Modal verbs are an essential part of English grammar. They help us express different meanings such as ability, permission, obligation, advice, and possibility.
In this simple, student-friendly guide, we’ll learn what modal verbs are, how they are used, and see plenty of examples for each — Can, May, Must, Should, and Might — so you can start using them correctly in daily conversation and writing.
What Are Modal Verbs?
Modal verbs are helping verbs (auxiliary verbs) that express the mood or attitude of the speaker toward the main verb.
They do not show tense or number (no “-s” or “-ed” endings), but they change the meaning of the main verb to express possibility, ability, permission, or necessity.
Common Modal Verbs in English:
- Can
- Could
- May
- Might
- Must
- Shall
- Should
- Will
- Would
In this article, we’ll focus on five commonly used modal verbs: Can, May, Must, Should, and Might.
Modal Verb: CAN (Expressing Ability and Permission)
Function: Ability / Permission
Structure: Subject + can + base verb
A. To Express Ability
Use can to talk about something someone is able to do.
Examples:
- I can swim.
- She can speak three languages.
- They can solve difficult math problems.
Tip:
When talking about past ability, use could instead of can.
Example: I could read when I was four years old.
B. To Express Permission
Use can to ask or give permission in informal situations.
Examples:
- Can I go out?
- You can borrow my book.
- Can we use the computer now?
Tip:
For more polite requests, use may instead of can.
Modal Verb: MAY (Expressing Permission and Possibility)
Function: Permission / Possibility
Structure: Subject + may + base verb
A. To Ask or Give Permission (Polite)
May is used in formal or polite situations to ask permission.
Examples:
- May I come in, please?
- You may leave now.
- May we sit here?
B. To Express Possibility
Use may to show that something is possible, but not certain.
Examples:
- It may rain today.
- She may come to the party.
- We may travel next week.
Tip:
When you want to express a smaller chance, use might instead of may.
Modal Verb: MUST (Expressing Obligation or Necessity)
Function: Obligation / Strong Necessity
Structure: Subject + must + base verb
Must is used when something is necessary, important, or required.
Examples:
- You must wear a seatbelt.
- Students must submit the assignment on time.
- We must respect our teachers.
Tip:
- Must = rule or strong necessity
- Have to = external requirement (less strong)
Example:
You must eat healthy food. (Strong personal rule)
You have to wear a uniform. (School rule)
Modal Verb: SHOULD (Giving Advice or Suggestion)
Function: Advice / Recommendation
Structure: Subject + should + base verb
Use should when you want to give advice or suggest something.
Examples:
- You should exercise daily.
- We should save money.
- Students should listen carefully in class.
Tip:
- Should is softer than must.
- Must shows obligation; should shows advice.
Example:
You must wear a helmet. (Law or strict rule)
You should wear a helmet. (Good advice)
Modal Verb: MIGHT (Showing Possibility or Uncertainty)
Function: Possibility
Structure: Subject + might + base verb
Use might to express a small possibility or something that could happen, but you’re not sure.
Examples:
- It might rain today.
- She might be late.
- I might visit my grandparents this weekend.
Tip:
Might is weaker than may.Example: It may rain = more likely.
It might rain = less likely.
Summary Table – Modal Verbs and Their Functions
| Modal Verb | Function | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Can | Ability / Permission | I can swim. / Can I use your phone? |
| May | Permission / Possibility | May I go out? / It may rain today. |
| Must | Obligation / Necessity | You must wear a seatbelt. |
| Should | Advice / Suggestion | You should study hard. |
| Might | Possibility / Uncertainty | It might rain later. |
Rules for Using Modal Verbs
1. Always use the base form of the main verb after a modal.✅ I can dance.
❌ I can to dance.
✅ She can run fast.
❌ She cans run fast.
✅ You should not lie.
✅ It might not rain today.
- I can / You can / He can / We can
Practice Sentences
Fill in the blanks with the correct modal verb: can, may, must, should, might
- You ____ wear a uniform to school.
- I ____ go to the library this evening.
- Students ____ listen to the teacher carefully.
- She ____ speak English fluently.
- ____ I use your pen, please?
Answers:
- must
- might
- should
- can
- may
Quick Difference Summary
| Modal Verb | Meaning / Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Can | Ability or permission | I can swim. |
| May | Formal permission or possibility | May I go out? |
| Must | Strong necessity / rule | You must obey the law. |
| Should | Advice or moral duty | You should sleep early. |
| Might | Weak possibility | It might rain later. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Wrong | Correct |
|---|---|
| I can to swim. | I can swim. |
| She musts study. | She must study. |
| You should to come. | You should come. |
| It may rains. | It may rain. |
| He mights be late. | He might be late. |
Why Are Modal Verbs Important?
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Improve clarity | Helps you express confidence, advice, and permission correctly. |
| Make speech natural | Used daily by native speakers. |
| Essential for exams | Common in IELTS, TOEFL, and grammar tests. |
| Useful in polite language | “May I help you?” sounds more respectful than “Can I help you?” |
Extra Practice Examples
- Can you drive a car?
- You must be on time for the meeting.
- We should eat more fruits.
- It might snow tonight.
- May I borrow your notebook, please?
FAQ
Q1. What is a modal verb?
A modal verb is a helping verb that expresses mood, ability, permission, or necessity — for example: can, may, must, should, might.
Q2. Can we use “to” after modal verbs?
No. Modal verbs are always followed by the base verb (V1) without “to.”
✅ I can dance. ❌ I can to dance.
Q3. What’s the difference between “must” and “should”?
- Must = obligation (You must wear a helmet.)
- Should = advice (You should wear a helmet.)
Q4. Are modal verbs used in all tenses?
No. Modal verbs themselves do not change for tense or person (no -s or -ed forms). However, they can express time through context.
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