Modal verbs

Modal verbs



What are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs. Here are some important differences:

1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person.

Examples:

He can speak Chinese.
She should be here by 9:00.


2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past.

Examples:

He should not be late.
They might not come to the party.


3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses.

Examples:

He will can go with us. Not Correct
She musted study very hard. Not Correct


Common Modal Verbs

Can- Could- May- Might- Must- Ought to- Shall- Should- Will- Would