example: I will help you with your homework.
WOULD
Would is used to express polite requests or hypothetical situations.
For example:
I would like some coffee.
If I had time, I would go to the gym.
MUST
Must is used to talk about necessity or obligation.
For example:
You must wear a helmet
I must study.
I must study.
MAY
May is used to give or ask for permission (more formal) or to show a possibility.
For example:
May I leave the room?
It may rain later.
It may rain later.
MIGHT
Might is used to express possibility or uncertainty.
For example:
I might visit my grandparents this weekend.
It might snow tomorrow.
It might snow tomorrow.
Svarīgi!
Might is often used to express a lower probability or more uncertainty than may.
Modal Verbs in the Sentence
- The structure of affirmative sentences:
Subject + modal verb + base verb
For example:
I can swim.
You must finish your homework.
You must finish your homework.
- The structure of negative sentences:
Subject + modal verb + not + base verb
For example:
He could not come to the party.
She may not speak during the test.
She may not speak during the test.
The structure of questions:
Modal verb + subject + base verb?
For example:
Can you help me?
May I come in?
May I come in?
Table of Modal Verbs
