IN English There is the concept of "modality", which reveals the broader meaning of a phrase or verb in the context of a sentence. Many may have heard about modal verbs before while studying English at school or in other educational institutions. However, this topic is worth remembering. And for those who encounter this phenomenon in language for the first time, it will be interesting to consider the material below.

What are “modal verbs” and why are they needed?

There are few purely modal verbs in English: can/couldmay/might,shouldandmust. And although each of them has its own meaning, they all perform the same function: they complement the action of the main verb.

Modal verbs
Verb	Transcription	Pronunciation	Translation
Can			be able to, be able to, be able to
Could			could, could
May			be able, have permission
Might			could
Should	[∫Ωd]		should
Must			must

They also all have common features:

• the next verb following the modal is written without the particle “to”.

Example: We can go out from here – We can go out from here

• the ending “-s” is not added to modal verbs in the 3rd person

Example: He must come straight home – He must come straight home

• modal verbs do not change and have only one present tense form (except could/might verbs)

Example: I'm maying to want some help– I may want some help.

Correct placement in a sentence.

1. In affirmative sentences.

Subject + modal + verb:

• We should go now - We should go now.
• You must stay - You must stay.
• She can help us - She can help us.

2. In negative sentences.

Subject + modal + not (or n’t) + verb:

• We mustn’t stay out late - We must not be absent for a long time.
• She may not come - She may not come.

3. In interrogative sentences.

Modal + subject + verb:

• Can you drive? - Do you know how to drive?
• Must they leave now? - Should they leave now?

4. Short answers:

Yes, No + subject + modal (+ not, n’t):

• Yes, I can.
• No, she shouldn't.

Let's look at each verb separately.

Can,could(to be able, to be able to, to be able)

It is the most common modal verb. Used to talk about the capabilities of the subject:

• in the present tense, when it is a constant truth.

I can drive - I can drive.

Can you play the piano? No, I can’t – Do you know how to play the piano? No, I can't.

• in the present tense, at the moment.

He can help you now - He can help you now.

• in the future, with expressions of time.

She can’t come to the party tomorrow - She won’t be able to come to the party tomorrow

• in the past tense we use could/couldn't't to talk about abilities or knowledge .

She could play the piano when she was five - She could play the piano when she was five.

She couldn’t speak English very well when she arrived here – She couldn’t speak English very well when she arrived here.

• We can't use could to talk about events that have already happened. But we can use couldn't to talk about actions or events whose implementation was impossible.

She couldn't come to the party. (It was impossible for her to come to the party)

NOT She ​​could come to the party.

They couldn't eat all their dinner. (For them, eating the entire dinner was impossible)

NOT They could eat all their dinner.

• Can And could can also be used in requirements or queries.

Can you help me? -Can you help me?

Could you open the door for me, please? – Could you open the door for me, please?

Can I have a drink? -Can I have a drink?

Could we use your phone? – Could we use your phone?

P.S. Сould is a more polite form, unlike can.

May,might(be able, have permission)

This pair of modal verbs denotes probability, possibility, permission. Might is a more polite form than may. Used:

• To talk about possibilities in the future.

They may leave soon - They may leave soon.

They might leave soon - They could leave soon.

(It is possible that they will leave soon, but I am not sure about that.)

He may be at the office - He may be in the office.

He might be at the office - He could be in the office.

(It's possible he's in the office now, but I'm not sure.)

• For polite requests.

May I sit here? -Can I sit here?

May we come in? -Can we come in?

However, you cannot use might for the interrogative form.

NOT Might I sit here? or Might we come in?

Some notes:

• Negative form may pronounced like maynot. We can't talk mayn't.
• Negative form might usually pronounced like mightnot. Use mightn't allowed, but used very rarely.
• We can use May I...? or Maywe...? for polite requests, but we cannot use may when we ask someone to do something. NOT May you open the door, please?
• Basically we don't use may or might in interrogative form, with the exception of polite requests. But sometimes we can ask a question with Doyouthink...?

Example: Do you think they might be here soon? “Do you think they might be here soon?”

