A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb which expresses:
- ability
- intention
- obligation
- necessity
- permission
- possibility
Their job is to change or affect other verbs in a sentence. They differ from normal verbs as they don’t follow the same patterns.
examples of modal verbs in use
Here are some examples of modal verbs in action with pictures.
table of common modal verbs
Modal verbs are used frequently in everyday speech, especially in casual conversations with friends and family. When you get the chance, try and revise the following table:
common modal verbs and their function
Now you know what a modal verb is, click on the headings below to learn each one in more detail with meaning and picture examples.
shades of modality
The following picture illustrates how strong each modal verb is.
top 10 tips for modal verbs
Now you know what a modal verb is and how to use them, I’ll give you my top 10 tips about modals.
