Modals Introduction

Modal (auxiliary) verbs are verbs like: can, could, will, would, may, might, must, should, shall.

Modal verbs give us more information about the main verb which follows it.

Compare:

I go shopping every day. (It is a fact/routine).

I must go shopping every day. (It is a necessity).

Form

For example: I must go shopping. CORRECT I must to go shopping. INCORRECT

Modal verbs are the same for all pronouns. We do not add –s to the he/she/it form.

For example: He must go shopping. CORRECT He musts go shopping. INCORRECT

For example: I must go shopping. PRESENT I must had to go shopping. INCORRECT

Use

Modal verbs have many different functions.

Must, for example, can be used to talk about: Prohibition, Obligation and Deduction.

Many students find it easier to learn modal verbs by function.

Click on the links below to learn more about modal verbs by function