a day i will always remember essay using modal verbs

• Link to facebook
• Link to linkedin
• Link to twitter
• Link to youtube
• Writing Tips

Grammar Tips: What Are Modal Verbs?

3-minute read

• 30th June 2021

Modal verbs are a special category of verb in English. But how do they work? And how should you use them in your writing ? In this post, we explain the basics.

How Are Modal Verbs Used?

Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb . These are “helping” verbs that work alongside other verbs to help us express something. Modal verbs in English include “can,” “may,” “must,” “should,” “would,” “might,” and “will.”

Typically, we use a modal verb before another verb to express one of four things:

• Possibility or likelihood (e.g., It might rain later today ).
• Ability or capacity for something (e.g., Birds can fly ).
• Obligation (e.g., You must finish your work today ).
• Permission (e.g., She may eat another slide of cake ).

You can also form a question by switching the subject and modal verb in a sentence. Take the following example, for instance:

Statement: You can jump very high!

Question: Can you jump very high?

Here, placing the modal verb “can” before the subject “you” lets us frame the sentence as a question rather than a statement.

Strength and Formality

The best modal verb to use will often depend on two things: the strength of the claim you are making, and the level of formality you’re trying to achieve.

For example, traditionally, “may” expresses a greater degree of likelihood than “might.” As such, “It may rain” would be a stronger claim about what the weather will do than “It might rain.” But “will” is stronger than both, implying certainty.

And while we can use “may,” “could,” or “can” to ask for or grant permission, these terms imply different levels of formality. For instance:

Formal: May I ask you a question?

Less formal: Could I ask you a question?

Informal: Can I ask you a question?

This makes it important to pick your modal verbs carefully, especially in formal writing. If you’re not sure how a modal verb is used, check online.

Negative Forms of Modal Verbs

To negate a modal verb, you typically just need to add “not” after the verb:

He will not listen to you.

They should not speak to her like that.

A slight exception to this is “cannot,” which is always written as a single word:

We cannot afford a new car until next year.

In all cases, though, negating a modal verb expresses the opposite of what it usually would. For example, saying someone “cannot” do something means they’re not able or not permitted to do it (whereas “can” means they are able or permitted).

These negations can often be contracted into a single, shorter term. For example:

However, you shouldn’t use contractions in formal writing. For example, in a student essay or business document, you would want to write “cannot” in full.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

Expert Proofreading Services

Picking the right modal verb for a sentence can be tricky, especially if you speak English as an additional language. But our expert editors can help!

All you need to do is submit a free 500-word sample document today. After that, our proofreaders will make sure your writing reads smoothly and fluently.

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

How to insert a text box in a google doc.

Google Docs is a powerful collaborative tool, and mastering its features can significantly enhance your...

2-minute read

How to Cite the CDC in APA

If you’re writing about health issues, you might need to reference the Centers for Disease...

5-minute read

Six Product Description Generator Tools for Your Product Copy

Introduction If you’re involved with ecommerce, you’re likely familiar with the often painstaking process of...

What Is a Content Editor?

Are you interested in learning more about the role of a content editor and the...

4-minute read

The Benefits of Using an Online Proofreading Service

Proofreading is important to ensure your writing is clear and concise for your readers. Whether...

6 Online AI Presentation Maker Tools

Creating presentations can be time-consuming and frustrating. Trying to construct a visually appealing and informative...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

34 Grammar: Modal Verbs

What do you already know?

Read these sentences:

• She swims every day.
• She can swim every day
• She might swim every day

What is a modal verb?

What is a verb.

An verb expresses the action or state of the subject.

What does modal mean?

Modal refers to modality, or a way of doing, being, or experiencing something.

Therefore, a modal verb is a type of verb that contextually indicates a modality. That means it gives extra information depending upon the situation. It helps us to express our attitudes, obligations, and intentions. We can talk about likelihood and ability. We can give ask for permission and give advice.

Take another look

• Jorgen may use my car this weekend.
• Jorgen must use my car this weekend.
• Jorgen will use my car this weekend

How do you make a modal verb?

Modal verbs almost always accompany the base (infinitive) form of another verb using this simple formula: modal + (not) + verb. For example:

• She could sing very loudly.
• She could not sing very loudly.

What different meanings can you express with modal verbs?

Here are some common modal verbs with their meanings and examples:

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose one of these modal verbs to complete each sentence:  must, could, is supposed to, may, can, should, have to :

• You ______ use my car tonight. (permission)
• _____ you open the door? (request)
• It’s snowing, so it _____ be very cold outside. (probability)
• She ____ speak six languages. (ability)
• I need a new prescription; I _____ see a doctor right away. (necessity)
• Students _____ do their homework every day. (advice)
• The weather forecast says it ____ rain tonight. (prediction)

What makes modal verbs special?

First, modal verbs add meaning to another verb. You don’t usually use a modal verb by itself unless the main verb is implied or understood.

• Will Leo come to the party?
• Yes, he will . (the “come” is implied or understood)

Second, modal verbs do not change form for first, second, or third person.

• Leo says that he might come to the party.
• Leo and Lucas say that they might come to the party.

In the first sentence, Leo says …. he might … “Leo” requires a verb in the third person singular; in the present tense this means you add -s to the end. However, you don’t do this with modal verbs. Instead, you say “he might” (not he mights ).

Third, when you make a question, you start with the modal, just as we do with do/does, am/is/are, has/have.

• Can Leo and Lucas bring ice with them?

Finally, modal verbs are followed by the infinitive, or base form, of the other verb without the “to”.

• Leo and Lucas may to arrive late, but they said that they would to be happy to bring the ice.

What are some common ways you use modal verbs?

To be polite.

Compare these examples:

• Open the door.
• Can you open the door?
• Could you open the door?
• Could you open the door, please?
• Teacher, the quiz doesn’t work! It’s broken! Fix it!
• Teacher, the quiz might not be working correctly. It may be broken. Could you take a look at it, please? I would appreciate it very much. Thank you!

According to Macmillan American Dictionary , hedging is “the use of words and phrases that make what you are saying less certain or definite.” Why would you want to do this? Sometimes you will want to present information but leave room for it to change if you learn more details later. You want to say something, but you want to allow room for error. Hedging softens your claims. Keith Folse, a famous grammar teacher, explains it like this:

What are some common errors writers make when using modal verbs?

Here’s one ….

• The newspaper should to correct its errors in the story about the elephant.

You don’t use “to” as part of the infinitive/base form. You use this formula: conditional + (not) + infinitive/base form without the “to”.

Here’s another …

• COVID was might have been responsible for more deaths than heart disease last year.

You should hedge (use modals) when you want to be clear that we are not 100% sure, or if you wish to leave room for doubt or correction.

Here’s one more …

Modal verbs are a great way to write in the third person. By removing the I, we , and you points of view (first person and second person), it gives your writing a more formal, academic, and objective tone. Here’s an example:

• I think Portland has more immigrants than Cleveland, but I don’t know for sure.
• Portland may have more immigrants than Cleveland.

You can state information as a concise fact, but you can use a modal verb to show that you don’t know for sure.

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose a modal verb to complete each sentence. Note: Most sentences will have more than one right answer.

• __________I use your cell phone, please? I need to call my employer to say I will be late.
• You __________write an essay of at least 5 paragraphs in order to explain your idea fully.
• You __________write more than 300 words for that scholarship application. The computer won’t let you type that many words.
• John __________speak so quickly. It’s difficult to understand him.
• She __________play the piano well because she has had many years of lessons.
• Please excuse me, but I __________go now. I am tired.