But, no Might they be here soon?

Should(should, should)

We often use should to give various kinds adviсe:

• You should go home - You should go home. (I think it would be better for you to stay at home.)
• He shouldn’t eat so many sweets - He shouldn’t eat so many sweets. (I think overeating on sweets will be bad for him.)

We can also use should both in the present and in the future tense:

• We should leave now - We should leave now.
• We should leave early in the morning - We should leave early in the morning.

We often use should With I think... or Do you think...?:

• I think we should leave - I think we should leave
• Do you think I should write to him? “Do you think I should write to him?”

Must(must)

This modal verb more strictly expresses the subject’s need to perform an action, or confidence in something. Must order of magnitude stronger than should. And its use increases the priority of the entire sentence:

• I must do some work tonight - I must do some work tonight.
• We must get up early tomorrow - We must get up early tomorrow.
• He must be there. - He should be there.

Also use must possible both in the present and in the future tense:

• We must go there now - We must go there now.
• We must go soon there - We must go there soon.

Thus, today you have learned why you need “ modal verbs” and how to use them correctly in a sentence. There are also some equivalents of these verbs, which will be discussed in future articles. That's all. Good luck

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(modal verbs and their equivalents) - Now let's talk about modal verbs . What is it special group Verbs are probably known to almost everyone who took English at school. What is their feature? Their main feature is the use, with the help of these verbs, the speaker shows whether this or that action is possible, or not possible, obligatory or not necessary. Those. an action should or should not be performed, but is not performed, this rule applies in all tenses, wherever modal verbs are used. Modal verbs are not used independently, but only in combination with a semantic verb. Together they form a compound predicate (in case anyone has forgotten, this is when the predicate consists of two words). Modal verbs include can, may, must, ought to, shall, should, will, need, to be to, have to, have got to. Examples:

He can swim. -He can (knows how) to swim.

He may swim. – He can swim (in this context we can say that he is allowed)

This work ought to be done at once. – The work must be done immediately.

Modal verbs are actually Defective verbs, i.e. they are defective or insufficient to put it correctly. What does this mean? They do not have all forms like other verbs. For example: they do not have the particle –s for the 3rd person singular. (He, She), they do not have an infinitive, ing forms and participles, some do not have a past tense form (must, should, ought to, need). Yes, but these verbs are often interchangeable, which somewhat compensates for their insufficiency. But keep in mind that their meaning is not always similar, so verbs that are similar in meaning are usually replaced. The interrogative form of a sentence is formed by the modal verb itself, which is essentially an auxiliary verb. The same applies to negative sentences. Examples:

Must I come too? -Should I come too?

She can't do it today. “She can’t do it today.”

As I already said, not all of the modal verbs can be used in all tenses; in order to compensate, the equivalents of these modal verbs are used in different tenses. To make it easier to understand, you can present this in table form.

Past	Present	Future
could	can	shall/will	be able to do something
had to do something	must	shall/will	have to do something
might	may	shall/will	be allowed to do something

This table will help you understand the use of modal verbs in different tenses. Again, I recommend that you read, this is the only way you will remember how, and most importantly, why this or that form of modal verbs is used.

In this article we will briefly look at how and where the main modal verbs are used.

may, might

May + infinitive expresses a request, permission, possibility, assumption, doubt. Might – the past tense of may expresses doubt, but to a slightly greater extent than may.

can, could

Can + infinitive expresses possibility or ability. Could + infinitive often has a connotation of uncertainty and can correspond to the Russian subjunctive mood.

must, need, have to, have got to

Must+ infinitive in affirmative and interrogative sentences expresses necessity, obligation, advice or order. In the Russian version it has an analogue must, it is necessary, it is necessary. The negative form mustn’t expresses a prohibition (impossible), i.e. is the opposite in meaning of the verb may. Lack of necessity (not necessary, not necessary) is expressed by the verb needn’t. Need+ infinitive is also used in interrogative sentences. Must is most often used in the present tense, less often in the future. To some extent, another modal verb has to (had to) + infinitive serves as a replacement. It carries a connotation of obligation, or obligation. Can be used in all three tenses, although the past and future forms are more commonly used. Have got to is an extremely common colloquial variant of have to, actually a synonym, for the present tense.

