Modal Verbs

Front

What are modal verbs?

Back

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express necessity, possibility, permission, or ability. Examples include can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.

Front

What does 'must' indicate in a sentence?

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'Must' indicates a strong obligation or necessity. For example, 'You must finish your homework before going out.'

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What does 'should' imply?

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'Should' implies a recommendation or advice. For example, 'You should see a doctor if you're feeling unwell.'

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What is the difference between 'can' and 'could'?

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'Can' indicates present ability, while 'could' indicates past ability or a polite request. For example, 'I can swim' (present) vs. 'I could swim when I was younger' (past).

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What does 'may' express?

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'May' expresses possibility or permission. For example, 'You may leave the room' (permission) or 'It may rain tomorrow' (possibility).

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What does 'might' suggest?

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'Might' suggests a lower probability than 'may'. For example, 'It might rain later' indicates less certainty than 'It may rain later.'

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What does 'mustn't' mean?

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'Mustn't' indicates prohibition. For example, 'You mustn't smoke in the hospital.'

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What does 'can't' signify?

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'Can't' signifies inability or impossibility. For example, 'I can't lift this heavy box.'

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How is 'could' used in a sentence?

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'Could' is used to express past ability or polite requests. For example, 'I could play the piano when I was a child.' or 'Could you help me with this?'.

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What is the function of modal verbs in questions?

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Modal verbs in questions help to inquire about ability, permission, or possibility. For example, 'Can you help me?' or 'Should we leave now?'.