INSTRUCTIONS: Use the information above to choose the best answer for each question below.

1. Rewrite the following sentence as a question. Remember to use correct capitalization and punctuation.

• Jori’s mother can cook well.

2. Put the modals in order according to strength. 1=weakest; 5=strongest

3. Plagiarism is not allowed in U.S. colleges. You ____ not do it.

A. would B. must C. might D. could

4. Which modal verb expresses advice?

A. should B. may C. would D. must

5. Which of the following sentences uses a modal verb form incorrectly?

A We returned home late last night after driving for many hours. B. There are so many clouds in the sky that I think it might rain soon. C. You must to stop your dog barking. It is too loud. D. Your coffee must be cold by now; let me give you a fresh cup.

6. Rewrite the question below as a statement. Remember to use correct capitalization and punctuation.

• Will the bus arrive at 5:35?

7. Modals are often used in academic writing to “hedge” their claims. What does “hedge” mean?

A. to protect oneself from risks, especially financial ones B. to provide a border or boundary, like a hedge in a garden C. to buy and sell shares in such a way that the risk of losing money is low D. to soften a claim, to show tentativeness, to allow room to be proved wrong

8. Which of the words below is NOT a modal verb?

A. should B. might C. can D. was

9. What is the formula for using modal verbs?

A. modal + (not) + infinitive/base form (no “to”) B. modal + (not) + to + infinitive/base form C. verb + (not) + modal + participle D. to + infinitive/base form + (not) + modal

10. A modal verb can convey more information about the main verb.

A. True B. False

Use these resources to study more about modal verbs:

Coalescence Copyright © 2023 by Timothy Krause is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

• A Beginner’s Guide to IELTS
• Common Grammar Mistakes [for IELTS Writing Candidates]

Writing Correction Service

• Free IELTS Resources
• Practice Speaking Test

Select Page

A Complete Guide to Modal Verbs

Posted by David S. Wills | Sep 22, 2023 | Grammar | 0

Have you ever wondered how to talk about possibility, obligation, or ability in English? If so, welcome to the world of modal verbs! Modal verbs are incredibly versatile and essential for expressing various tones, moods, and attitudes in English. In this guide, we will explore what modal verbs are, delve into their usage, and examine some common rules and examples.

Table of Contents

What are modal verbs, types of modal verbs, rules for using modal verbs, common mistakes.

Modal verbs are auxiliary, or “helping,” verbs that modify the main verb in a sentence to express possibility, ability, necessity, or other conditions. These include words like “can,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “shall,” “should,” “may,” “might,” and “must.”

• This shows ability.
• This is a suggestion.

Additional Examples:

• Can : She can play the piano well.
• Could : When she was younger, she could climb trees easily.

Possibility and Speculation

• May : It may rain tomorrow.
• Might : I might visit my grandparents this weekend.
• Can : Can I use your phone?
• May : May I come in?

Obligation and Necessity

• Must : You must report to the office immediately.
• Have to : I have to pick up my kids from school.

Prohibition

• Cannot/Can’t : You can’t park here.
• Mustn’t : You mustn’t smoke in this area.

Offers and Invitations

• Will : Will you have some coffee?
• Would : Would you like to join us for dinner?

Suggestions

• Shall : Shall we go for a walk?
• Should : We should take a break.
• Could : Could you please pass the salt?
• Would : Would you mind helping me with this?

Future Probability

• Will : She will probably come to the party.
• Shall : They shall succeed with enough effort.

Past Probability

• Would have : She would have succeeded if she had tried.
• Could have : He could have won the race but decided to stop and help an injured runner

These examples showcase the various contexts and conditions in which modal verbs are often used. They allow for a nuanced expression of mood, probability, ability, necessity, and more. By understanding how to use them appropriately, you can convey your ideas and attitudes much more clearly and effectively. Remember that accuracy is very important!

Possibility

• Can : Can you finish the project by tomorrow?
• Might : He might come to the party later.
• Can : Maria can speak four languages.
• Could : I could run fast when I was young.
• Must : We must complete the assignment.
• Have to : They have to take the medicine.

Request and Offers

• Will : Will you marry me?
• Would : Would you like some tea?
• May : You may find the book interesting.
• Could : They could arrive late due to traffic.
• Will be able to : She will be able to finish the project by next week.
• Would be able to : If she had more time, she would be able to complete it sooner.
• Should : You should take an umbrella; it looks like it’ll rain.
• Ought to : They ought to apologise for their behaviour.
• Can : Can you help me with my homework?
• Shall : Shall I open the window for you?

These additional examples should provide a broader understanding of the different ways modal verbs can be employed for various purposes. Whether you’re indicating possibility, showing ability, emphasising necessity, or making requests and offers, modal verbs are your go-to tool for nuanced communication.

• No Conjugation : Modal verbs do not change form based on the subject.
• Incorrect: She cans swim.
• Correct: She can swim.
• Incorrect : He wills go to the market.
• Correct : He will go to the market.
• Incorrect : They musts complete the project by tomorrow.
• Correct : They must complete the project by tomorrow.
• Incorrect : She coulds read when she was four.
• Correct : She could read when she was four.
• Incorrect : We cans see the mountains from here.
• Correct : We can see the mountains from here.

As you can see, the modal verb stays the same form irrespective of the subject, thus making it simpler than regular verbs, which often require conjugation based on the subject. (Learn more in this article on subject-verb agreement .) Understanding this rule is essential as it simplifies the process of constructing sentences.

• Double Modals Are Rare : Using two modal verbs together is generally avoided.
• Incorrect: She might can go.
• Correct: She might be able to go.
• Incorrect : They should must complete the project.
• Correct : They should complete the project. / They must complete the project.
• Incorrect : He will can join us later.
• Correct : He will be able to join us later.
• Incorrect : She may should attend the meeting.
• Correct : She may need to attend the meeting. / She should attend the meeting.
• Incorrect : We could will win the game.
• Correct : We could win the game. / We will probably win the game.
• Incorrect : I would can help you with that.
• Correct : I would be able to help you with that.

By avoiding double modals, the sentences remain clearer and easier to understand. If you feel the need to use two modal-like ideas, consider replacing one with an equivalent phrase, like “be able to,” “have to,” or “need to,” among others. This will help you maintain the clarity and grammatical integrity of your sentences.

• Always Use Base Form : Always use the base form of the main verb after a modal.
• Incorrect: He must to go.
• Correct: He must go.
• Incorrect : She can runs fast.
• Correct : She can run fast.
• Incorrect : They should eats healthily.
• Correct : They should eat healthily.
• Incorrect : We will sees you tomorrow.
• Correct : We will see you tomorrow.
• Incorrect : He might goes there.
• Correct : He might go there.
• Incorrect : She would likes some coffee.
• Correct : She would like some coffee.

As shown, the main verb that follows a modal should always be in its base form. This is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences. Ensuring you follow this rule will make your English sound more natural and accurate. It will also help you to get a better score for Grammatical Range and Accuracy .

Confusing “Should” and “Must”

• You should eat more fruits.
• You must obey the law.

“Should” for Advice or Recommendation

• Here, “should” offers a suggestion for maintaining good health.
• In this example, “should” advises more frequent contact with parents.
• “Should” here recommends contemplating alternative approaches.
• This is a suggestion aimed at a better environmental future.

