Means of expressing modality in English. Modal verbs in English

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 the question word in special ones. 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 physical skills, the modal verb can is used. 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 modal meaning: 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 needed 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.

The modal verb ought to together with the perfect infinitive will help you 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 of behavior	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 a 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 form a special group and differ in use from all other verbs. With the help of such verbs we talk about our skills, requests, ask permission, prohibit something, give advice and talk about obligations. That is why it is very important to understand this topic.

In this article we will look at:

What are modal verbs?

Modal verbs unlike other verbs, they do not indicate an action (go, read, study), but show an attitude towards these actions (must go, can read, should study).

Common: “I’m swimming.”
Modal: "I I can swim".

Common: “It works.”
Modal: "He must work".

With the help of such verbs we express opportunity, duty, necessity, readiness, desire, permission to do something.

The following modal verbs exist in English:

These verbs have features of use that distinguish them from other verbs.

Features of modal verbs in English

When using modal verbs, you must remember:

1. Modal verbs are independent and do not require auxiliary verbs

That is, in negative and interrogative sentences we do not need to use do/does, did, will, am/are/is.

To compose negative sentence, we need to add negative particle not to the modal verb itself.

Wrong

He will not come.
He shouldn't come.

They don't can swim.
They can't swim.

Right

He shouldnot come.
He shouldn't come.

They cannot swim.
They can't swim.

To ask a question with a modal verb, we simply move it to the first place.

Wrong:

Will he help?
Should he help?

Does she may ask?
Can she ask?

Right

Must he help?
Should he help?

May she ask?
Can she ask?

The exception to this rule is modal verb have to (need).

He didn't have to go.
He didn't have to go.

Did he have to go?
Did he have to go?

2. Such verbs do not change their ending depending on the character.

In some tenses, we change the ending of the verb if the action is performed by someone alone: she (she), he (he), it (it), her friend (her friend), his sister (his sister).

I like ice-cream.
I love ice cream.

She like s ice-cream
She loves ice cream.

Modal verbs always remain the same, regardless of who performs the action:

She should read.
She should read it.

The exception is the same verb have to, which changes to has to if the action is performed by he, she, it.

They have to write.
They need to write it down.

He has to write.
He needs to write it down.

3. After modal verbs there is no need to put the particle to

Usually the particle to separates two actions, indicating that one of the verbs is in initial form(I want to read t, I forgot yes t, I'll go swimming t).

I want to sleep.
I want to sleep.

After modal verbs we never put the particle to:

You should sleep.
You should get some sleep.

Exceptions are those modal verbs that themselves go in conjunction with to: have to, had to, ought to, be to.

I have to sleep.
I need to sleep.

As you can see, modal verbs have significant differences in use from other verbs in the English language. So be careful when using them in your speech.

Now let's look at what modal verbs exist in English.

Table of basic modal verbs in English with translation

To understand what modal verbs exist and when to use each of them, let's look at the table.

Modal verb	Use Cases	Examples
Can/could I can / could (would)	We talk about mental and physical ability, the ability and ability to do something.	He can run fast. He can run fast. They could speak English. They could speak English.
Should Should	We give advice, we say that something is right and reasonable	You should clean the room. You should clean your room. She should go to the party. She should go to the party.
Have to/had to Should / should have / should	We talk about the need, we force it, we give instructions.	They have to wait. They need to wait. She had to help me. She should have helped me.
Must Must	We say that something needs to be done because it is necessary and important. We give strong advice.	We must hurry. We must hurry. You must read this book. You must read this book.
May/might Maybe/could	We give permission, permission to do something. We talk about the likelihood of something.	It may rain. Possible rain. You might ask the questions. You can ask questions.
Ought to Should/must	We give advice, talk about moral duty.	They ought to apologize. They should apologize. She ought to read aloud. She should read it out loud.
Be to Agreed/agreed/must	We talk about mutual agreement, give orders, talk about rules and instructions.	We are to go to the cinema. We agreed to go to the cinema. He is to be here at 5 p.m. He should be here at 5 pm.

