MODAL VERBS

Modals are special verbs which behave very irregularly in English.

What are Modal Verbs ?

Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs. They are both auxiliary (see DO, BE,
HAVE) and MODAL

Here are some important differences from normal verbs:

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. Two or more modal verbs will never stand together, in any tense:

EXAMPLES:
He will can go with us. NOT CORRECT
She musted study very hard. NOT CORRECT

Common Modal Verbs

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

IMPORTANT: For the purposes of this tutorial, we have included some expressions which are not modal verbs including
had better, have to and have got to. These expressions are closely related to modals in meaning and are often
interchanged with them.

Modal verbs come before and modify the main verb in a sentence and help explain ideas like possibility,
necessity, or obligation. Here are several modal verbs and their functions:

Might: Expresses uncertainty about the present or future, as in, "I might quit my job next month," or, "It might
be cold out, so bring a jacket."

Can: Expresses ability or possibility, as in, "I can speak French and Spanish," or, "Students can get cheaper
tickets at the movies." Also asks permission or makes a request, as in, "Can you come over tonight?"

Should: Expresses obligation, as in, "I should study for my math test," or probability, as in, "The package
should arrive tomorrow, since I sent it last week." Also gives advice, as in, "I think you should go out with
Jesse."
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Must: Expresses necessity or obligation, as in, "I must go see my grandmother this weekend." Also gives
strong advice, as in, "You must quit smoking now that you're pregnant."

Can

1. Present
You can
Modal Use 2. Past Negative Forms
also use:
3. Future
1. I can speak Chinese
1. I can't speak Swahili.
2. SHIFTS TO "COULD"
2. SHIFTS TO "COULD"
can I could speak Chinese when I was a kid.
I couldn't speak Swahili. to be able
general ability
3. SHIFTS TO "BE ABLE TO"
3. SHIFTS TO "BE ABLE TO"
I will be able to speak Chinese by the time I
I won't be able to speak Swahili.
finish my course.
1. With a burst of adrenaline, people can pick
1. People can't pick up cars.
up cars.
2. SHIFTS TO "BE ABLE TO"
2. SHIFTS TO "BE ABLE TO"
can Even the weight lifter, couldn't lift the car
With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he was
ability during a off the child's leg. to be able
able to lift the car off the child's leg.
specific event
3. SHIFTS TO "BE ABLE TO"
3. SHIFTS TO "BE ABLE TO"
Even three men working together won't be
With a sudden burst of adrenaline, he will be
able to lift the car.
able to lift the car.
1. I don't have any time. I can't help her
1. I have some free time. I can help her now.
now.
2. SHIFTS TO "BE ABLE TO"
2. SHIFTS TO "BE ABLE TO"
can I had some free time yesterday. I was able to
I didn't have time yesterday. I wasn't able to be able
opportunity help her at that time.
to help her at that time.
3. I'll have some free time tomorrow. I can
3. I won't have any time later. I can't help
help her then.
her then.
1. I can drive Susan's car when she is out of 1. I can't drive Susan's car when she is out
town. of town.

2. SHIFTS TO "BE ALLOWED" 2. SHIFTS TO "BE ALLOWED"

can
I was allowed to drive Susan's car while she I wasn't allowed to drive Susan's car while may
permission
was out of town last week. she was out of town last week.

3. I can drive Susan's car while she is out of 3. I can't drive Susan's car while she is out
town next week. of town next week.
Can I have a glass of water? Can't I have a glass of water?
can could
Can you give me a lift to school? Can't you give me a lift to school?
request may
(Requests usually refer to the near future.) (Requests usually refer to the near future.)
Anyone can become rich and famous if they It can't cost more than a dollar or two.
know the right people.
can You can't be 45! I thought you were about
possibility / Learning a language can be a real challenge. 18 years old. could
impossibility
(This use is usually a generalization or an (This use is usually a generalization or an
supposition.) supposition.)