“Must” for Stronger Necessity or Obligation

• “Must” indicates a firm deadline that is non-negotiable.
• Here, “must” emphasises the crucial nature of taking medication for health.
• The necessity of being punctual for the meeting is stressed by using “must.”
• This statement indicates an urgent need to act for environmental reasons.

As you can see, “should” is less forceful and is generally used for giving advice or making recommendations. In contrast, “must” implies a stronger sense of obligation or necessity. Choosing the appropriate modal verb can greatly influence the tone and meaning of your sentences.

Confusing “would” and “could”

These two modals are often confused by English learners. This is understandable because they can have slightly similar meanings. Both can be used in polite requests and both can appear in conditionals .

However, the main difference is that “could” shows possibility and “would” shows intention. For example:

• This shows the intention to do something.  
• This shows the possibility of being able to do it.

Confusing “can” and “would

These two modals are often confused. Again, it comes down to their basic function: “can” shows the ability to do something. Meanwhile, “would” has a range of uses as we can see above.

Here’s a visual lesson that I made for my social media followers:

Misplacing the Modal Verb

Sometimes, beginners struggle with placing a modal verb in a sentence.

• Incorrect: He swim can.
• Correct: He can swim.
• Incorrect: She drive should carefully.
• Here, “should” should be placed before the main verb “drive” to offer advice about driving.
• Incorrect: They must go will to college.
• “Must” should directly precede the main verb “go” to express necessity.
• Incorrect: You sing can well.
• The modal “can” should come before the main verb “sing” to indicate ability.
• Incorrect: He soon will arrive.
• “Will” should be placed right before “arrive” to denote future action.
• Incorrect: We may late be.
• The modal “may” should directly precede the main verb “be” to express possibility.

As shown, misplacing the modal verb can cause confusion and make the sentence grammatically incorrect. Ensure that the modal verb is placed right before the main verb to maintain the intended meaning and grammatical structure of the sentence.

In summary, understanding modal verbs is essential for mastering the English language. By knowing how to use them correctly, you can express a range of ideas—from possibility to obligation—clearly and efficiently.

Remember, the key is practice. The more you use them, the more natural they will become.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

Related Posts

Which or That? [IELTS Grammar Guide]

September 26, 2020

Compound Adjectives

February 20, 2023

IELTS Mistakes: The Comma Splice

June 25, 2019

Subject Complements

September 8, 2023

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Download my IELTS Books

Recent Posts

• How to Improve your IELTS Writing Score
• Past Simple vs Past Perfect
• Complex Sentences
• How to Score Band 9 [Video Lesson]
• Taxing Fast Food: Model IELTS Essay

Recent Comments

• Francisca on Adverb Clauses: A Comprehensive Guide
• Mariam on IELTS Writing Task 2: Two-Part Questions
• abdelhadi skini on Subordinating Conjunction vs Conjunctive Adverb
• David S. Wills on How to Describe Tables for IELTS Writing Task 1
• anonymous on How to Describe Tables for IELTS Writing Task 1
• Lesson Plans
• Model Essays
• TED Video Lessons
• Weekly Roundup

• Young leaders vs old leaders

Phrases and Collocations for Describing Tables, Graphs, and Charts

• Is family-owned company a good business model?
• Artificial Intelligence: Is it good or bad?
• Watching TV alone | Is it good or bad?
• Self Correction Is Good or, Bad?
• Should international news be taught at school?
• Is pressure from parents positive or negative to children?
• Does instant messaging cause the death of grammar and spelling?
• Using Idioms Effectively in the IELTS Speaking Test
• Technology and the gap between the rich and the poor
• Rural or urban areas: Which environment is better for children?
• Air Travel advances and first-class passengers
• The isolated old generation – What could be done?
• Natural beauty and Environmental benefits
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Workplace Dress Code
• Foreign workers and problems to local community
• Cost of fuel and environmental problems
• Using technology in communication
• Should everyone adopt a vegetarian diet?
• Should children do more useful activities than just reading?
• IELTS Speaking topic Shopping Part 1, 2, 3: Vocabulary & Sample Answers
• Advertisements are becoming more and more common in our everyday life. Is it a positive or negative development?
• Tips to Score High in the IELTS Reading Test
• Grammar: Prepositions
• Building sky trains to tackle traffic congestion
• People are living longer: Who should care for the old?
• How to deal with disruptive children in the class?
• Is prison the best place for criminals?
• Factors that measure a country’s success
• Equal pay for all employees: is it a good idea?

MODAL VERBS: STRUCTURE & USE

• IELTS General Writing Task 1 – Letter of complaint
• Using Contractions: Wanna, Gonna
• Are e-books causing the death of paper books?
• Should countries produce food for themselves instead of importing?
• Conquering IELTS Speaking Part 1
• At/ On/ In (Time)
• Degrees of Comparison: Definition, Examples, and How to Use Them
• Local or global environment: Which deserves more attention?
• Islip town development plans
• Will digital libraries replace all public libraries?
• Retaking Just One IELTS Skill: Is This the Solution You’ve Been Waiting For?
• Should emigration be free without restriction?
• Air travel and environmental problems
• Processed foods and ready-made meals: The pros and cons
• How to motivate people to walk more
• Should children learn a foreign language at primary schools?
• The benefits of working from home
• Linking ideas
• Educational activities in children’s free time
• The influence of technology on Art
• Should computer skills be added to the school curriculum?
• IELTS Speaking Part 1+2: JOB
• Police on the streets and Crime rate
• Tax exemption for families with children in private schools
• Should juvenile criminals receive adult punishment?
• The people going to cinemas in Europe
• Should governments support local films?
• Debate : Are zoos good or bad for animals?
• Can people make true friendships online?
• IELTS One Skill Retake: a faster way to achieve your desired IELTS score
• Robots as household chores helpers: Is this a positive development?
• Retaking driving test: Pros and cons
• Are the arts a waste of money?
• Steps for Solving TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN Questions in IELTS Reading
• Should criminal trials be shown on television?
• Should maths and philosophy be optional?
• Scientists and tourists travel to remote natural environments
• Revealing the secrets to mastering Multiple-choice questions in IELTS Reading for a perfect score.
• Are video games really bad?
• Should we ban public phone calls?
• TOP TEN Grammar Rules for IELTS Writing: Essential Tips for Candidates
• Studying abroad and benefits for the home country
• IELTS Grammar: Relative clauses
• Is physical activity at school the best solution to childhood obesity?
• National defence or social benefits?
• Lack of soft skills – Causes and effects
• Women are under-represented in Science – The Solutions
• Should tourism be banned?
• Sample IELTS Writing Task 1 Line Graph
• IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample: Volunteer
• Will supermarkets bring local business to closure?
• Solutions to smoking addiction
• Community service or imprisonment?
• Consumer expenditure in five countries
• Are advertisements losing their influence?
• Young people and farming careers
• Rental house – Advantages and disadvantages
• Is Speaking more powerful than Writing?
• Fast food consumption in the UK
• Should doctors be responsible for educating patients?
• Scared of IELTS? How to overcome your fear
• Understanding Brainstorming: A Practical Guide for IELTS
• Children’s junk food consumption: schools or parents’ responsibility?
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT | IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample
• Simple Past Tense – Definition, Structure, Rules, Uses and Examples
• Do computers make language learning unnecessary?
• Why Technology Can Set You Apart as an IELTS Learner
• Traditional medicines vs healthy lifestyle: Which is the better approach?
• Should fast foods be banned completely?
• Old buildings in cities: pros and cons
• Topic: BIRTHDAY | IELTS Speaking Part 1 Sample
• Should children learn national or international history?
• Neighbours in cities: Problems and Solutions
• Families with househusband and working wife
• The value of music
• Why is university study becoming more competitive?
• Salary limit – Should it be implemented?
• Income disparity between celebrities and senior politicians
• IELTS Speaking Part 1: Cooking
• Old people and modern technologies
• Using credit cards: Benefits and drawbacks
• Essay King Write – The game-changing Website for your IELTS Writing preparation
• Buying online products – The benefits and drawbacks
• The media and youth crime
• House prices
• 12 Tricky English Words Demystified
• The IELTS learning path from 0 to 7.5 for all levels
• Have and have got
• Personal information on the Internet
• The search for extraterrestrial life
• Essay King Version 2.0 on iOS is released!
• Should schools be mixed-gender or single-sex?
• IELTS Speaking Part 2: An Experience
• Global warming vs Deforestation
• IELTS Writing Task 2-Topic: Music
• How to increase companies’ staff productivity
• Couples without children
• Should private vehicles be banned in city centres?
• English vocabulary about Love & Valentine’s Day
• Are women no longer dependent on marriage?
• How to better memorise IELTS Vocabulary – The 2-step technique

