A modal verb is a verb that is used before another verb to express meanings such as ability, permission, possibility, necessity or advice. The modal verbs are [can, could,may,might,must, ought, shall, should,will] and [would].[Need] and [used] to can follow some of the grammar patterns of modal verbs, but are also used like ordinary verbs. For more information about any modal verb, look in the dictionary at the entry for the word.
The grammar of modal verbs • they are usually followed by an in?nitive without to You should thank him (true) You should to thank him. (false) • there is no ‘s’ for the third person singular he must, she must, it must (true) • they have no in?nitive or -ing form I would like to can go. (false) • they cannot follow another verb. I want to can sleep tonight. (false) • they are not used in future, perfect or continuous tenses they will might be angry. (false) they have must leave. (false) they are canning to speak English. (false)
Example modal verb: can Look at the extract on the below which is based on what is in the dictionary. From the guidewords,we can see that the modal verb can is used to describe the following ideas: • ability • permission • request • possibility • polite offers of help Look at the example sentences. Notice that • The forms of can for [you] and [she] are the same: you can, she can • When you use modal verbs in questions or negatives you do not use auxiliary verbs such as [do] or [have]: Can you drive?
