24 Modal Auxiliary Verbs List PDF!
They can be distinguished from other verbs by their defectiveness (they do not have participle or infinitive forms) and by their neutralization (that they do not take the ending -(e)s in the third-person singular). Auxiliary Verbs – Definition and Examples
The modal verbs in English are a small class of auxiliary verbs used to express possibility, obligation, advice, permission, ability.
They can be distinguished from other verbs by their defectiveness (they do not have participle or infinitive forms) and by their neutralization (that they do not take the ending -(e)s in the third-person singular).
Must Learn: Daily Used Words in English
The principal English modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would. Certain other verbs are sometimes, but not always, classed as modals; these include ought, had better, and (in certain uses) dare and need.
Verbs that share only some of the characteristics of the principal modals are sometimes called “quasi-modals,” “semi-modals,” or “pseudo-modals.”
Modal Verbs! A modal verb might also be referred to as a ‘helping verb’ and these are very common within the English language.
There are, however, certain rules which surround their use, for example, the word ‘to’ must never be used after a modal verb. Learning these rules and how a modal verb can function within a sentence can greatly help you in forming grammatically correct sentences.
In this section, we are going to take a look at the modal verb in a little more detail as well as some examples of how it can be used, giving you a greater understanding of its function.
Learn the useful list of modal verbs and how to use 24 modal auxiliary verbs in English with useful grammar rules, example sentences, and ESL pictures.
Modal verbs List
The modals and modal phrases (semi-modals) in English are:
- Will
- Shall
- Would
- Should
- Ought to
- Must
- Mustn’t
- May
- Might
- Can
- Could
- Have to/ Has to
- Don’t/ Doesn’t have to
Must Learn: Contraction Grammar in English
Examples of Modal Verbs
Here is a list of modals auxiliary Verbs with examples:
Modal Verb |
Expressing |
Example |
Must |
Strong obligation |
You must stop when the traffic lights turn red. |
logical conclusion / Certainty |
He must be very tired. He’s been working all day long. |
|
Prohibition(must not) |
You must not smoke in the hospital. |
|
Can |
ability |
I can swim. |
permission |
Can I use your phone, please? |
|
possibility |
Smoking can cause cancer. |
|
Could |
ability in the past |
When I was younger I could run fast. |
polite permission |
Excuse me, could I just say something? |
|
Possibility |
It could rain tomorrow! |
|
May |
permission |
May I use your phone, please? |
possibility, probability |
It may rain tomorrow! |
|
Might |
polite permission |
Might I suggest an idea? |
possibility, probability |
I might go on holiday to Australia next year. |
|
lack of necessity/absence of obligation (need not) |
I need not to buy tomatoes. There are plenty of tomatoes in the fridge. |
|
should/ought to |
50 % obligation |
I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache. |
advice |
You should / ought to revise your lessons |
|
logical conclusion |
He should / ought to be very tired. He’s been working all day long. |
|
Will/Would |
Polite request |
Will you join me for lunch? I would appreciate your assistance. |
Formal request |
Will you be quiet! Would you please pay attention! |
|
Show intention |
He will arrive at the beginning of the concert. They would be the first students to register for the workshop. |
|
Make prediction |
If she receives a scholarship, she will continue with her studies. |
Modal Verbs with Definition and Examples
Modal Verb – Will
WillThe verb “will” is used to express: |
|
PromiseExample: Don’t worry, I will be here. |
Instant decisionExample: I will take these books with me. |
Invitation/OfferExample: Will you give me a chance? |
Certain predictionExample: John Smith will be the next President. |
Future tense auxiliaryExample: Tomorrow I will be in New York.
|
Modal Verb – Shall
ShallThe verb “shall” is used to express: |
|
Asking what to doExample: Shall I get the phone? Or will you? |
OfferExample: Shall I call a cab? |
SuggestionExample: Shall I call again on Thursday? |
Modal Verb – Would
WouldThe verb “would” is used to express: |
|
Asking for permissionExample: Would you mind if I opened the window? |
RequestExample: Would you make dinner? |
InvitationExample: Would you like to go out sometime? |
PreferencesExample: Would you prefer the window seat or the aisle? |
Modal Verb – Should
ShouldThe verb “should” is used to express: |
|
AdviceExample: You should visit your dentist at least twice a year. |
Recommending actionExample: You really should go to the new museum on Main Street. |
Uncertain predictionExample: I posted the cheque yesterday so it should arrive this week. |
Logical deductionExample: I’ve revised it so I should be ready for the test. |
Modal Verb – Ought to
Ought toThe verb “ought to” is used to express: |
|
AdviceExample: You ought to have come to the meeting. It was interesting. |
Logical deductionExample: 30$ ought to be enough for the taxi. |
Modal Verb – Must
MustThe verb “must” is used to express |
|
Obligation/ NecessityExample: I must memorize all of these rules about tenses. |
DeductionExample: She lied to the police. She must be the murderer. |
Modal Auxiliary verb – Mustn’t
Mustn’tThe verb “musn’t” (must not) is used to express: |
ProhibitionExample: You mustn’t smoke in this restaurant. It’s forbidden.