Effective Strategies for the IELTS Reading ‘Choosing a Title’ Question

• Have something done
• A demographic analysis of Australian population
• Word Order in English: A Crucial Element for IELTS Success
• IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Describe a talk you gave to a group of people
• IELTS VOCABULARY: SPORTS
• Social responsibilities of businesses
• Climate change: Should we keep trying to prevent it?
• Grammar: Present Simple
• Stone Age cutting tools
• IELTS Listening Test Structure and Tips to Help You Prepare Effectively
• Should the government or other organizations fund the arts?
• Solutions to recidivism
• Problems caused by urbanisation and solutions
• Exercise time for employees: What is your opinion?
• Should laws on waste recycling be imposed?
• Should ex-prisoners talk to teenagers?
• Is GM food a viable solution to global food supply
• Online advice vs. doctors
• How To Get Ideas For An IELTS Essay?
• Are celebrities nowadays bad examples to young people?
• Egalitarianism and personal success
• The life cycle of salmon
• Transitional Phrases in IELTS Writing: A Key to Cohesive Essays
• IELTS Speaking Part 2+3: Describe a person you know who is from a different cultural background
• Fast foods – Benefits and drawbacks
• Prevention is better than cure
• Job changing: Causes and Solutions
• Should children receive homework everyday?
• IELTS Speaking Part 1: Sample and Vocabulary for the Topic Tea or Coffee
• Activities for teenagers
• Newspaper vs online news
• Verb + verb patterns
• COLLOCATIONS FOR IELTS: TO GET BAND 7+ SCORE
• Parents and the pressure on their children’s school performance
• Why do some people fail in school but succeed in life?
• Children’s early Internet access: Problems and Solutions
• Describe an apartment or a house that you would like to live in
• The importance of early reading to children’s development
• Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 On The Topic: Young People
• IELTS Vocabulary: News and Media
• Vertical vs. Horizontal cities
• IELTS Speaking Part 1: Gifts
• Grammar: Reported speech
• How to master critical thinking for top scores in the IELTS exam!
• Academic vs Non-Academic subjects
• Likelihood based on conditions (Part 2)
• Is paying tax the only duty of a citizen?
• How to achieve work-life balance
• Should we ban dangerous sports?
• Should CEOs receive much higher salaries?
• IELTS Writing Task 2-Topic: Unmarried Status
• The two functions of museums
• Languages spoken in Australia
• Parent-child interaction time
• Can technology lead to family breakdown?
• Corporate sponsorship: Is it good or bad?

Essay King is a team of experienced IELTS tutors and developers. We develop applications and websites that help students learn better and improve their IELTS results. Currently, we focus on products that enhance students' writing skills.

Book - Reading

Business - Money

Communication

Contact Info

• by EssayKing-Jennifer
• 4 minutes read

Modal verbs are a fundamental component of the English language. They play a crucial role in expressing various shades of meaning and are essential for achieving a high level of proficiency in English. In this blog post, we will delve into the structure and use of modal verbs to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of their significance.

Table of Contents

What Are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs, often referred to as modal auxiliary verbs, are a unique set of verbs used to express possibility, necessity, obligation, ability, permission, and requests. They add depth and nuance to the meaning of a sentence and are vital in academic and formal writing. The primary modal verbs in English are:

• Can : Used to express ability or permission.
• Could : Often used for polite requests and to express past ability.
• May : Indicates permission, possibility, or a polite request.
• Might : Suggests a lower probability than “may.”
• Shall : Typically used for offers, suggestions, or in formal language.
• Should : Indicates obligation, necessity, or a recommendation.
• Will : Often used for future actions or predictions.
• Would : Commonly used for polite requests, offers, and hypothetical situations.
• Must : Signifies necessity or strong obligation.
• Ought to : Expresses a strong recommendation or moral duty.

Structure of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs have a distinct structure when used in sentences:

• Modal Verb : This is the first word in a modal verb construction, for example, “can,” “may,” or “must.”
• Base Form of the Verb : After the modal verb, we use the base form of the main verb, which is the infinitive form of the verb without “to.” For instance, “I can swim,” “She may go,” “He must study.”
• Negation : Modal verbs are negated by adding “not” after them, for example, “cannot” for “can,” “may not” for “may,” and so on.
• Questions : When forming questions, modal verbs are typically placed at the beginning of the sentence. For instance, “Can you help me?” or “May I come in?”

Usage of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are versatile and are used to convey various meanings and nuances in different contexts.

1. Can / Could

• She can play the piano.
• You can go to the party.
• She could swim when she was five.
• Could you please pass the salt?

2. May / Might

• You may leave the room.
• It may rain later.
• It might not be as difficult as you think.
• Might I suggest an alternative?

3. Shall / Should

• Shall we go for a walk?
• I shall help you with your luggage.
• You should study for the test.
• We should be more considerate of others.

4. Will / Would

• He will arrive at 3 PM.
• I will call you later.
• When he was young, he would visit the park every day.
• Would you kindly pass me the menu?

5. Must / Ought to

• You must submit your assignment by Friday.
• She must be at the airport by 9 AM.
• You ought to eat more fruits and vegetables.
• We ought to be more punctual.

Common Mistakes with Modal Verbs

• Using the Wrong Modal Verb

One common mistake is using the wrong modal verb in a particular context. For instance, “will” should not be used to express possibility; “may” or “might” is more appropriate.

• Omitting the Main Verb

Sometimes, people forget to include the main verb after a modal verb, resulting in incomplete sentences. For example, instead of saying, “He can swim,” someone might mistakenly say, “He can.”

• Using Double Modals

In English, it is incorrect to use two modal verbs together. Avoid expressions like “should can” or “will must.”

• Negating the Modal Verb Incorrectly

Negating modal verbs requires the word “not” to be placed after the modal verb, not before it. For example, it’s incorrect to say, “Not can I come?” Instead, say, “Can I not come?”