If you are just starting to learn modal verbs, then study them separately. At the beginning of the article, I provided links to articles where each verb is described in great detail. Go ahead and learn. If you know them, then proceed to the consolidation task.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English:

1. He can speak French.
2. You must go to this lecture.
3. We agreed to go to the store.
4. She can take my phone.
5. He needs to talk to her.
6. You should rest.
7. He should make peace with her.

Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

In the English language, in addition to verbal units that express action, there is a group of verbs that serve to fix modality in speech. In simple terms, they express not the action itself, but various kinds of relationships of a certain nature to these actions. Together with the infinitive, modal units form a compound predicate. In general, this is another group of “nasty” verbs in the English language. Modal form English verb The origin of these words is lost in the darkness of centuries. In any case, I was unable to come across a thread that would lead me to their origins. No matter how much I tried to find out their basis from various sources, I did not find anything unambiguous, but also no more or less intelligible explanation.

They differ from ordinary verbs in a number of features, which you can familiarize yourself with a little later. However, in my opinion, their most important feature is that they convey not the state or action of a person or object, but precisely our attitude: “I obliged know this table" or "I I want learn these words."

What is meant by the word "attitude"? The speaker can evaluate any action as necessary, possible, requested, permitted, very probable, unlikely, prohibited, ordered, etc. Depending on the speaker’s assessment of the situation and the structure of the sentence, one of the modal verbs is used in speech.

In total, linguists managed to fix 4 actual modal ones, 4 of their main analogues, as well as 6 units of a multifunctional type.

Modal verbs in English: Modal verbs in English

Can/Could
May/Might
Be to
Have to / Have got to
Should
Ought to
Would
Used to
Shall

The first three are used most often in speech. These verbs sometimes replace other relational words because they have a more general meaning.

Formation of sentences

Modal verbs in English form interrogative sentences without the auxiliary unit to do, and the construction itself is in preposition: Shall I help you?

The negative form in a sentence is formed by placing the particle not in postposition. Often, especially in oral communication, they merge into one form and are reduced. See table:

If you want to learn how to construct sentences correctly, then you must remember that modal verbs, excluding have (got) to, ought to and be to, are followed by a bare infinitive, and the particle to disappears: I must go.

Distinctive Features

Their second name is insufficient, due to the fact that they do not have a number of grammatical forms that other words have - states or actions. Modal verbs in English have the following features:

They are not conjugated by numbers and persons, that is, in the 3rd person singular they do not form the ending -s. The exceptions are need to, have to and be able to, since they have a conjugation paradigm
They are used in speech together with semantic verbs, which at the same time lose the to particle, or can be omitted in the context of a text or conversation: I have to
Lack of gerunds, participles and impersonal infinitives due to the lack of complex tense forms (see next point)
There is no future or past tense, and there are no continuous or perfect forms, with the exception of may (might) and can (could)

To make it easier to understand the rules for using modal verbs, carefully study this table:
Table of modal verbs Why do you need to know modal verbs?

Their correct usage in spoken, competent English speech confirms that you have mastered a level of English that has exceeded the initial level basic level everyday communication. And if you don’t use them in your speech when communicating with an American or a British person, then this means that you are still at the initial stage of learning English and do not have sufficient competence.

Therefore, improve, grow, create a positive impression! Good luck!

Modal verbs in English, these are verbs that in themselves do not denote an action or state, but reflect, as they say in textbooks, “the speaker’s attitude towards the action.”

What does it mean? Let's take the verb can(to be able to do something) - in itself it does not denote an action or state, like the verbs “fly”, “see”, “be scared”. But in combination with another verb it denotes the same attitude to action - in this case it is ability perform an action.

I can fix your TV in two minutes – I Can fix your TV in two minutes.

I can swim in cold water – I Can swim in cold water.

Modal verbs include:

(could)- be able, be capable.
- to be due.
– should, must (e.g. “you should...”).
(might)– expresses that there is permission (e.g. “I can…”)

Note: This article covers the most common modal verbs.

