Modal Verbs: Can, Could, Should, Must and More
How to use English modal verbs: can, could, may, might, must, should, will and would for ability, permission, obligation and advice, with examples.
Modal verbs, can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will and would, are helping verbs that add meaning about ability, possibility, permission, obligation and advice. They are followed by the base verb with no to and no -s.
Ability and possibility
| Modal | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| can | ability, informal permission | I can drive. Can I sit here? |
| could | past ability, polite request | I could swim at five. Could you help me? |
| may | formal permission, possibility | May I come in? It may rain. |
| might | weaker possibility | She might be late. |
Obligation and advice
| Modal | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| must | strong obligation, certainty | You must wear a seatbelt. He must be tired. |
| should | advice, recommendation | You should see a doctor. |
| have to | external obligation | I have to submit it by Friday. |
Modals for being polite
Could, would and may make requests softer and more polite, which matters a lot at work.
- Could you send me the file?
- Would you like some tea?
- May I leave early today?
For softer hypothetical uses of would, see conditional sentences.
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What is the difference between can and could?
Can is for present ability and informal requests (I can help; can you pass it?). Could is for past ability (I could run fast as a child) and for more polite requests (could you help me?). Could is softer and more formal.
Should I say must or have to?
Must usually comes from the speaker (I must finish this, a personal push), while have to comes from an outside rule (I have to wear a uniform). In everyday speech have to is far more common than must for obligation.
Why is there no to after a modal?
Because modals are already helping verbs, so they attach straight to the base verb: she can go, you should rest. Adding to (should to rest) is one of the most common errors, and a tutor trains it out quickly.
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