In conclusion, modal verbs are a crucial aspect of the English language, particularly for IELTS candidates. Understanding their structure and usage can greatly improve your proficiency in English and help you excel in the exam. Practice using these modal verbs in various contexts to become more confident in your language skills. Remember that mastering modal verbs is a significant step toward achieving fluency and success in your English language journey. Good luck with your studies!

Try Essay King AI Essay Correction service and a world of Premium IELTS Material Explore the All-In-One solution for your IELTS Writing today!

Share This Post:

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Post

MUST, MUSTN’T, NEEDN’T

Word Order in English: A Crucial Element for IELTS

• Features for Creative Writers
• Features for Work
• Features for Higher Education
• Features for Teachers
• Features for Non-Native Speakers
• Learn Blog Grammar Guide Community Events FAQ
• Grammar Guide

Modal Verbs: What Are They?

Dan Schriever

What Are Modal Verbs?

What do modal verbs do in a sentence, what are the 9 modal verbs, what are the rules of modal verbs, how do i use modal verbs in a sentence.

Modal verbs are special verbs that express necessity or possibility. They are helper verbs that give additional information about the main verb.

Modal verbs are also known as modals , modal auxiliaries , or modal auxiliary verbs . Even though those sound more complicated, don’t worry—they’re just the same as modal verbs .

Modal verbs can be tricky because they have many rules and uses.

Never fear! In this article we’ll cover the nine modal verbs and how to use them. We’ll explain their special rules and provide some examples for you to practice with.

We’ll also talk about semi-modals (or modal phrases ), which function similarly but have different grammar rules.

If that sounds like a lot, don’t worry. Modal verbs are very common. It’s likely that you know them well already, even if you didn’t know they were called “modal verbs.” Before long, you’ll be a master of all things modal.

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of a modal verb is:

“A verb (such as can , could , shall , should , ought to , will , or would ) that is usually used with another verb to express ideas such as possibility, necessity, and permission.”

Modals are helper verbs, meaning that they help other verbs by expressing modality . That’s a fancy way of saying that modals express conditions.

They help the main verb to convey ideas like certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, prohibition, necessity, advice, or ability.

There are nine modal verbs in English. These are:

To this list we can add the semi-modals or modal phrases like ought to , have to , need to , and be able to .

These behave similarly to modal verbs and you can think of them as part of the same list, but they have slightly different grammatical rules.

Modal verbs are unlike other verbs and have different grammar rules. Let’s review the special characteristics of modal verbs.

Rule 1: Modal verbs agree with any subject

Verbs are doing words—they denote an action, like reading, walking, or dancing.

Usually, when different people complete an action, the way we spell the verb for that action changes:

• I/You/We/They dance
• He/she/It dance s

See how we added the s for he, she, and it?

Unlike normal verbs, modals never change their form (spelling) depending on who is completing the action .

Any subject (person/thing completing an action) in any sentence takes the modal verb in the same way (“I can ,” “she can ,” “we can ,” and so on), with no need to add “s” for he, she, or it (he/she/it can ).

Rule 2: Modal verbs have no infinitive form

This just means you cannot say “to may” or “to could”; these forms simply don’t exist in English.

Rule 3: Modal verbs do not have participle forms

Again, this sounds more complicated than it is. You never add endings like “-ed,” “-ing,” or similar to a modal verb—“coulded” or “shoulding” just sound weird, right?

Modals keep it simple; they will always appear exactly as written in the above list.

Rule 4: Modal verbs are followed directly by the bare infinitive (an infinitive without “to”)

For example:

• I could hear the dog barking (NOT I “could to hear” the dog barking), or
• You should tell the truth (NOT You “should to tell” the truth)

Hear and tell are the infinitives in these sentences.

Rule 5: Modal verbs form questions by inversion

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs and form questions by inversion. This means you do not need to add an additional modal verb when forming negatives or questions.

For example, to change the sentence “I must go” into a question, you can just move the modal must to the beginning of the sentence:

• Must I go? (NOT “Should I must go?”)

Similarly, to change “He should smoke” into a negative, we simply add “not”:

• He should not smoke (NOT “He must not should smoke”)

Modal verbs allow speakers to express a wide range of conditions like certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability, permission, prohibition, advice, or probability.

Let’s take a look at some examples and see each of the modal verbs in action.

When and How Do I Use Can , Could , and Be Able To in a Sentence?

Can , could , and be able to are used to express a variety of ideas.

These include:

• the ability to do something (or lack thereof)
• the possibility or impossibility of doing something
• asking or giving permission
• making a suggestion

Let’s look at a few examples of each.

Modal verbs explain whether or not someone can do something. For instance:

• Naila can recite poetry by heart.

In this sentence, the modal verb phrase can recite tells us that Naila has the ability to memorize and recite poems. (Go, Naila!)

The specific modal verb phrase you use will depend on which specific modal verb you’re using and what tense you’re writing in. For example:

• I can help you move today.
• I will be able to help you move today.

In the first sentence, the word can is accompanied by the verb help because the word can doesn’t require the assistance of to .

In the second sentence, the phrase be able to is necessary to help the sentence make sense.

Note: you can also use those phrases interchangeably. It’s often simpler and more effective to say can rather than to be able to .

Here are some more examples of modal verbs used in this way:

• I can help you with your homework tonight.
• We can’t come to dinner.
• The computer can solve complex problems easily.
• A representative will be able to speak with you in about ten minutes.
• Grandma won’t be able to join us this weekend.
• When they were young they could move mountains.
• The local branch was able to increase sales by 12%.
• I haven’t been able to reach them by phone yet.

Possibility

You can use can or could to say whether something is possible.

• You can call this number any time before 10pm.

In this sentence, the phrase can call means that it is possible to call the number so long as it is before 10pm. If the time is after 10pm, your call will not go through. Better check your watch!

The phrase you use will depend on which modal verb you’re using and what tense you’re writing in. For example:

• You could watch the game on the big screen.

Here, we use could to suggest that this is one possible option of several.

Here are some more examples of using can and could to say if something is possible in a sentence:

• I can’t believe what I’m hearing!
• Yes, you could take a trip to Sacramento this weekend as you have vacation time left.
• He couldn’t understand it if he tried.

You can also use modal verbs to ask for something, or to give or deny someone permission to do something.

• Can you help me with this?

This question is asking for a response that will also use a modal verb ( Yes, I can or No, I can’t ).

Could also works in the same way here:

• Could you help with this?
• Could I borrow a pencil please?

When we answer these questions, can and could are used to give permission, and can’t and couldn’t are used to deny it, like this:

• I can’t help with that, you have to do your homework on your own.
• Yes, you could borrow a pencil.

In the first sentence, the speaker doesn’t have permission to help the asker. They’re trying to cheat!

Suggestions

You can use the modal verb could to suggest things someone is able to do out of a range of options.

• You could take the express bus.

In this sentence, the phrase could take not only means that it is possible to take the express bus, but that it might be a useful or good thing for someone to do.

Review Exercise: Can , Could , Be Able To

Download the review exercise for can , could , and be able to here.

When and How Do I Use May and Might in a Sentence?

May and might are used to express a variety of ideas, from prohibitions, expressions of possibility or impossibility, and making polite suggestions.

In many cases, you can use may in the same way as can . What’s the difference? May is often considered more polite.

