However, all of them can be used with different conjugations of a sentence’s main verb to refer to present or future time in different ways, so let’s talk a little about verb tenses and modal verbs. Note that in the second example above, because have is a verb that only sometimes functions as an auxiliary verb and at other times functions as a main verb, the question is formed with the auxiliary verb do at the beginning.īecause modal verbs deal largely with general situations or hypotheticals that haven’t actually happened, all of the core ones can refer to present and future time but only some of them can refer to past time, and most of the time they do not change form to make different tenses. In these cases, you can use the modal verbs should and must to show probability without certainty. Some things seem likely to be true but can’t be stated as definite facts. What special conditions do modal verbs indicate? Here’s a list, along with examples: Likelihood Some modal verbs express very specific conditions that don’t come up often, like dare in its modal form in “Dare I ask?” The word used in the idiomatic phrase used to, as in “I used to be an English student too,” behaves like a modal verb with only a past tense form. There are also verbs that can function either as main verbs or as modal auxiliaries depending on the context got, need, and have all behave like modal verbs in the common colloquial expressions got to, need to, and have to. Some-like shall and ought-are rarely used any longer. There are other, less common modal verbs. (Choose Flashcards in the Study mode in the bottom right corner, and click on the arrows above it to switch between front and back sides.)ġ) Is there anything you can’t do and would like to learn?Ģ) What are the three things you can do best?ģ) Name three things you may do this weekend.Ĥ) Name three things you may not do at school.ĥ) Should students be allowed to eat during lessons? Why or why not?Ħ) Name two things you must do every day.ħ) Name two things you mustn’t do at home.Ĩ) What activities couldn’t you do last year because of the pandemic?ĩ) Name three things you could do when you were younger but can’t do anymore.Modal verbs are quite common in English you’ve seen them in action hundreds of times even if you didn’t know what they were called. You can assign it as homework, it explains modal verbs in a very approachable and enjoyable way. I also recommend this wonderful video by Khan Academy. You must submit the application by Friday. She can speak play several musical instruments.

What are modal verbs? According to Merriam-Webster, a modal verb is 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. Practice modal verbs with conversation questions, watch video explanation and study example sentences.

Esl modal verbs exercises