Why is it important to know modal verbs?

Modal verbs are used VERY often in spoken and written speech. Especially - it is one of the 10 most common verbs in the English language (see) and almost no conversation can take place without it.

In addition to the basic meanings, it is useful to know the basic nuances of using modal verbs. For example, in the phrase “You must help Bill” verb must expresses an obligation: “You must help Bill.” And in the sentence “You must be Bill” the same must has a completely different meaning: “You must be Bill.”

Features of modal verbs

Modal verbs are special group verbs (fortunately, very few in number), living according to their own separate rules. Here are their main features.

1. Modal verbs in English are used with a semantic verb in, and the particle to is not placed between verbs.

Right:

I canbuy you a candy – I Can buy candy for you.
I mustdecline your offer – I must reject your proposal.

Wrong:

I can tobuy you a candy.
I must todecline your offer.

2. Modal verbs are not conjugated, no endings are added to them, including the ending -s in the third person singular.

Right:

He can walk on a wire. - He can walk on a tightrope.
She must go. - She should go.

Wrong:

He cans walk on a wire.
She musts go.

3. Modal verbs are not used in the future tense with an auxiliary verb.

In most cases, modal verbs can refer to action in the future, this becomes clear from the context.

I can help you tomorrow. - I I can (I can) help you tomorrow.
We must get back home by midnight. - We should be back home by midnight.
He may pass his exam later with another group. - He may (can) take the exam later with another group.
You should ask her out tomorrow. - You should invite her somewhere tomorrow.

4. The verbs can and may have past tense forms.

These forms are respectively:

I also note that should is the past tense form of a modal verb shall, which is used quite rarely in modern English, see.

5. The interrogative form is formed without an auxiliary verb - the modal verb is placed before the subject:

I can drive - Can I drive?
She could help us – Could she help us?
We must go - Must are we going?
I may ask - May I ask?
You should try - Should I try?

6. The negative form is formed with the help of the particle not, it is placed after the modal verb (and is written together with the verb can). IN colloquial speech Usually negative forms are abbreviated.

cannot – can’t
could not – couldn’t
may not – may not
might not – mightn’t
shouldn't – shouldn't
must not – mustn’t

Note:

Mustnot has not the opposite must meaning. For example:

You must not- does not mean “must not”, that is, “you have no obligation” (here “you don’t have to”), but “you cannot”, “you are prohibited”, “forbidden”. In Russian, sentences with a prohibition expressed as must not are often translated into impersonal sentences.

You mustn't enter that room – To you forbidden go into that room.
You mustn't smoke here – Here prohibited smoke.

May not also has the meaning of prohibition, but softer than must not.

You may not go there - to you it is forbidden go there.
You may not touch it – to you it is forbidden it's touching.

Cannot can mean both physical impossibility, inability, and a ban in a mild form.

You can't take in all those kittens. - You you can't shelter all these kittens (this is impossible).
You can't park here – Here it is forbidden park (this is prohibited).

Synonyms of modal verbs

Modal verbs have non-modal synonyms that are conjugated according to general rules.

These are the synonyms:

Can = be able to (be capable)
Must = have to (to be due)
May = be allowed to (have permission)
Should = be supposed to (imply, be due) - not in all cases.

Modal verbs are considered insufficient - this means that they do not have future tense forms, some (must) do not have past tense forms. Using synonyms you can replace missing forms of modal verbs.

Table: modal verbs and their synonyms

Present	Past	Future
I can fly / I am able to fly	I could fly / I was able to fly	I will be able to fly
I must go / I have to go	I had to go	I will have to go
I may ask / I am allowed to ask	I might ask / I was allowed to ask	I will be allowed to ask

Replacing a modal verb with a synonym is not entirely complete and accurate. For example, must can mean moral necessity, duty, and have to can mean forced necessity.

I must help my parents. - I must help your parents (duty, obligation).

My colleague is being late for the meeting, I have to wait for him. – My colleague is late for a meeting, I must(I have to) wait for him.

