English Modals: Can, Could, Should, May, Might, Must, Will, etc.

In English conjugation, modal verbs are used to express the context of an action, such as possibility, obligation, ability, and more.

There are 12 main modal verbs in English: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought, dare, and need.

Learn what these modals mean and how to use them in different situations.

What is a Modal Verb in English?

Modal verbs, also known as modal auxiliaries, are special verbs that are very common in English. They are useful for expressing the framework or context of an action, such as possibility, obligation, ability, necessity, permission, prohibition, suggestion, deduction, certainty, and more.

Long story short: Mastering modal verbs is essential for understanding English grammar because they allow you to convey important information with just a few words!

What are the main grammatical characteristics of Modal Auxiliaries?

Modal verbs are unlike regular verbs: they have no infinitive, no imperative, no -ING form, and no third-person singular ending. They are a kind of “super” irregular verbs.

How to conjugate modals?

Modal verbs are unique in their conjugation because these auxiliaries do not follow typical verb patterns except for dare and need. They have some special grammatical rules that set them apart:

• No Infinitive: You will never say to can or to must.
• No Imperative: Modals cannot be used as commands. You cannot demand Can! from someone.
• No -ING Form: We will never use phrases like He’s canning or She’s musting.
• No 3rd-Person Singular Ending: We will never write He cans or She musts.

Additionally, modal verbs can be used alone without the main verb they modify, which is then implied.

Example	Explanation	Audio
Can you play the piano? Yes, I can!	Expresses an ability

How to Form Affirmative, Interrogative, or Negative Sentences with Modals

These are called auxiliary verbs, which means they help form different types of sentences. With a few exceptions, they are usually placed directly before a verb in its base form (without to) and are never used with the auxiliary do. Here’s how to use them in different forms:

Affirmative Sentences

In the affirmative form, the structure is: subject + modal + infinitive of the verb (without to).

Example	Explanation	Audio
He must finish his dinner.	Expresses a necessity.

Interrogative Sentences

To ask a question using a modal verb, the structure is: modal + subject + base form of the verb (without to).

Example	Explanation	Audio
Can you call me this afternoon?	Asks about ability or willingness

Negative Sentences

To form a negative sentence with a modal verb, use the structure: subject + modal + not + base form of the verb (without to). Some negative forms can be contracted.

Example	Explanation	Audio
I cannot believe it! = I can’t believe it!	Expresses disbelief

What are the Modal Auxiliaries in English?

There are 12 modal verbs in English used to express various nuances such as capacity, ability, advice, requests, habits, prohibitions, necessities, obligations, permissions, possibilities, and desires:

1. can,
2. could,
3. may,
4. might,
5. shall,
6. should,
7. will,
8. would,
9. must,
10. ought,
11. dare,
12. need.

Each modal has its own specific use in English grammar and can change the meaning of a sentence depending on the context.

Modal Verb #1: Can

Capacity

Example	Explanation	Audio
I can swim.	Shows ability

Possibility, hypothesis

Example	Explanation	Audio
Can there be a connection between those two phenomenons?	Conveys possibility

Could is the past form of can and is used to express similar ideas with added courtesy or in a more polite way.

Capacity

Example	Explanation	Audio
He couldn’t face the danger.	This shows inability.

Possibility, hypothesis

Example	Explanation	Audio
Could you get us some wine, please?	A polite request.

Modal Verb #3: May

May and might have similar meaning but are slightly different. There are two nuances:

• Probability: May suggests a higher probability of an event occurring compared to might.
• Politeness: Might is even more polite than may but is used less frequently.

Permission

Example	Explanation	Audio
You may use the phone.	Permisision is granted.

Probability

Example	Explanation	Audio
I may need some help.	Indicates possibility

Concession

Example	Explanation	Audio
He may be richer than I am, but he is certainly not smarter.	Indicates possibility.

Wish

Example	Explanation	Audio
May the Lord bless you and keep you.	Indicate wish or blessing.

Modal Verb #4: Might

Probability

Example	Explanation	Audio
It might rain tomorrow.	Indicates possibility.

Permission

Example	Explanation	Audio
Might I borrow your pen?	Polite request.

Reproach

Example	Explanation	Audio
You might be more grateful.	Suggests advice or recommendation.

Modal Verb #5: Shall

Prediction

Example	Explanation	Audio
I shall fear no evil.	Indicates determination or strong intention.

Prohibition

Example	Explanation	Audio
You shall not pass!	Indicates prohibition or command.