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 Could
1. Present
You can
Modal Use 2. Past Negative Forms
also use:
3. Future
1. Mary couldn't be the one who stole the
1. John could be the one who stole the money.
money.
2. John could have been the one who stole the
could 2. Mary couldn't have been the one who stole might,
money.
possibility the money. may
3. John could be charged with the crime when
3. Mary couldn't possibly be charged with the
the police finish the investigation.
crime after the police examine the evidence.
1. If I had more time, I could travel around the 1. Even if I had more time, I couldn't travel
world. around the world.
could
2. If I had had more time, I could have traveled 2. Even if I had had more time, I couldn't have
conditional
around the world. traveled around the world.
(can, could)
3. If I had more time this winter, I could travel 3. Even if I had more time this winter, I could
around the world. travel around the world.
1. NO PRESENT FORM
could 2. You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii.
NO NEGATIVE FORMS
suggestion 3. You could spend your vacation in Hawaii.

could I could run ten miles in my twenties. I couldn't run more than a mile in my twenties.
be able to
past ability I could speak Chinese when I was a kid. I couldn't speak Swahili.
Couldn't he come with us?
Could I have something to drink?
could can,
Couldn't you help me with this for just a
polite Could borrow your stapler? may,
second?
request might
(Requests usually refer to the near future.)
(Requests usually refer to the near future.)

Had Better

You can also

Modal Use 1. Present 2. Past 3. Future Negative Forms
use:
1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO" 1. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO"
People should unplug toasters before they People shouldn't clean toasters without
clean them. unplugging them first.

had better 2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO" 2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" OR "OUGHT TO" should,
recommendation You should have unplugged the toaster You shouldn't have cleaned the toaster ought to
before you tried to clean it. without unplugging it first.

3. You had better unplug the toaster before 3. You had better not clean the toaster until
you try to clean it. you unplug it.
The movie had better end soon. They had better not be late.

had better They had better be here before we start They had better not forget Tom's birthday
desperate hope/ dinner. gift.
warning
(Desperate hopes and warnings usually refer (Desperate hopes and warnings usually
to the near future.) refer to the near future.)

"Had better" is often simply pronounced as "better" in spoken English.

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 Have to
You can
Modal Use 1. Present 2. Past 3. Future Negative Forms also
use:
1. SHIFTS TO "MUST"
1. That has to be Jerry. They said he was tall That must not have been Jerry we saw. He was
with bright red hair. supposed to have red hair.
must,
have to
2. That has to have been the right restaurant. 2. SHIFTS TO "MUST" have got
certainty
There are no other restaurants on this street. That must not have been the right restaurant. I guess to
there is another one around here somewhere.
3. NONE
3. NONE
1. She has to read four books for this literature 1. She doesn't have to read "Grapes of Wrath." It's
class. optional reading for extra credit.

have to 2. She had to finish the first book before the 2. She didn't have to write a critique of "The Scarlet
must
necessity midterm. Letter." She had to give a presentation to her class.

3. She will have to finish the other books 3. She won't have to take any other literature classes.
before the final exam. American Literature 101 is the only required course.
1. I don't have to take any tests. The course is
just for fun.
don't have
to
2. I didn't have to take the test. The teacher let
choice/
me do a report instead.
no
obligation
3. I won't have to take the test. It's going to be
for extra credit and I don't need the points.

REMEMBER: "Do not have to" vs. "Must not"

"Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something. "Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from
doing something.

Have Got to
You can
Modal Use 1. Present 2. Past 3. Future Negative Forms
also use:
1. SHIFT TO "DON'T HAVE
TO"
People don't have to be there
1. People have got to be on time if they want to get a seat in the
on time to get a seat.
crowded theater.
2. SHIFT TO "DON'T HAVE
2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
have got to TO" have to,
You had to be on time if you wanted to get a seat in the crowded
necessity You didn't have to be there on must
theater.
time to get a seat.
3. You have got to be there on time tonight if you want to get a
3. SHIFT TO "DON'T HAVE
seat in the crowded theater.
TO"
You won't have to be there on
time to get a seat.
haven't got to Haven't you got to be there by 7:00? Don't you,
have to
future
obligation

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 Haven't you got to finish that project today?

("Haven't got to" is primarily used to ask about future obligations.

It can be used in statements, but this is less common.)

