Modal Verb Basics - Explanation

Modal verbs can be confusing for many students. This quick guide and follow-up quizzes will help you understand the basics of modal verbs. After studying the following chart, try the challenging modal verb quizzes listed at the bottom of this page. Ability Can do something /  Able to do something   Someone has an ability to do something. Peter can speak French.Anna is able to play the violin.. Possibility    Could do something/  Might do something /  May do something /  Can do something Its possible for someone to do something. Peter could help you this afternoon.Alice might have gone to the bank.They may know the answers.  She can come to the party next week.   Obligation Have to do something Its a daily requirement of a job or some other common task. Peter has to help customers at the store.They have to get up early on Saturdays. Need to do something Its important to do something. I need to get some milk and eggs for dinner.She needs to do her homework tonight. Must do something Its personally important for someone to do something. I must leave soon because the train leaves in one hour.I must study if I want to get an A. Prohibition Mustnt do something Its forbidden for someone to do something. Children mustnt go into this room.Motorcycles mustnt be ridden on this road.   Non-necessity   Dont have to do something /  Dont need to do something It isnt necessary for someone to do something, but it is also possible. You dont have to take this class, but its interesting.You dont need to get up early on Saturday.She doesnt have to work on Sundays, but she does sometimes.Mary doesnt need worry about the wash. Ill take care of it.   Advisability   Should do something /  Ought to do something /  Had better do something Its a good idea for someone to do something. Its someones suggestion to someone. You ought to see a doctor.Jennifer should study harder.Peter had better hurry up. Shouldnt do something It isnt a good idea for someone to do something. You shouldnt work so hard.They shouldnt ask questions during the presentation.   Certainty Modal verbs can also be used to show how probable something is. These are known as modal verbs of probability and follow similar patterns in the present and the past.   must be   The speaker is 90% sure the sentence is true.   She must be happy today. Shes got a huge smile on her face.Tom must be in a meeting. Hes not answering his phone.   could be / might be / may be The speaker is 50% sure the sentence is true.   The could be at the party.She might be happy if you give her the present.They may be angry with their parents. cant be / mustnt be / couldnt be The speaker is 90% sure that something is not true. You cant be serious.They mustnt be the ones we ordered.She couldnt be at the party.   might not be / may not be The speaker is 50% sure that something is not true. The might not be in agreement on this contract.Tom may not be at school.   Now, try the quizzes: Modal Verb Review Quiz 1