Modal Verbs: Explanation, Functions, Examples, and Worksheet

What Are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs, also known as modal auxiliary verbs, are helping verbs that add extra meaning to the main verb in a sentence, such as ability, possibility, permission, or necessity. They help modify the main verb to express the speaker’s attitude, likelihood of an action, degrees of certainty, and functions in English sentences. They precede the base form of the main verb and don't change form based on the subject or tense. Common modal verbs in English include:

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

Here are a few definitions of modal verbs as per different dictionaries:

• Modals in English grammar, as per Oxford Dictionary, is “an auxiliary verb that expresses necessity or possibility. English modal verbs include must, shall, will, should, would, can, could, may, and might.”
• A modal verb, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is "a verb used with another verb to express an idea such as possibility that is not expressed by the main verb."
• Merriam Webster defines modal auxiliary as “a verb (such as can, could, shall, should, ought to, will, or would) that is usually used with another verb to express ideas such as possibility, necessity, and permission.”

Functions of Modal Verbs and Its Uses with Examples

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express modality, adding meaning to the main verb in a sentence. Here are a few modal verbs examples along with their main functions:

1. Ability: Can and could are used to express the capability of the subject to perform an action.

• Example: She can speak German fluently.
• Example: I could help you with the household chores.

2. Possibility and Probability: May, might, could, can, will, and must indicate the likelihood of an action happening with varying degrees of certainty.

• Example: It may rain in the evening.
• Example: There might be an auto strike next week.
• Example: They could win the match.

3. Permission: Can, could, may, and might are used to ask for or grant permission, with may being the most formal.

• Example: May I leave the table?
• Example: You can borrow my laptop for the presentation.
• Example: Could I use this chair?

4. Obligation and Necessity: Must, should, ought to, have to, and need to express necessity, obligation, requirement, or strong recommendation.

• Example: You must wear a helmet when riding a bike.
• Example: All students of this institution ought to abide by the rules and instructions provided.
• Example: We have to follow the rules set by management.

5. Requests: Can, could, will, would, and shall are used to make polite requests to ask someone to do something.

• Example: Could you take a message, please?
• Example: Would you mind closing the window?

6. Advice and Suggestion: Should, ought to, and could are commonly used for recommendations, advice, or suggestions.

• Example: You should try to get more sleep.
• Example: Could I dance at the party?

7. Offers and Invitations: Shall, can, will, and would, are used to offer assistance or invite someone to something.

• Example: Can I help you?
• Example: Would you like to come round tomorrow?
• Example: Shall I help you with that?

8. Habit: Will (for present/future habits), would, and used to (for past habits).

• Example: When I was a child, I would play outside for hours.
• Example: He would always drink coffee in the morning.

9. Future Intent or Certainty: Will and shall express future actions or intentions.

• Example: I will call you tomorrow.
• Example: We shall overcome this challenge.

10. Prohibition: Negative forms of modal verbs(e.g., must not, cannot) indicate something is not allowed.

• Example: You must not smoke here.
• Example: You cannot park your car here.

11. Lack of Necessity: Don’t have to, need not show that something is not required.

• Example: You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.
• Example: You need not worry about it.

These are a few functions of modal verbs, you can also call them types of modal verbs. Look at the table below, it shows all the modal auxiliary verbs and their functions along with their examples.

Modal Verb	Functions	Example
can	ability, permission, possibility	She can swim.
could	past ability, polite requests	Could you help me?
may	permission, possibility	May I come in?
might	possibility, suggestion	It might snow.
will	future intent, certainty, habit	I will call you.
would	polite requests, past habit	5 years back, I would walk daily.
shall	offers, suggestions, future intent	Shall we dance?
should	advice, obligation	You should rest.
must	strong obligation, necessity	You must stop.
ought to	moral obligation	You ought to help.

