Understanding English modal verbs is one of the quickest ways to improve your grammar, confidence, and clarity in daily conversations. Modal verbs can be used in many situations, but many learners still find them confusing. 

This blog will walk you through what modal verbs are, how they work, and how to use them correctly with clear examples.

What Are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are special helping verbs that change the meaning of a main verb. They help show how certain, possible, necessary, or polite something is.

Some learners think modal verbs are difficult, but the rules are actually simple once you know them.

For example:

• She can swim = She is able to swim.
• You must wear a helmet = She is forced to wear a helmet.
• It might rain later = It is possible to rain later.
  

All English modal verbs share the same basic features:

• They do NOT take -s, -ed, or -ing.
• They are always followed by the base form of the verb.
• They do not need “do/does” in questions or negatives.
  

List of Common English Modal Verbs

The most commonly used English modal verbs are:

Rules for Using English Modal Verbs

1. Use the base form of the main verb

A modal verb is always followed by the base form:

• You should study more.
• They might come later.
  

NOT:

• You should to study.
• They might coming.
  

2. No “–s,” “–ed,” or “–ing”

Modal verbs never change form:

• He can swim. (NOT: cans)
• She must go. (NOT: musts)
  

3. Negative forms

Most modal verbs form negatives by adding NOT:

• cannot / can’t
• should not / shouldn’t
• must not / mustn’t
  

Example:

• You mustn’t touch the wire.
  

4. Question forms

Just move the modal verb to the front:

• Can you help me?
• May I sit here?
  

Detailed Examples for EACH Modal Verbs 

1. CAN – Ability, Permission, Possibility

• Ability: She can speak Spanish.
• Permission: You can use my phone.
• Possibility: It can get very cold here.
  

2. COULD – Past Ability, Polite Requests, Possibility

• Past ability: When I was young, I could run fast.
• Polite request: Could you open the window?
• Possibility: It could rain today.
  

3. MAY – Permission & Possibility

• Permission: You may leave early today.
• Possibility: We may travel next month.
  

4. MIGHT – Weak Possibility

• Possibility: I might join the party later.
  

5. MUST – Obligation & Strong Necessity

• Obligation: You must wear a seatbelt.
• Logical conclusion: She must be tired after the trip.
  

6. SHOULD – Advice

• Advice: You should drink more water.
• Expectation: The bus should arrive soon.
  

7. WILL – Future & Promises

• Future: I will call you tomorrow.
• Promise: I will help you with your homework.
  

8. WOULD – Polite Requests & Unreal Situations

• Request: Would you like some tea?
• Hypothetical: I would travel more if I had time.
  

Common Mistakes You “Should” Avoid

Mistake 1: Adding “to”

Incorrect: You must to study.
=> Correct: You must study.

Mistake 2: Changing the verb form

Incorrect: She can speaks.
=> Correct: She can speak.

Mistake 3: Using “do/does”

Incorrect: Do you can swim?
=> Correct: Can you swim?

Practice Time!

Fill in the correct modal verb:

1. You ________ see a doctor. (advice)
   
2. He ________ drive when he was 18. (past ability)
   
3. It ________ snow tonight. (possibility)
   
4. ________ you pass the salt? (polite request)
   
5. Students ________ not leave early. (obligation)
   

Master English Modal Verbs with ELSA Speak

Learning English modal verbs becomes much easier when you hear them, speak them, and practice them in real conversations. That is where ELSA Speak helps. With instant feedback on pronunciation and speaking patterns, you can practice sentences with “can”, “could”, “must”, “should”, and many more until they feel natural.
ELSA Speak updates lessons regularly, so you always stay confident and up to date with everyday English anytime, anywhere.