modal verb

grammar

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June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Modal verbs are a specific type of auxiliary verb, also known as helping verbs. They are used with ordinary verbs to alter their meaning, expressing concepts like permission, ability, possibility, or necessity.1234

The primary modal verbs include: can, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, will, and would. Unlike regular verbs, modal verbs do not change form (no -ing, -ed, or -s endings) and are always followed by the infinitive form of another verb, without "to". They typically refer to present or future actions.1234

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gender
pronouns and adjectives and sometimes verbs). These other words maintain constant meaning but vary in form according to the class of the word that controls them in a given situation.
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pronouns and adjectives and sometimes verbs). These other words maintain constant meaning but vary in form according to the class of the word that controls them in a given situation.
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auxiliary
English auxiliary verbs include the modal verbs, which may express such notions as possibility (“may,” “might,” “can,” “could”) or necessity (“must”). In “Sam should write to his mother,” the modal verb “should” adds the sense of obligation to the main verb “write.” Other English auxiliaries are “will” and “shall,” which…
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English auxiliary verbs include the modal verbs, which may express such notions as possibility (“may,” “might,” “can,” “could”) or necessity (“must”). In “Sam should write to his mother,” the modal verb “should” adds the sense of obligation to the main verb “write.” Other English auxiliaries are “will” and “shall,” which…
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