If you’re speaking to someone in a formal context, you’ll often use may instead of can to ask for or give permission, like this:

• You may begin the exam now.
• May I address you as Doctor P?
• No, you may not !

You can also use may to make a polite request :

• May I take your order?

Note that you could also use can here ( Can I take your order? ). The only difference is that may is considered more polite.

Like may , might can be used to indicate possibility. Both words work in the same way in the examples below:

• We may go to the movies after dinner.
• You might want to write this part down.
• Ali may not get a dog after all.
• It might not rain tonight.

In these examples, the events are possible but not certain.

May / might is also used to make a suggestion when there is no better alternative:

• You may as well try it. What have you got to lose?
• We might as well stay home . All the shops are closed now.

You can see that we usually use the phrases may as well and might as well here. This just means that you may as well try it as not —the result will probably be the same either way.

And finally, if you want to make a polite suggestion, you can use might . This is normally when you want to offer your opinion, but you don’t want to force someone to do something.

• You might like to try the daily special. It’s delicious!

Review Exercise: May / Might

Download the review exercise for may and might here.

When and How Do I Use Shall , Should , and Ought To in a Sentence?

Shall and should have a range of subtle uses, from making polite suggestions to giving or asking for advice.

Grammar note: Be careful when choosing between the modal verb should and the word ought , because they have the same meaning but different grammar.

Ought is always followed by a to-infinitive:

You ought to know that by now.

They ought to have insisted on some compensation.

If you don’t have the time to learn the millions of grammar rules out there, or if you just want to double-check your work, ProWritingAid’s Realtime Report can help.

It will highlight grammatical issues such as dropping the 'to infinitive' to make sure that you can get your point across as clearly as possible.

Download our browser extension to see grammar suggestions wherever you write.

Something that is special to will and shall is that they can form the future tense. Shall is less popular now in American English, but it is still used in British English.

So the sentences “he will win the competition” and “he shall win the competition” are mostly equivalent, but shall is more formal in some contexts.

We’ll look at the rules for will soon. First, let’s see some examples of different ways to use shall , should , and ought to .

When Do I Use Shall in a Sentence?

Use shall to ask someone if they would like to do something, or if they would like you to do something, like this:

• Shall we dance?
• Shall we go for a walk?
• Shall I make us a cup of tea?

Note: Shall is only used with I or we . If you want to talk about a third person, you’ll need to use should or ought to .

Uncertainty

You can use should to ask what the right thing to do is in a situation. For example, if your taxi has arrived but you’re running late, you might ask a friend:

• Should I tell the driver to wait for us?

Here are some more examples:

• Should I stay home with him if he’s sick?
• What should Mariella do with the extra party food?
• Who should I ask about the application?

Predictions

If you’re pretty certain about something but you still have some doubts, you can say that it should happen:

• If we follow the instructions carefully, we should be able to build this bookcase properly.

In this example, you expect the instructions that come with your furniture to allow you to build it.

But as anyone who has tried to put together a flatpack bookcase knows, that isn’t always the case. Still, there should be a good end result.

• The recipe should be easy enough to follow.
• He shouldn’t be too hard to spot in a crowd. He’s very tall.

Here, we’re suggesting what the right thing is to do. Whether the person we’re talking to follows our advice or not is another matter:

• You should do your research before making a big investment.
• You ought to make a reservation soon.
• You shouldn’t say things like that. It’s not polite!

Exercise: Shall , Should , Ought To

Download the review exercise for shall , should , and ought to here.

When and How Do I Use Must , Have To , and Need To ?

We use the modal verb must to say if something is necessary or not, or persuade or forbid actions. Have to and need to work in the same way.

Unlike should , with must , have to , and need to we are saying that the recommendation we’re giving isn’t optional.

• You must be this tall to ride the rollercoaster.
• Noel has to leave at 5pm.
• I need to take a closer look at the problem.
• My computer crashed. I had to redo all of my work!
• She needed to speak to him, but she couldn’t find him anywhere.

Note: Unlike have to and need to , must doesn’t work in the past tense.

You can also use have to and need to to say when something isn’t necessary:

• Modal verbs don’t have to be difficult. These simple rules can help!
• It doesn’t have to make sense to us. It’s not our business.
• Hans didn’t have to come back . He did it to save his friends.
• You needn’t bother . I’ll take care of it myself.

Prohibition

This is similar to the examples above, except when you’re forbidding something you’ll usually use must :

• They must not swim in the forbidden pool.
• You mustn’t judge us too harshly. We’re doing the best we can.

Note: Mustn’t = must not.

We’ve all been completely tired out after travel before. If you met someone who had just got home from a road trip, you might say:

• You’ve been on the road all day. You must be exhausted.

Here, we use must to state something we think is true.

• You must have heard of her, she’s the most popular actress in the world!
• The dog is sick. He must have eaten too much grass.

In these cases, the thing you’re trying to persuade someone to do isn’t necessary—just something you really want to happen:

• You simply must try the coconut shrimp. It’s sublime!
• You have to visit us again before you leave town.

Review Exercise: Must , Have To , Need To

Download the review exercise for must , have to , and need to here.

When and How Do I Use Will and Would ?

Will and would have various uses. Will can form the basic future tense, similar to shall . They are used in conditional if this happens, then that will happen statements.

Will and would can also make polite requests or statements, or talk about habits or things we usually do, or usually did in the past.

If you want to say if something is or isn’t going to happen in the future, use will (or will not / won’t ).

• We will go to the lake on Saturday.
• Only time will tell .
• The gymnast will not be happy with that score from the judges.
• I will teach you that next lesson.

In questions and statements with will and would , the asker is making sure that something is true or is not true.

In most cases, this is just a polite way of telling someone to do something, or saying that you are going to do something. For example:

• Would you lock the door if you’re the last to leave?

Here, the speaker is telling the person to lock the door if they are the last to leave. It would also be correct to say Can you lock the door if you’re the last to leave? . Using would suggests that the answerer has a choice, making it feel less direct or bossy.

• Next time, will you please ask me first before doing that?
• I would like to make a toast to the bride and groom.

You can also use would or will to check if things would be true in certain circumstances. You’ll normally see if in these sentences:

• Would you be angry if I took your last French fry?

In this sentence, the asker is asking if the specific action of taking the French fry would make someone angry. (If that someone was me, the answer would be Yes! )

• If you go to the store, will you buy me some chips?
• Would you still go to the party if Poppy wasn’t going to be there?

Past Habits

If you want to say something happened in the past, you can just use the past tense:

• When I was younger, I stayed up all night one Christmas Eve.

But when you want to describe something that happened routinely or a habit you or someone else had in the past, use would .

• When I was younger, I would always stay up all night on Christmas Eve.

Here, we’re suggesting that this past behaviour happened every year—not just once. Here are some more examples:

• When he was a young warthog, he would spend hours looking for grubs to eat.
• Before starting my novel, I wouldn’t touch wine. Now, I drink a glass every day.

Review Exercise: Will , Would

Download the review exercise for will and would here.

In Conclusion: The Many Modes of Modals

Whew! That’s a lot of modal verbs. One thing at least should be clear: these verbs are very powerful, and you should learn how to use them.

If you can complete the exercises, you’ll be well on your way toward mastering these tricky verbs.

Take your writing to the next level:

20 Editing Tips from Professional Writers

Whether you are writing a novel, essay, article, or email, good writing is an essential part of communicating your ideas., this guide contains the 20 most important writing tips and techniques from a wide range of professional writers..

