{"id":3441,"date":"2025-07-15T21:31:53","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T14:31:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edumaenglish.edu.vn\/?p=3441"},"modified":"2025-07-15T21:31:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T14:31:53","slug":"english-modal-verb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edumaenglish.edu.vn\/en\/english-modal-verb\/","title":{"rendered":"English Modal Verb"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/h2>\n
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs used to express abilities, possibilities, permissions, obligations or suggestions. They are used with the base form of another verb (without “to”) and do not change form based on the subject.<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

In-depth Explanation<\/h2>\n
\n

Modal verbs modify the main verb to indicate the mood or attitude of the speaker towards the action. Here is the structure for affirmative sentences:<\/p>\n

[Subject] + [modal verb] + [main verb]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Modal verbs are not conjugated. That means they remain the same even when the subject changes. So, for example, the modal verb could is used each of these sentences:<\/p>\n

You\u00a0could<\/strong>\u00a0go to school early today.<\/p>\n

He\u00a0could<\/strong>\u00a0go to school early today.<\/p>\n

Jennifer and Mark\u00a0could<\/strong>\u00a0go to school early today.<\/p>\n

We\u00a0could<\/strong>\u00a0go to school early today.<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Common Modal Verbs<\/h3>\n

Here are the most common modal verbs with their usage and examples.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Modal Verb<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Usage<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Examples<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Can<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

To talk about ability or permission.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ability:\u00a0She\u00a0can<\/strong>\u00a0speak French fluently.<\/p>\n

Permission:\u00a0You\u00a0can<\/strong>\u00a0leave now.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Could<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

To talk about past ability, permission, possibility or to make polite requests.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Past ability:\u00a0I\u00a0could<\/strong>\u00a0run fast when I was young.<\/p>\n

Request:\u00a0Could<\/strong>\u00a0you help me?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

May<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

To talk about permission (politely) or possibility.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Permission:\u00a0May<\/strong>\u00a0I go to the bathroom?<\/p>\n

Possibility:\u00a0It\u00a0may<\/strong>\u00a0rain tomorrow.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Might<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

To talk about a small possibility.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

We\u00a0might<\/strong>\u00a0visit grandma this weekend.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Must<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

To talk about necessity or strong obligation.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

You\u00a0must<\/strong>\u00a0wear a seatbelt in the car.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Should<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

To give advice or recommendations.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

You\u00a0should<\/strong>\u00a0eat more vegetables.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Will<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

To talk about future actions or intentions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

I\u00a0will<\/strong>\u00a0call you tomorrow.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Would<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

To talk about imaginary situations or polite offers.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Imaginary:\u00a0If I had more money, I\u00a0would<\/strong>\u00a0buy a house.<\/p>\n

Offer:\u00a0Would<\/strong>\u00a0you like some tea?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\nNegative Forms of Modal Verbs<\/h3>\n

To make modal verbs negative, add not after the modal verb. Note that in speech and informal writing, contractions are usually used. For example:<\/p>\n