to be to

This phrase is not often used. They don’t often write about him in textbooks, but nevertheless he can get caught. This is also a modal verb, the main thing is not to confuse it with any tense. As always, to be, depending on the person, changes to am (I), is (he,she), are (they, we, you), was (I,he,she), were (you, they, we). The negation follows the auxiliary verb, well, you probably understood this, isn’t, am not, wasn’t. Interrogative sentences are constructed in the same way as in all cases where to be is a verb helper. This modal verb carries a connotation of planning, compulsion. It is used very rarely in the future tense. Examples:

I am to go there. - I have to go there.

We are to go there. -We have to go there.

Should, would, ought to

The verb forms should and would function not only as auxiliary verbs, but also as modal verbs. In particular, Would is used for:

1) repetition of an action in the past; 2) request; 3) intention, desire.

Should expresses (as a modal verb) instruction, exhortation, recommendation, advice.

Ought to often denotes a moral duty, the responsibility of the speaker. Similar to should , but also rarely used.

shall, will

Shall can also be a modal verb, although it is not used often. It expresses a promise, a threat, and is used with 2nd and 3rd person singular and plural pronouns.

Will, unlike the previous one, expresses will, desire, repetition of actions, command, inevitability.

Examples for all modal verbs:

We must study English. – We must study English.

She can do it. - She can do it

May I take these apples? -Can I have these apples?

He will be allowed to come here. - He will be allowed to come here.

I will read this book. – I will read this book (required).

He will sleep after work (usually).– He usually sleeps after work.

Will you help me? -Won't you help me?

I am to find a job. - I have to find a job.

I wouldn't do this. - I wouldn't do that.

You shall say it! - You say it!

We had to go by tram. – We had to go by tram.

- we studied modal verbs.

Here you can take a lesson on the topic: Modal verbs in English. Modal verbs.

In this tutorial we will look at special category English verbs that are used to express possibilities, necessity, ability, certainty, obligation and some other goals of the speaker. These verbs are noticeably different from ordinary verbs in English and are called modal.

Here are the main modal verbs to remember:

can - be able to, be able to
could - could, could
must - must, necessarily
have to - must, optional, should
may - it is possible
might - possible (a little outdated)
should - should
ought to - should (a little outdated)
need to - necessary, necessary

Due to their special semantics and form of agreement, modal verbs are considered as a separate grammatical category. In affirmative sentences they are used as part of the predicate, and in negative and interrogative ones they perform the role of the auxiliary verb. For example:

(+) He can sing. - He can (can) sing.
(-) He can’t (can’t) sing. - He doesn’t know how (can) sing.
(?) Can he sing?- Can (Can) he sing?

There are several rules that will help you construct phrases and sentences correctly with modal verbs:

1. Modal verbs are not used by themselves, but only in combination with other verbs. For example:

James can drink a bottle of whiskey. - James can drink a bottle of whiskey.

2. Most modal verbs never does not change according to gender, numbers and persons. For example:

I must find that book. - I have to find that book. (1st person singular)
He must find that book. - He must find that book. (3rd person singular)
We must find that book. - We have to find that book. (1st person plural)

The exceptions are the modal verbs have to (must) and need to (necessary). For example:

You have to clean the room. - You must (you should) clean the room. (2nd person plural)
He has to clean the room. - He must (he should) clean the room. (3rd person singular)

I need to learn how to drive. - I need to learn to drive a car. (1st person singular)
She needs to learn how to drive. - She needs to learn to drive a car. (3rd person singular)

3. Modal verbs do not change shape those. do not form an infinitive, gerund or participle like the main ones English verbs. Let's look at the changes in form using the example of the verb help:

(to) help (infinitive) - helping (gerund) - helped (participle)

4. Always used after modal verbs infinitive verb without the particle to. For example:

We can change the rules of the game. - We can change the rules of this game.
He must pay for the tickets. - He must pay for the tickets.