Request, proposal, suggestion

Example	Explanation	Audio
Shall I turn on the lights?	Indicates a suggestion or offer.

Modal Verb #6: Should

Prediction

Example	Explanation	Audio
That should be enough to buy a bus ticket.	Indicates expectation or suggested certainty.

Advice, recommendation, suggestion

Example	Explanation	Audio
You should go easy on the alcohol.	Indicates advice.

Obligation, reproach, regret

Example	Explanation	Audio
You shouldn’t be here!	Indicates prohibition or advice.

Modal Verb #7: Will

Prediction

Example	Explanation	Audio
The sun will rise tomorrow at 8.10 am.	Indicates future certainty.

Order

Example	Explanation	Audio
You will do it, right now.	Indicates strong intention or command.

Will

Example	Explanation	Audio
They won’t tell me anything.	Indicates refusal or negative intention.

Trend, habit

Example	Explanation	Audio
Boys will be boys.	Indicates general truth or expectation.

Modal Verb #8: Would

Past form of will

Example	Explanation	Audio
He said he would go to the cinema.	Indicates future intention or reported speech.

Conditional

Example	Explanation	Audio
I would if I could!	Indicates conditional intention or willingness.

Polite request

Example	Explanation	Audio
Would you mind closing the door?	Indicates a polite request.

Probability

Example	Explanation	Audio
That would be my father at the door.	Indicates deduction or speculation.

Habit in the past

Example	Explanation	Audio
I would usually go to this restaurant every week.	Indicates a past habit.

Modal Verb #9: Must

Obligation

Example	Explanation	Audio
I must go.	Indicates obligation.

Probability

Example	Explanation	Audio
He must have left the party.	Indicates deduction

Modal Verb #10: Ought

Ought is slightly different from other modal verbs, so it’s called a semi-modal. Unlike most modal verbs, ought is always followed by to. For example, You ought to study for the exam.

Advice

Example	Explanation	Audio
You ought to apologize to her.	Indicates advice or moral obligation.

Probability

Example	Explanation	Audio
The conference ought to be over before noon.	Indicates expectation or likelihood.

Regret (past tense)

Example	Explanation	Audio
I ought to have talked to her.	Indicates regret or missed obligation.

Modal Verb #11: Dare

Like ought, dare is a semi-modal verb. It can be used as a modal verb, but it can also act as a regular verb, meaning it can be followed by a verb with to. For example, He dared to speak up.

Challenge, transgression

Example	Explanation	Audio
How dare you talk to me like that?	Indicates shock or outrage.

Modal Verbe#12: Need

Like ought and dare, need is also a semi-modal. Like dare, it can be used, depending on the situation:

• as modal: need + verb
• as non-modal: need to + verb

Necessity

Example	Explanation	Audio
I need to go to the bus station.	Indicate necessary action

English Modals: Summary Table

Want a quick guide on how to choose the right English modal? Check out this summary table to help you avoid mistakes!

Modal verb	Use	Negative form	Remark
Can	→ Capacity → Possibility, hypothesis	can not / cannot / can’t	To express what is possible or what someone is able to do.
Could	→ Capacity → Possibility, hypothesis	could not / couldn’t	Past tense of can, also used for polite requests and hypothetical situations.
May	→ Permission → Probability → Concession → Wish	may not	Used to express permission, less certain probability, or polite wishes.
Might	→ Probability → Permission → Reproach	might not	Indicates a lower probability than may and can also be used for polite requests or reproach.
Shall	→ Prediction → Prohibition → Request, proposal, suggestion	shall not / shan’t	Less common in modern English, often used for formal requests or offers.
Should	→ Prediction → Advice, recommendation, suggestion → Obligation, reproach, regret	should not / shouldn’t	Used to give advice, express obligation, or indicate regret.
Will	→ Prediction → Order → Will → Tendency, habit	will not / won’t	Semi-modal which is less common in spoken English, must be followed by to.
Would	→ Conditional → Polite request → Probability → Habit in the past	would not / wouldn’t	Past tense of will. Used for polite requests, conditional situations, or past habits.
Must	→ Obligation → Probability	must not / mustn’t	Indicates strong obligation or high probability, similar to have to.
Ought	→ Advice → Probability → Regret in the past	ought not to / oughtn’t to	Semi-modal which indicates a challenge or reluctance, can be used with or without to.
Dare	→ Challenge, transgression	dare not / daren’t	Semi-modal which indicates a challenge or reluctance, can be used with or without to.
Need	→ Necessity	need not / needn’t	Semi-modal which can also be used with or without to.