May
You can
1. Present
Modal Use 2. Past Negative Forms
also
3. Future
use:
1. Jack may be upset. I can't really tell if he is
1. Jack may not be upset. Perhaps he is tired.
annoyed or tired.
2. Jack may not have been upset. Perhaps he was
may 2. Jack may have been upset. I couldn't really tell
tired. might
possibility if he was annoyed or tired.
3. Jack may not get upset, even if you tell him the
3. Jack may get upset if you don't tell him the
truth
truth.
1. You may leave the table now that you're 1. You may not leave the table. You're not finished
finished with your dinner. with your dinner yet.

2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO" 2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"

may You were allowed to leave the table after you You were not allowed to leave the table because
can
permission finished your dinner. you hadn't finished your dinner.

3. You may leave the table when you finish your 3. You may not leave the table until you are finished
dinner. with your dinner.

May I borrow your eraser.

may can,
May I make a phone call. NO NEGATIVE FORM
requests might
(Requests usually refer to the near future.)

Might
1. Present
You can also
2. Past Negative Forms
Modal Use use:
3. Future
1. She might be on the bus. I think her car is having 1. She might not be on the bus. She might
problems. be walking home.

might 2. She might have taken the bus. I'm not sure how 2. She might not have taken the bus. She could,
possibility she got to work. might have walked home. may

3. She might take the bus to get home. I don't think 3. She might not take the bus. She might
Bill will be able to give her a ride. get a ride from Bill.
might 1. If I entered the contest, I might actually win. 1. Even if I entered the contest, I might not
conditional win.
(may, might) 2. If I had entered the contest, I might actually have
won. 2. Even if I had entered the contest, I
might not have won.
3. If I entered the contest tomorrow, I might actually
win. Unfortunately, I can't enter it. 3. Even if I entered the contest tomorrow, I

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 might not win.
1. NO PRESENT FORM
1. NO PRESENT FORM
might 2. PAST FORM UNCOMMON
2. You might have tried the cheese cake. could
suggestion
3. You might not want to eat the cheese
3. You might try the cheesecake.
cake. It's very calorific.
Might I have something to drink?
might
could,
request
Might I borrow the stapler? NEGATIVE FORMS UNCOMMON may,
(British
can
form)
(Requests usually refer to the near future.)

REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not"

"Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to
happen.

Must
1. Present
You can
Modal Use 2. Past Negative Forms
also use:
3. Future
1. That must be Jerry. They said he was 1. That must not be Jerry. He is supposed to
tall with bright red hair. have red hair.

must 2. That must have been the right 2. That must not have been the right restaurant.
have to
certainty restaurant. There are no other restaurants I guess there is another one around here
on this street. somewhere.

3. NO FUTURE FORM 3. NO FUTURE FORM

You must not swim in that river. It's full of
crocodiles.

must not You must not forget to take your malaria

prohibition medication while your are in the tropics.

(Prohibition usually refer to the near

future.)
1. You must take some time off and get 1. You mustn't drink so much. It's not good for
some rest. your health.
must
strong
2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" 2. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
recommendation
You should have taken some time off last You shouldn't have drunk so much. That caused
(Americans should
week to get some rest. the accident.
prefer
the form
"should.") 3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD" 3. SHIFT TO "SHOULD"
You should take some time off next week You shouldn't drink at the party. You are going to
to get some rest. be the designated driver.
must 1. You must have a permit to enter the 1. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO" have to
necessity national park. We don't have to get a permit to enter the
(Americans national park.
prefer 2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
the form We had to have a permit to enter the park. 2. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"
"have to.") We didn't have to get a permit to enter the
3. We must get a permit to enter the park national park.
next week.
3. SHIFT TO "HAVE TO"

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 We won't have to get a permit to enter the
national park.

Ought to

You can
1. Present
Modal Use 2. Past Negative Forms
also
3. Future
use:
1. Margaret ought not exercise too much. It
1. Margaret ought to exercise more. might cause injury.