5. Most modal verbs are considered auxiliary, so they can independently form their own questions and denials. For example:

(-) You can"t (cannot) just leave. - You can’t just leave.
(-) Chris shouldn't (should not) lie to his parents. - Chris shouldn't lie to his parents.

(?) Could you repeat the sentence, please? - Could you repeat (this) sentence, please?
(?) What can I do for you? - What can I do for you?

Exceptions are modal verbs have to and need to, which are not auxiliary. In this regard, to form their questions and denials, they need the help of the auxiliary verbs do and does (3rd person singular). For example:

(-) You don"t have to go there. - You don’t need (not necessarily) to go there.
(-) My dad doesn't need to work. - My dad doesn't need (no need) to work.

(?) Does it have to be this way? - Should it be like this?
(?) Do I need to apologise? - Do I need to apologize?

6. Some modal verbs have no future or past tense forms. Let's look at the temporary table:

All modal verbs refer to certain semantic groups:

Verbs of possibility
- verbs of probability
- verbs of permissions and prohibitions
- verbs of (absence of) obligation
- verbs of requests and offers
- verbs of advice
- verbs of (lack of) necessity

Let's look at each group in more detail.

I. So, for example, possibility in English can be expressed by the modal verbs can and could. With these verbs we can talk about physical abilities and capabilities. For example:

Julia can climb the trees easily. - Julia can easily climb trees.
I could fall and break my leg. - I could have fallen and broken my leg.

As you can see from the examples, there is a slight difference between the modal verbs can and could: can is a present tense verb, and could is a past tense verb. However, there are cases when could is used in the present tense, to make the conversation more official tone. For example:

Can I take your book? -Can I borrow your book? (friendly tone)
Could I borrow your book? - Can I borrow your book from you? (more formal tone)

II.Basic verbs of probability- these are may and might. But probability can also be expressed using the verbs can and could. Depending on the context, modal verbs of probability can be interchangeable. Let's look at examples:

Don"t touch it! It may/ might fall apart. - Don't touch it! It may fall apart.
She may/ might pass the exam. - Perhaps she will pass the exam.
It can/ may/ might rain. - It might rain.
You could/ may/ might/ can lose your job. - You could lose your job.

III. Verbs of probability (may, might, can, could) can also be used to express permissions or prohibitions. For example:

(?) May/ might/ can/ could/ speak to the bank manager, please? - Can I speak to the bank manager, please?

As can be seen from the question, in requests to allow something, you can use any of these verbs. The only difference will be in the formality of the situation. The verb can is the simplest way of addressing, while may, might and could are more formal.

Let's try to answer this question affirmatively (permission) and negatively (prohibition):

(+) Yes, you may/ might/ can. - Yes. Can.
(-) No, you may not/ might not/ can not. - No, you can’t.

The verb could is not used as an answer in such situations.

IV. Verbs obligations are the verbs must and have to. They differ little from each other in meaning, but in form they are quite different. So, for example, the verb must is auxiliary those. itself constructs questions and negations, but the verb have to does not. Or the verb must has no form neither the present time nor the future, and the verb have to has, so when you need to express an obligation not in the present tense, only the verb have to is used. Let's look at some examples:

You must leave immediately. - You must leave immediately.
I have to visit the dentist. - I need (should) visit the dentist.

(-) You mustn"t smoke here. - You can’t smoke here.
(-) You don"t have to smoke here. - You don’t need to smoke here.
(?) Must we obey? - Should we obey?
(?) Does he have to travel that far? - Should he travel such a distance?

We had to open the door to let the smoke out. “We had to open the doors so the smoke could come out.” (past)
My mum will have to pay my school fee. - My mother will have to pay the school fee. (future)

The verbs must and have to can be used interchangeably in the present tense, but must is considered to imply a stronger duty, while have to reserves the right to choose. For example:

You must go to this party. It's very important. - You (necessarily) must go to this party. It is very important.
I think, you have to go to this party. - I think you should go to this party. (but it's up to you to decide whether to go or not).