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Dan holds a PhD from Yale University and CEO of @FaithlessMTG.

Get started with ProWritingAid

Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via :

404 Not found

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

5.6 Modal Auxiliaries

Learning objectives.

• Define and identify modal auxiliaries.
• Learn how and when to use modal auxiliaries.

We all need to express our moods and emotions, both in writing and in our everyday life. We do this by using modal auxiliaries .

Modal Auxiliaries

Modal auxiliaries are a type of helping verb that are used only with a main verb to help express its mood.

The following is the basic formula for using a modal auxiliary:

There are ten main modal auxiliaries in English.

Table 5.11 Modal Auxiliaries

Use the following format to form a yes-no question with a modal auxiliary:

Be aware of these four common errors when using modal auxiliaries:

Using an infinitive instead of a base verb after a modal

Incorrect: I can to move this heavy table.

Correct: I can move this heavy table.

Using a gerund instead of an infinitive or a base verb after a modal

Incorrect: I could moving to the United States.

Correct: I could move to the United States.

Using two modals in a row

Incorrect: I should must renew my passport.

Correct: I must renew my passport.

Correct : I should renew my passport.

Leaving out a modal

Incorrect: I renew my passport.

Edit the following paragraph by correcting the common modal auxiliary errors.

Modals and Present Perfect Verbs

In the previous section, we defined present perfect verb tense as describing a continuing situation or something that has just happened.

Remember, when a sentence contains a modal auxiliary before the verb, the helping verb is always have .

Be aware of the following common errors when using modal auxiliaries in the present perfect tense:

Using had instead of have

Incorrect: Jamie would had attended the party, but he was sick.

Correct: Jamie would have attended the party, but he was sick.

Leaving out have

Incorrect: Jamie would attended the party, but he was sick.

On a separate sheet of paper, complete the following sentences by changing the given verb form to a modal auxiliary in present perfect tense.

• The man ________ (laugh).
• The frogs ________ (croak).
• My writing teacher ________ (smile).
• The audience ________ (cheer) all night.
• My best friend ________ (giggled).

Key Takeaways

The basic formula for using a modal auxiliary is

• There are ten main modal auxiliaries in English: can , could , may , might , shall , should , will , would , must , and ought to .
• The four common types of errors when using modals include the following: using an infinitive instead of a base verb after a modal, using a gerund instead of an infinitive or a base verb after a modal, using two modals in a row, and leaving out a modal.
• In the present perfect tense, when a sentence has a modal auxiliary before the verb, the helping verb is always have .
• The two common errors when using modals in the present perfect tense include using had instead of have and leaving out have .

Writing Application

On a separate sheet of paper, write ten original sentences using modal auxiliaries.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Learn English

• Open Your World

Three Rules to Follow to Avoid Common Mistakes with Modals

Are you confused about modals?   Are you interested in learning how to use can, could, may, might, should, ought, must, have to, shall, will, or would ?

Today we will talk about how to use modal verbs properly. Many English learners make mistakes about the use of these special helping verbs . We will also study how to avoid these common mistakes. I know that the word modal verb doesn’t sound too exciting. But when you see what they are, you’d understand that we use these verbs all the time.

What are modals?

Modals are special verbs that behave irregularly in English.   They are also known as modal auxiliaries or modal auxiliary verbs . They are different from normal verbs like eat, drink, visit, laugh, jump, dance, follow , etc. They give additional information about the function of the main verb that comes after it. These are verbs that express different kinds of things. When you use them, they express certainty, ability, willingness, necessity, permission, obligation, and possibility . Since they behave differently from regular verbs, they are a little confusing.

Modal verbs that are most commonly used in everyday conversations or writing are   “can”, “could”, “may”, “might”, “should”, “ought to”, “must”, “have to”, “will”, “shall”, and “would”.

Three basic rules to follow

So, here are the three basic rules to follow to avoid the common mistakes that are made with the modal verbs.

1.  Use the modal verb as is.

Don’t change its form and turn it into the present, future, or past forms. Don’t add anything to it. You can’t add s, ed, or ing .

Here’s the correct sentence:

• “ Joan can swim .”

Not correct:  

• “ Joan can s swim .”
• “He might s go to sleep .”
• “ She will s go to Spain next month .”

We should not change that modal verb ever. Leave it as it is.

2.  Use the base form of the verb after a modal.

Don’t use “to” or the full infinitive verb “to”.

• “ Clara might join them .”

Not correct:

• “ Clara might to join them .”
• “ You must to finish your dinner .”
• “ You should not to smoke .”
• “ They can to stay with us this summer .”
• “ We would not to arrive in time for his speech .”

This is quite a common error, so be careful about the “to” there. Make sure not use the full infinitive form “to join” after the word might, will, should, may, or can. Just use the base form of the verb, which is “join”. You can say any of these correct sentences:

• Clara could join us.
• Clara might join us.
• Clara must join us.
• Clara should join us.
• They can stay.
• They can come.
• They can leave.

Just take note, no “to” after the modal.

3.  If you need to use modals in the negative form, then use only “not” AFTER the modal verb .

Don’t add any extra words anymore. So, don’t use words like “isn’t”, “doesn’t”, “don’t”, “won’t”, “wasn’t”, “aren’t”.

For example:  

• “You should not drink too much.”
• “You don’t should drink too much.”
•   “ I don’t can swim.”
• “We don’t could call him.”

Notice in the correct sentence that “not” came after “should”.

You may have learned in other grammar lessons the words, such as “wasn’t”, “isn’t”, “don’t”, “aren’t”. And you’re probably excited about using them in your sentences. But using them with modals is wrong.

Remember though that there is one exception. It’s with the modal verb “have to” . If you use this in the negative form, you need to say, “You do not have to go there.”   Here, you put “not” in the middle of “have to”. But with the other modals, you only say “You could not”, “You might not”, “You ought not”, “You shall not”, and so on. You can see that “not” always comes after the modal verb.

Other examples of “have to” in the negative form:

• “ They don’t (do not have) have to bring all those bags.”
• “I don’t have to see it to believe it.”
• “We don’t have to bring umbrellas today.”
• “You don’t have to watch that movie.”

Another thing to remember is when you use “not” with “can” to express a negative statement, you always put them together. They actually become one word: “cannot”, and not “can not”. This is the only time you join a modal verb with “not” into one. But with the other modals, “not” is always a separate word.

For example:

• “She cannot come to the wedding.”

Not correct:  Using modals with “not” this way is wrong

• ”She maynot come to the wedding.”  
• “She willnot come to the wedding.”

So other than “cannot”, the other modals should not be joined with “not” into one word.

• “She may not come to the wedding.”
• “She will not come to the wedding.”

This time, let’s go over the common everyday modals and look at some examples. Here, we will see the communicative functions of these special verbs.

• CAN shows ability: Beth can dance very well.
• CAN shows permission: Can I use your car?
• CAN shows possibility: Driving in heavy rain can cause an accident.
• COULD expresses possibility: The roof could collapse if they don’t do repairs.
• MAY expresses permission: May I borrow your umbrella?
• MIGHT conveys possibility: I might move to Vietnam next year.
• SHOULD is used for giving advice: You should revise the intro to your essay.
• OUGHT TO is used to offer logical conclusion: After driving all day, you ought to be tired.
• MUST expresses strong obligation: You must be at the train station at 3PM   to meet the guests.
• HAVE TO expresses strong obligation: You have to come on time if you don’t want to miss the bus.
• WILL is used to state a promise: I will stop eating sugary and salty foods.
• SHALL expresses suggestion as used in the first person: Shall I pour you a cup of green tea?
• WOULD shows habits in the past: He would visit his mom every Friday before she died.
• WOULD is used for a polite request: Would you close the windows, please?

