Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that add meaning to the main verb in a sentence, indicating things like ability, possibility, permission, necessity, or intent. Here’s a breakdown of the most common modal verbs and their uses, with examples:
1. Can – Shows ability or permission.
Example: "She can swim very fast." (ability)
Example: "Can I borrow your pen?" (permission)
2. Could – Indicates past ability or a polite request; can also suggest possibility.
Example: "When I was young, I could run a mile in six minutes." (past ability)
Example: "Could you pass the salt?" (polite request)
3. May – Grants permission or indicates a possibility.
Example: "You may leave early today." (permission)
Example: "It may rain later." (possibility)
4. Might – Suggests a lower likelihood of possibility than "may."
Example: "She might join us for dinner." (possibility)
5. Shall – Often used to indicate future intent, especially with "I" or "we."
Example: "I shall finish my homework by evening."
6. Should – Expresses advice, expectation, or obligation.
Example: "You should wear a jacket; it's cold outside." (advice)
7. Will – Indicates future actions, promises, or determinations.
Example: "They will arrive tomorrow morning." (future intent)
8. Would – Used for polite requests, hypothetical situations, or past habits.
Example: "Would you like some coffee?" (polite request)
Example: "As a child, he would often go fishing with his father." (past habit)
These modals do not change form for different subjects, and they are followed by the base form of the main verb.
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