While the verbs must and have to are very similar, their negative forms have completely different meanings: mustn"t - impossible, prohibited; don"t have to - no need, not necessary. Let's look at the following examples:

You mustn"t smoke at school. It"s prohibited. - You can't smoke at school. This is prohibited. (ban)
Actually, you don"t have to come with me. I can go myself. - In principle, you don’t have to come with me. I can go myself. (lack of obligation).

V. Requests are very similar to permissions, therefore, using the verbs we already know can and could we can make a request. For example:

Can/ Could you help me with this bag, please? - Could you help me with this bag, please?

However, you can also use modal verbs to ask for help: will and would. For example:

Will/ Would you help me with ,y homework? - Could you help me with my homework?

And the most best phrase to express a request is the phrase Would you mind + gerund verb. Let's consider in a sentence:

Would you mind helping me? - Could you help me?

To express offers of help and simply interesting proposals, the verb shall is used, and less often will. For example:

Shall I help you with your begs? - Do you need help with your bags?
Shall I make you a cup of tea? - Should I make you a cup of tea?
Shall we go to the cinema? - Shouldn't we go to the cinema?
Here, I shall/ will help you. - Wait, now I will help you.
I will bring you some water. - I'll bring you some water.

VI. Advice is given in English using modal verbs should and ought to. These verbs are equivalent in meaning, but should is a more informal word and is used more often. Let's look at examples of advice:

You should/ ought to go to the dentist. - You should go to the dentist.
The weather is chilly. You should/ ought to put on your coat. - The weather is cool. You should wear a coat.
When you talk to older people, you should/ ought to be more polite. - When you talk to people older than you, you should be more polite.

The verb should has both a negative form - shouldn't, which is also used for advice, and an interrogative form. For example:

(-) You shouldn't stay there for a long time. - You shouldn't stay there for a long time.
(-) She shouldn’t talk to me like that. - She shouldn’t talk to me like that.

(?) Should I call the police? - Should I call the police?
(?) Should I hide while it "s not late? - Should I (should) hide before it’s too late?

The verb ought to does not have a negative or interrogative form.

VII. The main verb of need in English is the modal verb - need to. But necessity can also be expressed using the verb have to. For example:

You need to lose some weight. = You have to lose some weight. You need (should, must) lose some weight.

These same verbs are used to express lack of need. You just need to use the negative form, and since the verbs need to and have to are not auxiliary, the words don"t and doesn"t need help. Let's look at examples:

You don"t have to cook if you don"t like it. -You don't have to cook if you don't like it.
He doesn't need to cut his hair. - He doesn't need to cut his hair.

In English there are many examples of the use of modal verbs in national sayings. Here you will find some of them:

Hares may pull dead lions by the beard. - Hares can pull a dead lion’s beard./ A dog that has died will not bite.
No living man all things can. - No person can do everything./ You cannot embrace the immensity.
Bird may be known by its song. - You can recognize a bird by the way it sings.
As the tree falls, so shall it lie. - When a tree falls, that’s where it should lie./ Where the tree leaned, that’s where it fell.
As you brew, so must you drink. - What you brewed, then dissolve.
Things past cannot be remembered. - The past cannot be returned.
Drowning man will catch at a straw. - A drowning man clings to a straw.
Needs must when the devil drives. - You have to when the devil urges you on. / Nothing can be done against necessity.

Thus, we became acquainted with a special grammatical topic in the English language - modal verbs, as well as some rules for their use. Modal verbs are used quite often and will appear more than once in sentences. If you pay attention to their use in sentences, and also try to come up with your own examples, then the knowledge will not be in vain.

In English, there are special verbs that are necessary to express ability, opportunity, obligation, permission. They are not subject to the rules for forming forms of ordinary verbs. Modal verbs in English occupy a separate level of grammar; their meanings must be remembered so as not to get into an awkward situation. Let's look at the basic modal verbs, the rules for their use, and their meanings.

What is a modal verb?

