Modal Verbs in English
Modal verbs are a group of verbs in English that are used in conjunction with other verbs to help express a way of doing or relating to an action (modality). Modal verbs in English show possibility, request, intention, offer, ability, necessity, obligation, advice, etc.
Below is a list of the main modal verbs:
- Modal verbs: can, could, should, may, must, will, would, may, might, shall
- Half modal verbs: dare, need, ought to
- Verbs with modal values (equivalents of modal verbs): have to, to be to
This article describes the rules you need to know to easily use modal verbs and their equivalents.
Table of modal verbs
| Modal Verb | What expresses | Present | Past | Future |
| can | be able to | can am/is/are able (to) | could was/were able (to) | – will be able (to) |
| may | have permission | may am/is/are allowed (to) | might was/were allowed (to) | – will be allowed (to) |
| must | to be due, obliged | must | – | – |
| ought (to) | should, should have | ought (to) | – | – |
| to have (to) | forced, has to | have/has (to) | had (to) | will have (to) |
| to be (to) | should (according to the plan) | am/is/are (to) | was/were (to) | – |
| shall | obliged, should | – | – | shall |
| should | should, should have | should | – | – |
| will | to wish, to intend | – | – | will |
| would | wish, probably | – | would | – |
| need | need | need | – | – |
| dare | dare | dare | dared | – |
Examples:
- You must watch this movie!
- You can’t help him
- Should I help you?
- Could you help me, please?