Understanding modal verbs, a type of auxiliary verb

Before diving into the world of modal verbs, it’s important to quickly recap what auxiliary verbs are: when you see a verb like “do,” “be,” or “have” combined with another verb, that’s an auxiliary verb. For example:

• I am running tomorrow morning.

In this sentence, “am” is the auxiliary verb that comes before the verb “running.” Auxiliary verbs add to the main verb to add tense, voice, or mood to a sentence.

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What are modal verbs?

Modal verbs are used with another verb to express ideas like possibility, necessity, ability, or permission. The following verbs are modal verbs:

• Can/could
• Will/would
• Shall/should
• May/might
• Must

Since modal verbs are auxiliary verbs, they cannot be used on their own. Instead, they must be used with another verb to be considered modal verbs.

Here’s an example of sentence without a modal verb:

• I walk the dog tonight.

This sentence uses a single verb, ‘walk.’

Now let’s add a modal verb to the sentence:

• I can walk the dog tonight.

In this sentence, ‘can’ is the modal verb that adds to the verb ‘walk.’ Adding the modal verb changes the meaning of the sentence–the speaker is now expressing their ability to walk the dog.

Using modal verbs to express possibility

Typically, modal verbs that are used to express possibility include:

• Can
• Could
• May
• Might

Here’s an example of a sentence that uses a modal verb to express possibility:

• Pierre might cook dinner for us tonight.

In this sentence, “might” is the modal verb that expresses possibility and comes before the main verb, “cook.”

Here’s another sentence that uses a modal verb to express possibility:

• Travis could drive us to the concert.

In this sentence, “could” is the modal verb that expresses possibility. It comes before the main verb, “drive.”

Using modal verbs to express necessity

Sometimes, model verbs are used to express the need to perform an action. Modal verbs that express necessity include:

• Must
• Should

Here’s an example of a sentence that uses a model verb to express necessity:

• You must boil the pasta in water.

In this sentence, “must” is the modal verb that expresses necessity. It comes before the verb “boil,” and it’s telling you that the action described in the sentence is vital and necessary.

Here’s another sentence that uses a modal verb to express necessity:

• You should see your doctor once a year.

In this sentence, “should” is the modal verb that expresses necessity. It comes before the verb “see.”

Using modal verbs to express ability

Some modal verbs are used to express ability, or the capability of a subject. These usually include:

• Can
• Could
• Shall

Here’s an example of a sentence that uses a modal verb to express ability:

• He can run a mile in 5 minutes.

In this sentence, “can” is the modal verb that expresses ability, and ‘run’ is the sentence’s main verb. And here’s another sentence that uses a modal verb to express ability:

• She could play guitar better than her friends.

In this sentence, “could” is the modal verb that expresses ability, and “play” is the main verb of the sentence. The function of this modal verb shows how the subject (she) is able to perform on her guitar, and the rest of the sentence illustrates how she ranks against her peers.

Using modal verbs to express permission

Modal verbs can be used to ask for permission or ask questions. The most common modal verbs that are used to ask for permission include:

• May
• Might
• Could
• Can

When using modal verbs to ask a question, the modal verb does not have to come directly before the main verb. Here’s an example of a sentence that uses a modal verb to ask for permission:

• May I use the restroom?

In this sentence, ‘may’ is the modal verb that is connected to the base verb ‘use’ through the subject ‘I’.

Here’s an example of a sentence that uses a modal verb to ask a question:

• Can I call you tonight?

In this sentence, ‘can’ is the modal verb that is connected to the base verb ‘call’ through the subject ‘I.’

Using modal verbs to make negative statements

Modal auxiliary verbs can also be used to create negative statements. For example:

• They can’t cook dinner tonight.
• He won’t tell his wife.
• She should not play in the game tomorrow.

You can either add ‘not’ after the modal verb or turn the modal verb into a contraction.

Using modal verbs is essential if you want to change the intent of your sentences. With the help of these modal verb examples, you can identify modal verbs and use them in your writing with confidence.