A modal verb is a verb that does not express an action, but indicates possibility, necessity and other meanings. It is not used independently, but only in combination with a semantic verb expressed by an infinitive. Modal ones include might, must, can, could, ought, should and others. Only some of them have a past tense form, for example, can - could, while others use the perfect infinitive to express the completeness of the action:

He must have done it. - He must have already done it.

Among the formal distinctive features are the following:

• Lack of ending - s in the 3rd person present tense. She can swim. - She can swim. He might be there. - He should be there.
• Lack of infinitive, gerund, and past participle.
• Lack of an auxiliary verb in interrogative sentences. The modal verb comes first in general questions and after question word in special Can you help me? -Can you help me? May I come in? - Can I come in? How can I help you? - How can I help?
• Forming a negative form using the particle not without adding an auxiliary verb. We don't need to do that. - We don't need to do this.
• Many English modal verbs have equivalents. For example, to have (must), to be (must), to be able to (can, could), to be allowed (might, may).
• Most modal verbs are followed by a semantic verb expressed by an infinitive without the particle to, however, there are exceptions. For example, You ought to be more careful. - You should be more careful. This fact ought not to be mentioned so often. - This should not have been mentioned so often.

Modal verbs in English: rules of use

Let's look at the main modal verbs in English according to their meanings. Moreover, each modal verb can have more than one meaning:

Probability Expression

Verbs are used to express possibility or probability can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will and would. The speaker uses must, should if he is completely confident in his words.

He hasn`t had a lunch. He must be hungry. - he didn't have lunch. He must be hungry.

It`s very dark outside. It must be dangerous to home on foot. - It's very dark outside. Walking home is dangerous.

Ask Peter. He shouldn't know. - Ask Peter. He should know.

The speaker uses could, may, might to express the possibility of something in the future.

We might come late. - We might be late.

He may travel by plane. - Perhaps he will fly on an airplane.

Unless we hurry up, we could be late. - We might be late if we don't hurry up.

To express actions possible in the present or near past, the perfect infinitive is used.

It`s practically 3 o`clock now. She could have arrived now. - It’s almost three o’clock. She could have already arrived.

He might have come hours ago. - She could have arrived several hours ago.

English modal verbs could, can in negative form with the particle not are used to express the impossibility of something in the past or present tense.

It was a joke. She couldn`t be serious. - It was a joke. She couldn't speak seriously.

It can`t be true.- This cannot be true.

Expression of physical ability and ability to perform an action

To express a person’s abilities and his physical skills, modal is used verb can. It has two tense forms: can to express a person’s abilities in the present and could - in the past. In other tense forms, the verb can be equivalent to to be able (to).

We can`t translate the text.- We cannot translate the text.

He couldn`t see me, I was too far. - He couldn't see me, I was too far away.

We'll be able to see each other very often. - We can see each other more often.

He has been able to help me. - He managed to help me.

Expressing permission to perform an action

The speaker uses the modal verb can to ask permission to do something. Past tense form could will mean the same thing, but will make the phrase more polite and formal.

Can I ask a question? - Can I ask a question?

Could I ask a question? - Let me ask a question.

The verb may has a modal meaning: to allow something to be done and can be used instead of can.

May I visit a doctor? - Can I visit the doctor?

Expression of obligation

To express obligation, the modal verbs must, have to, need to are usually used, the negative form of which is intended to express the absence of the need to do something. Most should verbs are in the present tense. Had to also has a past tense form.

I must pick up my daughter from the kindergarten. - I have to pick up my child from kindergarten.

When I was ill I had to take the pills two times a day. - When I was sick, I had to take pills 2 times a day.

To give advice to someone, we can also use the corresponding modal verbs should or ought to.

You should stop smoking. - You should quit smoking.

You ought to cut down the amount of meat you eat. - You should reduce the amount of meat you eat.

Modal verb ought to together with the perfect infinitive will help to criticize someone's behavior.

He should have made more effort on winning the medal. “He should have put in more effort and tried to win a medal.”

