Modal Verbs - Definition, Examples, Usage Table and Exercises

Imagine trying to speak without expressing possibility, permission,or necessity; it would be like painting without colour. That’s were the modal verb step in. These special helping verbs—can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would—add layers of meaning to our sentences. Instead of just stating facts, modal verbs allow us to suggest, advise, request, predict, and even dream.

For instance, “You must finish your work” shows obligation, while “You might finish it” shows uncertainty. A simple shift in the modal completely changes the tone. Modals are like emotional filters in language, letting speakers express confidence (will), doubt (might), ability (can), or politeness (could, may).

Interestingly, modal verbs never change form—there’s no “cans” or “musted.” They’re followed directly by the base form of the main verb, keeping things simple yet powerful. They also reflect culture and context. Saying “May I come in?” sounds formal, while “Can I come in?” feels casual. These small choices show how modals shape interaction and tone.

In essence, modal verbs are subtle yet mighty tools. They don’t shout—they guide. Whether you’re writing fiction, asking for a favor, or debating a future plan, modal verbs help express not just what is, but what could be.

What are Modal Verbs - Modal Verbs Definition and examples

Modal verbs are special types of auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) that are used with a main verb to express a particular situation or attitude. These verbs add specific meaning to the main verbs, indicating things like -

• Ability
• Possibility
• Permission
• Obligation
• Suggestion
• Request
• Future Intentions 
• Past Habits

To be specific, modal verbs are used to change the main verb of the sentence in order to express the attitude of a speaker towards action.

For Example, She can run faster than me.

             He could be late for his appointment.

             Will it be sunny tomorrow?

List of Modal Auxiliaries

There are altogether 10 core modal auxiliary verbs that are used in English grammar. Check out the list of modal auxiliaries given below. 

1. Can
2. Could
3. May
4. Might
5. Must
6. Shall
7. Should
8. Will
9. Would
10. Ought to

Modal Verbs Examples

We will understand the modal verb uses with examples given below.

1. She can speak French fluently.
2. Would you like some tea?
3. Could we meet later this evening?
4. May I use the restroom?
5. Might it rain later, so bring an umbrella.
6. You must follow the rules of the contest.
7. Shall we order Chinese for dinner tonight?
8. Should I start working on the report now?
9. I will call you as soon as I arrive.
10. You ought to obey the rules of attendance in college. 

Based on these examples, we can understand that, 

• Can denotes ability 
• Could denotes past ability
• May denotes possibility
• Might denotes past possibility
• Must denotes a strong obligation
• Shall denotes suggestion/offer
• Should denotes advice
• Will denotes future intention
• Ought denotes
• Would denotes a polite request

Key Characteristics of Modal Verbs

• They never change their form - Unlike the regular verb, auxiliary verbs do not take “s” for the third person singular. (e.g., "he cans," "she musts" are incorrect).
• They cannot be used alone (without the main verb) - This means that another verb accompanies them.
• They are always followed by the base form (infinitive without “to”) of the main verb. For example, She can swim. (not, She can to swim)
• They don't have past tense forms in the traditional sense:  There are some auxiliary verbs (like could, might, should, would) that are often referred to as past forms, they primarily express different degrees of possibility, politeness, or hypothetical situations rather than just past time. To express past modality, they are often combined with "have" + past participle (e.g., "He should have gone").
• Negatives are formed by adding "not" after the modal verb: (e.g., "I cannot swim," "You must not park here").
• Questions are formed by inverting the modal verb and the subject: (e.g., "Can you swim?" instead of "Do you can swim?").

