modal verb

/ˈmoʊdəl vɜːrb/

noun

  1. A verb such as 'can', 'must', 'should', or 'might' that is used with another verb to express possibility, necessity, permission, or obligation. Modal verbs do not change form and are followed by the base form of the main verb.

    B1

    countable; usually singular

    • "You must finish your homework before going out."A2
    • "She might be at home right now."B1
    • "The committee should carefully reconsider its decision."C1

Common mistakes

  • I can to swim.→I can swim.

    Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the main verb without 'to'.

Collocations

modal auxiliarymodal verb listuse a modal verb

Word family

modalmodalityauxiliary verb