|
Modal Verb – May
MayThe verb “may” is used to express: |
|
PossibilityExample: Richard may be coming to see us tomorrow. |
Ask for permissionExample: May I borrow your dictionary? |
Modal Verb – Might
MightThe verb “might” is used to express: |
|
Slight possibilityExample: It looks nice, but it might be very expensive. |
Past form of “may” in reported speechExample: The President said he might come. |
Modal Auxiliary verb – Can
CanThe verb “can” is used to express: |
|
AbilityExample: David can speak three languages. |
Permission (informal)Example: Can I sit in that chair, please? |
OffersExample: Can I carry the luggage for you? |
Modal Auxiliary verb – Could
CouldThe verb “could” is used to express: |
|
RequestExample: Could I borrow your dictionary? |
SuggestionExample: Could you say it again more slowly? |
Ability in the pastExample: I think we could have another Gulf War. |
Asking for permissionExample: Could I open the window? |
Modal Auxiliary verb – Has to
Have to/ Has toThe verb “have to/has to” is used to express: |
External ObligationExample: You have to take off your shoes before you get into the mosque. |
Modal Auxiliary verb – Don’t/Doesn’t have to
Don’t/ Doesn’t have to“Don’t/Doesn’t have to” is used to express: |
Is not necessaryExample: You don’t have to do all the exercises, only the first one. |
Modal Verbs Exercise
…………….. I come with you?
- Can
- Will
- Would
………………. you help me with the housework, please? (Polite request)
- Could
- Will
- Should
My grandmother is eighty-five, but she ……………… still read and write without glasses. (Ability)
- can
- could
- may
There was a time when I ………….. stay up very late. (Past ability)
- would
- could
You …………….. not lose any more weight. You are already slim. (Necessity)
- may
- need
- should
It is snowing outside so I …………… stay at home. (Intention)
- may
- will
- can
I ………………. get you a shawl from Kashmir. (Promise)
- will
- would
- can
- may
…………….. you mind if I borrowed your car? (Permission)
- Will
- Would
- Should
……………. you take care of my dog for a day? (Polite request)
- Will
- Shall
- Should
Our country ………………. become a superpower by 2025. (possibility)
- may
- might
- will
- should
We …………… make the first move. (Prohibition)
- must not
- will not
- cannot
She …………… sell her home because she needs money. (weak possibility)
- may
- might
- could
Answers
1. Can I come with you?
2. Could you help me with the housework, please?
3. My grandmother is eighty-five, but she can still read and write without glasses.
4. There was a time when I could stay up very late.
5. You need not lose any more weight. You are already slim.
6. It is snowing outside so I will stay at home.
7. I will get you a shawl from Kashmir.
8. Would you mind if I borrowed your car?
9. Will you take care of my dog for a day?
10. Our country may become a superpower by 2025.
11. We must not make the first move.
12. She might sell her home because she needs money.
Modal Auxilary Verb Exercises
Use modal verbs where possible. If a modal verb can’t be used with a certain tense, use its substitute.
- You (must) get up early tomorrow.
- You (not / need) call a baby sitter.
- We (may) watch the film tonight.
- He (not / can) see me yesterday.
- She (must) stay at school yesterday afternoon.
- (may / you) go to the disco yesterday?
- He (not / must) sleep now.
- You (not / need) answer.
- He (ought to) give evidence at the court yesterday.
- Since he bought the new car he (not / can) sleep.
Answers
- You must get up early tomorrow.
- You need not call a baby sitter.
- We may watch the film tonight.
- He could not see me yesterday.
- She had to stay at school yesterday afternoon.
- Were you allowed to go to the disco yesterday?
- He must not sleep now.
- You need not answer.
- He was supposed to give evidence at the court yesterday.
- Since he bought the new car he has not been able to sleep.
Infographics (Modal Auxiliary Verbs )



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