Modal Verbs - Meaning, List of Modal Auxiliaries, Usage & Examples

Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb and the modal verbs in English grammar indicate expressing about certain situations. The situations which define modal verb accurately are:  

• Necessity  

• Possibility  

• Probability  

• Ability  

• Permission or requests 

• Suggestions or obligations 

In other words, they are used to change or modify the main verb of the sentence to add a particular use or express the attitude of a speaker toward the action.  

Modal verbs do not change their forms according to the subjects; generally, they follow the base form of the main verb (for example, can go, must be). Also, auxiliaries and modals are more or less the same, since they are essential in providing added weightage to the situation. Knowledge of modal verbs will help applicants ace their IELTS modules that is,

• IELTS Reading
• IELTS Writing
• IELTS Listening
• IELTS Speaking

Want to see what are modal verbs? The below list of modal words will help you to spot them with ease. See the list of modal auxiliaries below: 

• Can 

• Could 

• May 

• Might 

• Will 

• Shall 

• Should  

• Would 

• Must 

• Ought to 

This is the list of modal auxiliaries and they are 10 in total. All these modal verbs are used differently indicating a particular ability, possibility or need.   

Modal Verbs Example 

1. I can finish my KRA before time every month. 
2. You must not eavesdrop on conversations. 
3. She should have spoken about the student’s grievances in the meeting. 
4. We could have gone on a trip if we planned it before. 
5. I may not submit my assignment by the last deadline. 
6. He might bring his guitar at the party so that we can all sing. 
7. I shall not hear a single word from you after this. 
8. The teacher will take classes today. 
9. I would never take things for granted. 
10. You ought to obey the rules of attendance in college. 

Here,  

• ‘Can’ denotes either ability or permission  

• ‘Must’ indicates necessity or a strong recommendation.  

• Other modal verbs - like ‘should, may, might, could, shall and will’, give a variety of meanings to the verb in terms of advice, possibility, and intention of the future.  

Both possibilities and abilities have a frequency. Each modal auxiliary verb solves a specific purpose.

Originally, 10 modal verb types are used in English grammar. Here's a table summarising the meanings and uses of common modal verbs in English along with some modal verbs examples: 

Modal Verbs	Modal Verb Types	Modal Verb Auxiliary with Example
Can	Ability, possibility, permission	I can do this project on my own.  Can I borrow your pen, please?
Could	Past ability, polite requests, possibility	Could you get me a glass of water?
May	Permission, higher possibility	I may be able to wrap this up before dinner.
Might	Lower possibility, suggestion	I might not be able to make it to Sam’s party.
Shall	Formal suggestion, future action (used with "I" or "we")	We shall have banana bread today.
Should	Advice, obligation, expectation	Should I wear this dress for the party?
Will	Future, willingness, strong intention	I will finish my work before going to a movie.
Would	Polite requests, hypothetical situations, past habit	Riya would invite her classmates to her parent’s 25th-anniversary celebrations.
Must	Necessity, strong recommendation, deduction	We must not waste water, because it is a source of sustenance.
Ought to	Obligation, advice (similar to "should")	You ought to meet the Department Head to explain why you missed the seminar.

Table highlighted above is the core meanings and typical contexts where each modal verb is used. Thus, applicants must keep this table handy to understand modal verbs.

There are 10 modal auxiliary verbs and each has a set structure or rule and type of use. Check out the modal auxiliary verbs rule or structure and modal verbs examples below: 

Can: 

Structure: S + can + base form of verb + O 

Usage with examples: 

• Expresses ability: She can swim.  

• Expresses possibility: It can rain today.  

• Asking for permission: Can I leave early? 

Could: 

Structure: S + could + base form of verb + O 

Usage with examples: 

• Past ability: I could run faster two years ago.  

• Polite request: Could you help me? 

• Possibility: It could rain tomorrow. 

Check out the use of Simple Past Tense and how to use could in this context. 

May: 

Structure: S + may + base form of verb + O 

Usage with examples: 

• Permission: May I borrow your pen? 

• Possibility: It may snow later. 

Might: 

Structure: S + might + base form of verb + O 

Usage with examples: 

• Possibility: It might be too late.  

• Suggestion: We might look at this later because it can work. 

Shall:  

Structure: S + shall + base form of verb + O 

Usage with examples: 

• Suggestion or offer: Shall we go for a walk? 

• Future action: I shall return soon. 

Also, check out Future Forms in English grammar and understand why shall is used for future and with I and we only. 

Should: 

Structure: S + should + base form of verb + O 

Usage with examples: 

• Advice: You should study more to get more marks.  

• Obligation: You should be at work by 9:00 a.m..  

• Expectation: The train should arrive soon. 

Will: 

Structure: S + will + base form of verb + O 

Usage with examples: 

• Future action: I will call you later. 

• Willingness: I will help you with your application to the hardest universities in USA.  

• Strong intention: I will never give up on anything. 

Would: 

Structure: S + would + base form of verb + O 

Usage with examples: 

Usage with examples: 

• Polite requests: Would you pass the salt, please?  

• Hypothetical situations: If I were rich, I would travel the world.  

• Past habit: I visited my grandparents every summer when I was young. 

Must: 

Structure: S + must + base form of verb + O 

Usage with examples: 

• Necessity: You must wear a seatbelt.  

• Strong recommendation: You must try this dish! 

• Deduction: He must be at home (because his car is there). 

Ought to: 

Structure: S + ought to + base form of verb + O 

Usage with examples: 

• Obligation: You ought to apologise for your wrongdoings.  

• Advice: You ought to get more sleep to remove dark circles. 

Since using modal verbs is significant for scoring a higher band score on IELTS and across its different sections, aiming for conceptual clarity through example of modals in English grammar elucidated above is equally important.

Common Mistakes to Avoid for Modal Verbs

Many students get confused when choosing the right modal auxiliary verbs. You have multiple options for similar situations, but picking the correct one can be tricky. Do you also end up guessing which modal verb to use?

Incorrect Use of 'Can' and 'May' for Permissions

The modal verbs 'can' and 'may' both ask for permission, but they are not the same. Can is used for informal requests with friends or family. May is used for formal requests in professional settings or with strangers. They shouldnt be used interchangeably.

Incorrect: Can I schedule a meeting with you for tomorrow?
Correct: May I schedule a meeting with you for tomorrow?

(Because this is a formal business situation, you should use 'may' not 'can')

Understand the Possibility of Frequency

When something might happen, you need to choose between 'may' and 'might'. Use 'may' when there is higher chance of something happening. Use 'might' when the chance is lower or when your less sure.

Incorrect: They may consider your application, but it's not guaranteed.
Correct: They might consider your application, but it's not guaranteed.

(Since its not guaranteed, the possibility is low, so use 'might')

Using 'Must' and 'Ought to' Interchangeably

Both 'ought to' and 'should' give advice or suggestions. They have similar meanings but 'ought to' is more formal and not used much in everyday talking. Also dont overuse both in same paragraph because it sounds repetitive.

Incorrect: You should to eat your vegetables.
Correct: You ought to eat your vegetables.

(Note: 'ought to' is already complete, dont add extra 'to' after should)

Overusing 'Will' for Predictions

Many students use 'will' too much when talking about future. Sometimes 'may' or 'might' are better choices, especially when your not 100% sure about something.

Incorrect: It will rain tomorrow, I think.
Correct: I think it may rain tomorrow.

(When you say "I think", it means your not sure, so use 'may' instead of 'will')