Table of modal verbs

For convenience and clarity, examples of modal verbs along with their meanings can be placed in a table.

	necessity of action	You must understand it. You must understand this.
		You mustn`t turn right. Right turns are prohibited.
		You should lose some weight. You should lose weight. You should`t drink coffee before going to bed. You shouldn't drink coffee before bed.
shouldn`t + perfect infinitive	criticize someone's style	You should`t have given your telephone number to a stranger. You shouldn't have given your phone number to a stranger.
		You ought to go to the dentist. You should visit the dentist.
	the need to perform an action	We need to talk to each other. We need to talk to each other.
	ask permission; talk about skills and abilities.	Can I take these documents? Can I take these documents? I could swim when I was 6. When I was 6 years old, I could swim.

Sentences with modal verbs are very common in English. It is important to learn to understand their meaning in each specific case.

Modal verbs in English, unlike other verbs, do not denote an action or state, but only show the speaker’s attitude to the action expressed by the infinitive, in combination with which they form a compound verbal modal predicate.

Compound verbal modal predicate = modal verb + infinitive.

English modal verbs are special verbs that are used to express possibility, ability, permission, etc. For example:

“It might snow” – opportunity
“I can sing” – ability
“You may stand up” – resolution

How many modal verbs are there in English?

There are 12 modal verbs in English. Below is a list of modal verbs in English; by clicking on one of them you can go to a separate article and study it. There is also the opportunity to take an online test to consolidate the material and check how well you understood what was written. By the way, in English they are called modal verbs.

Let's look at what modality means.

First, let's find out what Modal is - it expresses mood. Since in English the mood is ‘mood’
Mood (mood) is a way to express the speaker’s attitude towards what was said.

For example:

- I can paint - I can draw; means that the speaker has the ability to draw.
- I must paint - I must paint; must draw.
- You should paint - you must paint; advice.

After explaining the topic, you will be able to download a table of modal verbs and their equivalents in English.

What's special about modal verbs

Let's find out what modal verbs are and how they function.
They are special because they behave differently than other verbs in English. A few points that prove that modal verbs are special:

• 1. English modal verbs are used together with the base form of another verb.

Examples:

- I might come late - I may be late.
- You should study English - you must learn English.
- I can run fast - I can run fast.

That is, they remain in unchanged form.

• 2. We do not add “-ing”, “-ed”, “-s” to English modal verbs. The ending '-s' is added to have to And need.

Examples:

- I must go now - I must go. (I am must go now).
- They said we could park there - They said that we can park here. (They said we could park here) .
- Yes, she can have another chocolate - Yes, she can take more chocolate. (She can have another chocolate) .

• 3. To form an interrogative sentence, we put the modal verb in first place:

Examples:

- She can tell the secret - She can tell the secret.
— Can she tell the secret? – Can she tell a secret? (Does she can tell the secret?).
- We should stop watching TV - You should stop watching TV.
— Should we stop watching TV? – Should we stop watching TV? (Do we should stop watching TV?) .

• 4. To form a negative sentence, we add a particle 'not', or we shorten can't.

- Vera can read well, even though she’s only three - Vera reads well, although she is only three years old.
— Vera can’t read well — Vera doesn’t know how to read. (She doesn’t can read) .
- She could fence when she was ten - She knew how to fence when she was ten.
- She could not fence when she was ten - She did not know how to fence when she was ten. (She did not could fence) .

Thanks to a modal verb, we can express our attitude towards something. Modal verbs in English convey a certain emotionality. Each of them has its own meaning in English. If we want to give advice, we use Should, but if we are unsure of something, then we use May. Modal verbs in English are very easy to understand. The main thing is not to give up.

Modal verbs with perfect infinitive

Let's look after which verbs use the perfect infinitive:

• 1. Must + have + past participle

To express probability, inference:

- If you can’t find your keys you must have left them in the house - If you can’t find the keys, you must have left them at home.

• 2. Can’t/Couldn’t + have + past participle

When combined with the perfect infinitive, it expresses doubts and surprise:

- She can’t/couldn’t have got into an accident - It can’t be that she got into an accident.

• 3. May + have + past participle

Express the possibility that an action occurred in the past:

- The little boy may have lost the keys (It is possible that he lost the keys.) - Perhaps the boy lost the keys.