2. Margaret ought to have exercised 2. Margaret ought not have run the marathon.
ought to
more so she would be better prepared for She wasn't in good shape.
recommendation/ should
the marathon.
advisability
3. Margaret ought not stay at home in front of
3. Margaret ought to come to the fitness the TV. She should go to the fitness center with
center with us tonight. us.

1. She ought to have the package by

now.
ought to
assumption/ 2. She ought to have received the "Ought not" is used primarily to express
should
expectation/ package yesterday. negative recommendation.
probability
3. She ought to receive the package
tonight.
ought not Margaret ought not exercise too much.
(Americans prefer (Notice that there is no "to" in the
"should not".) negative form.)

Shall

You can
1. Present
Modal Use 2. Past Negative Forms
also
3. Future
use:
The marketing director shall not be
shall The marketing director shall be replaced by someone
replaced after all.
future action from the New York office. will
Fred shall not be there. He has a
(British form) Fred shall be there by 8:00.
previous obligation.
shall
I shall take care of everything for you. I shall never forget you.
volunteering/
I shall make the travel arrangements. There's no need to I shall never give up the fight for will
promising
worry. freedom.
(British form)
shall Man shall never give up the exploration
Man shall explore the distant regions of the universe.
inevitability of the universe.
We shall overcome oppression.
(British form) He shall not be held back.

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 Should

1. Present
You can
Modal Use 2. Past Negative Forms
also use:
3. Future
1. Sarah shouldn't smoke so much.
It's not good for her health.
1. People with high cholesterol should eat low fat foods.
2. Sarah shouldn't have smoked so
should much. That's what caused her
2. Frank should have eaten low fat foods. That might
recommendation health problems. ought to
have prevented his heart attack.
advisability
3. Sarah shouldn't smoke when
3. You really should start eating better.
she visits Martha next week.
Martha hates when people smoke
in her house.
I should be at work before 9:00.

We should return the video before the video rental store

closes. be
should
NO NEGATIVE FORMS supposed
obligation
("Should" can also express something between to
recommendation and obligation. "Be supposed to"
expresses a similar idea and can easily be used in the
past or in negative forms.)
1. Susan shouldn't be in New York
1. Susan should be in New York by now.
yet.
should ought to,
2. Susan should have arrived in New York last week.
assumption/ 2. Susan shouldn't have arrived in be
Let's call her and see what she is up to.
expectation/ New York until yesterday. supposed
probability to
3. Susan should be in New York by next week. Her new
3. Susan shouldn't arrive in New
job starts on Monday.
York until next week.

Will

1. Present
You can also
Modal Use 2. Past Negative Forms
use:
3. Future
The marketing director will not be
will The marketing director will be replaced by someone
replaced after all.
future action/ from the New York office. shall
Fred will not be there. He has a
prediction Fred will be there by 8:00.
previous obligation.
will
I will take care of everything for you. I will never forget you.
volunteering/
I will make the travel arrangements. There's no need to I will never give up the fight for shall
promising
worry. freedom.

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 Would

You can
Modal Use 1. Present 2. Past 3. Future Negative Forms
also
use:
1. If I were President, I would cut the cost of
1. If I were President, I would not raise taxes.
education.
2. If I had been President, I would not have
would 2. If I had been President, I would have cut the
raised taxes.
conditional cost of education.
3. If I were President, I would not sign the tax
3. If I were elected President next year, I would cut
increase next week.
the cost of education.
would I said I would help you. I said I wouldn't help you.
past of will He told me he would be here before 8:00. He told me he would not be here before 8:00.
When I was a kid, I wouldn't go into the water
would When I was a kid, I would always go to the beach.
by myself.
repetition in When he was young, he would always do his used to
When he got older, he would never do his
past homework.
homework.

Modal Forms

Simple Modal Passive Simple Modal

I could swim at the beach. The room should be cleaned once a day.

Continuous Modal Passive Continuous Modal

I could be swimming at the beach right now. The room should be being cleaned now.

Perfect Modal Passive Perfect Modal

I could have swum at the beach yesterday. The room should have been cleaned yesterday.

Perfect Continuous Modal Passive Perfect Continuous Modal

I could have been swimming at the beach instead of The room should have been being cleaned but nobody was
working in the office. there. (Rare form)