Modals may be overwhelming and difficult to remember at first, but the more you practice the more you’re going to use them properly. Try to observe English sentences in books you read, radio programs, TV shows, or English native speakers talking, you can actually see that modal verbs are used all the time .

The more you’re exposed to the English language, the easier it will be for you to use modals naturally in your conversations .

• Intermediate

Related Articles

12 sports-related idioms to use in everyday conversations, homographs: 14 words that are spelled the same but have different meanings, 12 smart useful phrases to talk about a sense of direction, 12 time-related idioms you can use in daily conversation, start learning english online at affordable prices..

Try two classes for free, no credit card is required.

Sanvi Atul Sharma

Modern high school for girls, a day i will always remember| essay|.

Here is a soothing essay by 9 year old Sanvi from Kolkata, of a balmy day at the sea that she will never forget. After having read all that she experienced, I agree – It surely sounds like a day to remember.

• July 22, 2020

It was a calm, windy day in the ocean. At eight in the morning, my dad and I decided to go to the ocean early for a dip and so we were there.

My family and I were on a boat, which was undulating continuously in the middle of the ocean. As the boat moved farther into the ocean, I heard the  seagull’s irritating voice nearby, but that day nothing could spoil my mood. I bent down to observe the ocean, which was as serene as ever.  I saw corals, sea grass and sea anemone with clownfish and stingrays. It was a  lovely sight. After a while I wanted to swim, so I wore my swimsuit and  swimming gear and dived.

I felt the balmy turquoise water all around me. All of a sudden, I felt something  nudge me. I shuddered and thought, “What if these are sharks!” as I turned around to look, I saw a baby dolphin squeaking and it’s mother behind it. My  face lit up at the sight of them. As I had never been so close to a dolphin before. A few moments later, the dolphins let out another squeak, which to me felt like goodbye because after that, they went away.

I swam a lot more and saw clams and oysters, even sea urchins. At last, I came up to the surface and clambered into the boat. I noticed that the tranquil blue sky had turned into a dark orange. The waves became choppy and puffins were flying back to their homes. After having one last look at the ocean, we set off for the shore.

We had quite an undisturbed day and I really enjoyed because all was so quiet and peaceful. That was a day, I will always remember.

• ocean , oysters , sharks , stingrays

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Stories

Ocean I Poem by Sneha Gunjan Javia ,13, Rajkot

The Mysterious Ocean | Poem by Aarna, 11, Gurgaon

Star Gazing And Ocean Swimming – List Of Things I Love | Hiyan,9, Bangalore

Featured products.

Namaste Yatri: The Fascinating World of Indian Railways

Aachi Thatha Series- Childrens Books Celebrating Grandparents

Understanding Traditions With Aachi Thatha | Children’s Book

Bookosmia – India’s No. 1 Publisher For Kids, By Kids from 150+ locations worldwide.

Bookosmia is a safe and preferred destination for kids whether it is to read, listen, write or watch their favourite stories.

Quick Links

• Bookosmians
• Shop/ Learn

Not That Different

• Comic Story
• Know Autism Better
• Parents Speak
• Inclusion Stories FEST '23
• Down Syndrome Awareness 2023
• Get Published
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Shipping, Cancellation and Refund Policy
• Our Partners
• Designed by Raei Technologies .

India’s #1 Creative Platform FOR Kids BY Kids

100+ Modal Verb Will Sentences

Modal verb will sentences.

The modal verb “will” is used to express future events or actions. It can also be used to express promises, requests, and predictions.

Here are 100+ sentences using the modal verb “will”:

• He will volunteer his time.
• They will honor the agreement.
• It will be our secret.
• They will provide you with assistance.
• They will be there early.
• Will you lend me a hand?
• Will you have a meeting tomorrow?
• He will keep his word.
• She will never let you down.
• Will you give me a hand?
• Will he send me the report?
• She will pledge to always be there for you.
• She will cover your shift.
• She will give it a try.
• They will order dessert.
• It will be a surprise.
• They will support the cause.
• You will receive your gift.
• We will assure you of our unwavering support.
• I will always be there for you.
• It will rain tomorrow.
• They will graduate next year.
• He will explore the park.
• Will she kindly provide her insights?
• You will make a difference.
• He will call you later.
• Will we discuss this further?
• It will be my treat.
• She will protect her sister.
• They will vow to honor the agreement.
• We will go the extra mile.
• Will you please pass me the menu?
• I will finish the project on time.
• He will cook dinner.
• You will finish your assignment.
• You will have my support.
• They will assist you.
• He will make it to the meeting.
• It will be a success.
• They will make an everlasting pact to never forget.
• He will give you a ride.
• He will commit to keeping his word.
• She will lend you her book.
• I will buy you a coffee.
• Will he email the details?
• He will help you move.
• We will stand by you.
• The sun will rise in the morning.
• She will guarantee to protect her sister.
• We will have a fantastic summer.
• He will call a taxi.
• You will have my full support.
• He will reach his destination.
• You will receive the package.
• He will show you around the city.
• We will give you a lift to the airport.
• We will go to the party.
• She will become a famous singer.
• Will they consider joining us for dinner?
• Will you be available for a meeting tomorrow?
• Will he be so kind as to send me the report?
• You will choose the movie.
• She will visit the museum.
• She will take the train.
• She will let you borrow her car.
• Will she be able to call me later?
• She will take on the challenge.
• He will swear to repay the loan.
• It will be on me.
• I will help you with your project.
• He will help you with the move.
• He will support the cause.
• She will meet the deadline.
• She will reach her goals.
• He will find true love.
• They will contribute to the community.
• You will get a promotion.
• She will visit her grandmother.
• Will she help with the project?
• Will she call me later?
• They will never forget.
• It will remain our secret.
• Will we be able to discuss this further?
• She will pass the test.
• He will repay the loan.
• We will bring dessert.
• They will support your charity event.
• They will succeed in their venture.
• Will they join us for dinner?
• I will have the salad.
• You will receive my word of honor.
• She will take care of the dog.
• He will win the championship.
• Will he kindly email the details?
• We will go for a walk.
• They will win the game.
• I will promise to support you through thick and thin.
• They will share their snacks.
• Will they lend me some money?
• We will get the results soon.
• They will attend the conference.
• It will be a learning experience.
• Will you pass the salt, please?
• I will do my best.
• I will make you a sandwich.
• She will share her notes with you.
• Will they consider lending me some money?
• They will try the new recipe.
• They will lend a hand.

Modal verb “will” sentences are a versatile and important part of the English language. They can be used to express a wide range of ideas and emotions, both in formal and informal contexts. By understanding how to use modal verb “will” sentences correctly, you can improve your writing and speaking skills.

Download Word Coach Application

Related Posts:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Download the Word coach App on your Android phone

Word Coach - IELTS and GRE Vocabulary Builder & word coach Quiz (10 Words a Day) application helps, you and your friends to improve English Vocabulary and help you become the smartest among your group.

Snapsolve any problem by taking a picture. Try it in the Numerade app?