• 4. Might + have + past participle

Express a possibility in the past:

- My sister might have heard some noises when your bag was stolen - My sister could have heard something when your bag was stolen.

Might/may/could + past participle are used when we think that something was possible, but we are not sure about it.

For example:

- The thieves might have escaped by car but I can’t be sure - The thieves may have escaped by car, but I’m not sure.
— I can’t find my wallet. I could have left it in the supermarket but I just don’t know – I can’t find my wallet. Perhaps I left it at the supermarket, but I don't know.

• 5. Needn’t + Have + Past Participle

In combination with the perfect infinitive need expresses the absence of the need to perform an action in the past:

- You needn’t have bought the ring - You didn’t need to buy a ring.

• 6. Should + have + past participle

The obligation was not fulfilled in the past:

- He should have called me before leaving for London (But he didn’t call me) - He should have called me before leaving for London.

• 7. Would + have + past participle

Conditional sentences of the third type.

— I would have played tennis but I had a strong pain in my leg.

• 8. Ought to + have + past participle

In combination with the perfect infinitive, ought expresses a desired but impossible past action:

- You ought to have bought the tickets for the football match yesterday, but I waited for you in vain - You should have bought tickets for yesterday's football match, but I waited for you in vain.

Even more examples with modal verbs should, might, may, can, need, ought to, must:

- He might win the first place - Perhaps he will take first place.
- We could do it better and they knew it - We could do it better, and they knew it.
- Tell them they must do it - Tell them that they must do it.
- The dog should be fed twice a day - The dog needs to be fed twice a day.
- The book can be found in the library - The book can be found in the library.
— Need we come to the stadium on Sunday morning? – Do we need to come to the stadium on Saturday morning?
- You ought to help your friends in their training as you are one of the best athletes in the group - You must help your friends in their training, since you are the best athlete in the group.
- You cannot have missed that match - It cannot be that you missed the match.
- I must take part in the contest - I must take part in the competition.
— May he enter the room? – Can he enter the room?

Infinitive forms with modal verbs

Let's look at a table with the forms of the infinitive: Indefinite, Continuous, Perfect, Perfect Continuous, as well as in what forms it can be used passive voice with modal verbs.

		Active	Passive
Modal verbs with an infinitive in the form:	Compound verb modal predicate.
Indefinite (simple)	Action refers to the present or future.	to do example: They could be at Simon's place.	to be done example: They can be given money.
Continuous	To denote action in the present.	To be doing example: She can't be sleeping now.	______
Perfect	To indicate an action in the past. Note: 1. Action was not performed: - with modal verbs: ought to, should, might, could. 2. The planned action was not completed: -with modal verb: to be to.	To have done example: The little boy may have lost the keys	To have been done example: The keys must have been lost somewhere.
Perfect Continuous	To denote an action that began in the past and continued for a certain period of time.	To have been doing example: He must have been sleeping for a long time as he woke up the guests were gone.	______

You can download a detailed table of modal verbs in English right now and right here. In this table you will find all 12 modal verbs, their equivalents, translations and examples. In addition, fixed phrases are presented after each table.

Lesson summary

Modal verbs lack some features (except be to and have (got) to):

1. Most modal verbs have only one form, they have no aspect, voice, mood, with the exception of can, may, will;
2. –s in the third person singular is not added to them;
3. They are not used with participles and infinitives;
4. They are not used with the particle to (except ought);
They do not need auxiliary verbs to form interrogative or negative sentences.

Having learned what modal verbs are in English, you can study each modal verb separately on our website.

How to Learn and Use Modal Verbs in English

The most important thing to know is to pay attention to the context.
You know that many modal verbs can have different meanings. Therefore, you need to think carefully about what this or that verb in a sentence means.
Go into detail. Remember, what you have read in this lesson is a very small part of everything you need to know, if you want to use modals well in English, you need to study each verb separately and do the exercises after each lesson.
This is a very big topic and there is a lot ahead of you interesting activities on this topic!