Types of modal verbs and their uses

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

Modal Verbs Exercises with Solution

1. When I was a child, I _________ climb that tree easily. (can / could / might)
2. If I won the lottery, I _________ buy a new house. (will / would / can)
3. You _________ better hurry, or you'll miss the bus. (had / must / should)
4. You _________ to inform us of any change in your address. (ought / must / should)
5. The forecast says it _________ snow heavily tonight. (will / may / must)
6. You _________ try that new Italian restaurant; I heard it's excellent. (should / must / will)
7. The company _________ announce its new policy next week. (will / should / must)
8. He _________ not be the right person for the job. (might / should / must)
9. If I were taller, I _________ play basketball professionally. (would / will / can)
10. Before cars were common, people _________ travel by horse and buggy. (used to / would / could)
11. They _________ start their presentation soon. (are going to / have to / must)
12. My grandfather _________ always read the newspaper with his morning coffee. (would / used to / will)
13. I regret to inform you that we _________ be able to process your request without additional documentation. (will not / cannot / should not)
14. He _________ have known better than to trust a complete stranger with such sensitive information. (should / might / would)
15. The government _________ prioritize renewable energy sources to combat climate change effectively. (must / may / will)
16. If the conditions had been more favorable, the climbers _________ have reached the summit. (could / should / would)
17. As a seasoned negotiator, she _________ have anticipated such a counter-offer. (must / should / might)
18. _________ it be advisable to postpone the conference given the current global situation? (Should / May / Will)
19. For a full refund, the item _________ be returned within 30 days of purchase with the original receipt. (must / will / should)
20. Given the lack of evidence, the suspect _________ not have committed the crime. (could / must / should)
21. Under no circumstances _________ you divulge this classified information to unauthorized personnel. (shall / may / will)
22. The detective believes the suspect _________ have been in the vicinity at the time of the robbery. (might / should / would)
23. They _________ never accept such a compromise, given their strong principles. (would / could / should)
24. If the project team is still struggling, we _________ consider bringing in an external consultant. (could / must / should)
25. The data _________ not be accurate; it contradicts all previous findings. (cannot / should not / might not)

Modal Verb Solution

1. When I was a child, I could climb that tree easily. (Expresses past ability)
2. If I won the lottery, I would buy a new house. (Part of a second conditional, expressing a hypothetical outcome)
3. You had better hurry, or you'll miss the bus. (Strong advice, often with an implied warning)
4. You ought to inform us of any change in your address. (Expresses obligation or what is proper/expected, 'to' is already provided)
5. The forecast says it will snow heavily tonight. (Prediction with a degree of certainty based on a forecast)
6. You should try that new Italian restaurant; I heard it's excellent. (Recommendation or advice)
7. The company will announce its new policy next week. (Expresses a future intention or prediction)
8. He might not be the right person for the job. (Expresses a possibility/uncertainty)
9. If I were taller, I would play basketball professionally. (Part of a second conditional, expressing a hypothetical outcome)
10. Before cars were common, people used to travel by horse and buggy. (Expresses a past habit or state that no longer exists)
11. They are going to start their presentation soon. (Expresses a future intention or a prediction based on present evidence)
12. My grandfather would always read the newspaper with his morning coffee. (Expresses a repeated action or habit in the past)
13. I regret to inform you that we cannot be able to process your request without additional documentation. (Expresses inability or impossibility)
14. He should have known better than to trust a complete stranger with such sensitive information. (Expresses criticism or regret about a past action/judgment)
15. The government must prioritize renewable energy sources to combat climate change effectively. (Expresses strong necessity or obligation)
16. If the conditions had been more favorable, the climbers could have reached the summit. (Expresses a past unrealized possibility or potential in a conditional context)
17. As a seasoned negotiator, she should have anticipated such a counteroffer. (Expresses an expectation or mild criticism for a past action/lack of foresight)
18. Should it be advisable to postpone the conference given the current global situation? (Formal way to ask for advice or a recommendation)
19. For a full refund, the item must be returned within 30 days of purchase with the original receipt. (Expresses a strong, external requirement or rule)
20. Given the lack of evidence, the suspect could not have committed the crime. (Expresses logical impossibility based on the available information)
21. Under no circumstances shall you divulge this classified information to unauthorized personnel. (Strong, formal prohibition, often used in official directives)
22. The detective believes the suspect might have been in the vicinity at the time of the robbery. (Expresses a possibility, but with a degree of uncertainty in the speculation)
23. They would never accept such a compromise, given their strong principles. (Expresses a characteristic or strong belief about their typical behavior/unwillingness)
24. If the project team is still struggling, we could consider bringing in an external consultant. (Offers a suggestion or a potential course of action)
25. The data cannot be accurate; it contradicts all previous findings. (Expresses logical impossibility/certainty that something is not true)

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