Basic uses of modal verbs

Modal verb Can (could)

The verb can is used for:

1. Expressions of opportunity, ability to do something, question, polite request:

Can is used in the present and future tenses, and could in the past tense.

Present tense:

I can show you new world - I Can show you a new world.

I can't believe it! – I can't believe it!

IN interrogative form it turns out the request:

Can I help you? - Can can I help you?

Can do you do me a favour? - You you can do me a favor?

Sentences with the negative form can’t can express not only impossibility, but also a prohibition:

You can't move this stone. - You you can't move this stone (it's too heavy).

You can't walk on the grass. – It is forbidden walking on the grass (this is prohibited).

Past tense:

He could play guitar - He knew how to play the guitar.

I couldn't forgive him - I couldn't forgive him.

Interrogative sentences with could express a polite request towards a second person. More polite than with can.

Could do you pass me that book? – Could you will you pass me that book?

Future tense– the verb can does not change in any way, its relation to the future is clear from the context:

I can talk to you later. - I I can (I can) talk to you later.

James can fix your car tomorrow. – James may (can) fix your car tomorrow.

2. “It can’t be that...”

This combination is also used in negative sentences when the speaker does not believe, does not allow the possibility that the action actually happened. When translating such phrases into Russian, the words “can’t be”, “couldn’t”, “really” are usually used.

Lara cannot have done it! – Lara I couldn't such do!

No, he cannot have said it! - No, he couldn't such say!

Can she have said it? – Really she is said?

Modal verb Must

1. Ought (to be obliged to do something)

You must be Peter - You, there must be, Peter.

These must be his footsteps - This, there must be, his traces.

You should have turned left! - You had to turn left! (and turned right)

You should have seen this place! - You needed to see this place! (but you didn’t see)

3. “In theory it should”

At the verb should there is also the meaning “in theory should”, that is, there is some expected, intended action, but it may not be carried out. In this case, the turnover is more often used be supposed to.

I should (am supposed to) be at work now, but the show is so damn interesting – I must be (supposedly) at work now, but this series is damn interesting.

Doctors say that we should (are supposed to) exercise if we want to stay healthy – Doctors say that we need to(we are supposed to) exercise to stay healthy.

Modal verb May (might)

1. Have permission, permission

In present and future tense

You may do what you want – You can do what you want (present tense).

You may play with your friends later. – You can play with your friends later (future tense)

May I ask you a question? – Can(may I) ask you a question?

In a negative form may not expresses a prohibition:

You may not play with them. - You it is forbidden playing with them (I forbid it).

In the past tense to express permission, it is not the verb might that is used (it expresses an assumption, see below), but the phrase be allowed to- have permission.

I was allowed to continue working on my project. - To me allowed continue working on my project.

We were not allowed to wear uniform. - Us not allowed wear a uniform.

2. Assumption

The verb used to make a guess is may or might, in this case it is translated as “possibly”, “maybe”, etc. The difference between may and might is that may expresses the speaker’s greater confidence in the assumption. However, this difference may be highly context dependent or may not be significant.

Present and future tense

Scheme: May / might + infinitive (without to)

You might know that place – You, Maybe, you know this place (present tense).

He may visit us tonight – He, May be, will visit us in the evening (future tense).

Past tense:

Scheme: May / might + have + Past Participle

She might have forgotten the documents at home. - She, maybe I forgot documents at home.

I may have seen you before. - I, may have seen you before.

Video lessons on modal verbs

In the grammar section of Puzzle English there are several video lessons on the topic of modal verbs, here is the first one: “The Verb Can”.

By going to the “Grammar” section on the Puzzle English service, you can watch the rest of the video lessons (they are available for free), as well as complete the exercises.

Modal verbs in English, unlike other verbs, do not denote an action or state, but only show the speaker’s attitude to an action expressed by an 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 interrogative sentence modal verb comes first:

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 infinitive forms: Indefinite, Continuous, Perfect, Perfect Continuous, and also 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 are many interesting lessons on this topic ahead of you!