Modal Verbs Definition, Rules, and Examples

Main Modal Verbs	Semi-Modal Verbs
Can	Have to
Could	Need to
May	Ought to
Might	Be able to
Must	Used to
Shall	Be going to
Should	Be supposed to
Will	Be allowed to
Would	Had better
Dare (as modal)	Be about to / Be likely to

Usage of Modal Verbs with Examples

Use of Can

• Usage: To show ability or ask/give permission.
• Example: I can swim. / Can I use your phone?

Use of Could

• Usage: To talk about ability in the past or to make polite requests.
• Example: She could sing well when she was 5. / Could you help me?

Use of May

• Usage: To ask or give permission; to show possibility.
• Example: May I come in? / It may rain today.

Use of Might

• Usage: To show a small chance of something happening.
• Example: He might be late.

Use of Must

• Usage: To show something is necessary or required.
• Example: You must wear a seatbelt.

Use of Shall

• Usage: Mostly in formal English for offers or future actions.
• Example: Shall we go now?

Use of Should

• Usage: To give advice or suggest something.
• Example: You should drink more water.

Use of Will

• Usage: To talk about the future or make promises.
• Example: I will call you tomorrow.

Use of Would

• Usage: To make polite offers, requests, or talk about unreal situations.
• Example: Would you like some tea? / I would travel if I had money.

Use of Dare (as modal)

• Usage: To show boldness or challenge. Usually in negative or question forms.
• Example: How dare you speak like that? / Dare he go alone?

Modal Verbs Rules in Simple Words

Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the verb.
Example: She can dance. (Not “can dances”)

Modal verbs do not take ‘s’, ‘ed’, or ‘ing’ forms.
Wrong: He cans go. ✅ Correct: He can go.

Do not use “do/does/did” with modals.
Wrong: Does she can go? ✅ Correct: Can she go?

Examples of Modal Verbs in Sentences

Here are some easy examples of modal verbs in use:

• Can—I can ride a bike.
• May—May I come in?
• Must—You must do your homework.
• Shall—Shall we start the meeting?
• Should—You should eat healthy food.
• Could—he could play piano when he was 5.
• Would—I would love to join the trip.
• Might—It might rain today.
• Will—She will call you tomorrow.
• Dare—Dare he say that to the teacher?

Modal Verbs – Practice Exercises

Try these to test yourself:

1. I ___ go to the doctor. (should / can)
2. She ___ swim very well. (can / must)
3. ___ I borrow your pen? (Will / May)
4. You ___ not smoke here. (must / can)
5. He ___ play guitar when he was young. (could / may)

Answers:

1. should
2. can
3. May
4. must
5. could

Modal Verbs Worksheet for Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct modal verb (can, may, must, should, could):