What does the modal verb show?

  • Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that express ability, possibility, permission, necessity, or advice.
  • They are used before the main verb to add meaning to the action.

Common Modal Verbs: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must.


  • Ability: Indicates what someone can do.
  • Example: She can swim fast. (shows ability)
  • Possibility: Indicates what might happen or could be true.
  • Example: It might rain tomorrow. (shows possibility)
  • Permission: Indicates whether someone is allowed to do something.
  • Example: May I go to the park? (shows permission)
  • Necessity: Indicates something that must be done.
  • Example: You must finish your homework. (shows necessity)
  • Advice or Recommendation: Indicates what someone should do.
  • Example: You should eat healthy food. (shows advice)

  • Look for the modal verb that comes before the main verb.
  • Example: In the sentence He should study for the test, should is the modal verb, and study is the main verb.

  • Ability: I can ride a bike.
  • Possibility: She may join us for dinner.
  • Permission: You can use my pencil.
  • Necessity: We must leave now to catch the bus.
  • Advice: You should try to read every day.

  • Modal verbs enhance sentences by showing ability, possibility, permission, necessity, or advice.
  • They help express how certain or uncertain we are about an action.

Let’s practice!🖊️