use modal verbs

/juːz ˈməʊdəl vɜːbz/

verb phrase

  1. to use modal auxiliary verbs (such as can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would) before a main verb in its base form to express meanings like ability, permission, possibility, obligation, advice, or future.

    B1

    transitive; modal + base verb; modals do not take -s and are not followed by 'to' (except 'ought to'); questions are formed by inversiongrammar

    • "Use modal verbs to ask for permission."A2
    • "I can swim."A2
    • "You should see a doctor."B1
    • "The train might be delayed because of the storm."B2
    • "In formal writing, use modal verbs carefully to avoid making a claim sound too strong."B2

Common mistakes

  • She can swims.→She can swim.

    A modal verb is followed by the base form, not a verb with -s.

  • He must to go.→He must go.

    Do not use 'to' after most modal verbs.

  • Do you can help?→Can you help?

    Form questions by inverting the modal and subject, not with 'do'.

Collocations

modal verbmodal auxiliarybase form