Modal Verbs with Examples in Sentences

Here are 10 examples of modal sentences, covering a range of functions such as ability, permission, possibility, obligation, advice, and requests:

1. She can swim very well.

2. Could you please pass me the salt?

3. You may enter the room now.

4. It might rain later today.

5. You must wear a seatbelt while driving.

6. Shall we go to the cinema tonight?

7. You should check your answers before submitting the test.

8. I will be there by 8 PM.

9. I would go with you if I had the time.

10. You ought to check your email for the update.

Common Mistakes with Modal Verbs

By being aware of these common mistakes, you can use modal verbs more accurately and naturally in English. These are basically modals rules that you must keep in mind while using these verbs. Besides, incorrect and correct modal examples are provided for your reference below.

1. Using two modal verbs or double modals together.

• Incorrect: I will can go out tonight.
• Correct: I will be able to go out tonight.

2. Changing the form of the modal verb for tense.

• Incorrect: He must finish the report.
• Correct: He had to finish the report.

3. Using the wrong verb form after a modal or incorrect use of “to”.

• Incorrect: I can to move this heavy table. / I could move to the US.
• Correct: I can move this heavy table. / I could move to the US.

4. Misuse of modal auxiliary verbs in questions or negatives.

• Incorrect: Did you can swim?
• Correct: Can you swim?

5. Using the  wrong tenses with modal verbs.

• Incorrect: I could swam.
• Correct: I could swim.

6. Incorrect negative formation

• Incorrect: I don't can swim
• Correct: I cannot swim or I can't swim.

7. Incorrect use of "can" for permission

• Incorrect: Can I go to the bathroom?
• Correct: May I go to the bathroom?

8. Adding "s" to the verbs for third person singular.

• Incorrect: She cans swim.
• Correct: She can swim.

9. Omitting past participle

• Incorrect: It should be change.
• Correct: It should be changed.

10. Incorrect use of "could" for past ability

• Incorrect: He could run fast when he was younger.
• Correct: He was able to run fast when he was younger.

Worksheet of Modal Verbs

Here is a modal verbs worksheet to test your skills. You may read the instructions below and assess yourself. Besides, an answer key is also provided at the end of the exercise so that you can check your answers.

Instructions: Fill in the blanks. Each question tests your understanding of modal verbs such as can, could, may, might, must, should, ought to, and would.

1. You _______ finish your homework before you play outside. (must/should)

2. _______ I open the window. (May/Must)

3. She _______ speaks three languages fluently. (can/might)

4. It looks cloudy. It _______ rain later. (may/must)

5. You _______ smoke in the library. (shouldn't/can)

6. We _______ go to the museum tomorrow if we have time. (could/must)

7. He _______ be at home; his car is not in the driveway. (can’t/must)

8. You _______ wear a helmet. (can/must)

9. She_______ join us for dinner. (can/might)

10. You _______ drink more water. (should/ought to)

Answer Key

1. must / should (Both are correct, but "must" is stronger for necessity)

2. May.

3. can.

4. may.

5. shouldn't.

6. could.

7. can’t.

8. must.

9. might.

10. should.

Conclusion

To wrap up, modal verbs are a type of verb and therefore are considered parts of speech in English language. These verbs are essential in English for expressing a range of meanings, and add connotation to statements, allowing speakers to indicate degrees of certainty, necessity, permission, or ability that the main verb alone cannot convey. Further, we even covered several rules of modalsalong with their examples. Understanding these is essential as they are considered fundamental to mastering the language. If you are seeking professional help, then Gradding.com is a one-stop solution for all your issues.

FAQ’s

1. What Are Modal Verbs?

English modal verbs are a special type of auxiliary (helping) verb used alongside a main verb to express meanings such as possibility, ability, necessity, permission, obligation, or requests.

2. What Are Semi-Modal Verbs?

Semi-modal verbs, also known as semi-auxiliaries or marginal modals, are a group of verbs that share characteristics with both modal verbs and main verbs. These modal verbs in sentences differ from true modals in how they are formed and used.

3. What Is the Formula for Modals in a Sentence?

Modal verbs in English grammar almost always accompany the base (infinitive) form of another verb using this simple formula: modal + (not) + verb. For example, she could sing very loudly. She could not sing very loudly.

4. What Are Some Less Common Modal Verbs?

Modal examples that are less common include ought to, dare, need, and used to. They are less common due to shifts in language usage and regional variations. For example, "Shall" is more common in British English, particularly in formal contexts, but not so much in American English.