Modal verbs

modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that can’t work as a normal verb instead
of auxiliary verbs “be”, “do”, “have”. They can work as normal verbs.

The modal verbs include can, must, may, might, could, would, should.
They are used with other verbs to express ability, obligation, possibility,
and so on. Below is a list showing the most useful modals and their
most common meanings:

Modal Meaning Example affirmative

can to express ability I can speak a little Russian.
can to request permission Can I open the window?
may to express possibility I may  be home late.
may to request permission May I sit down, please?
must to express obligation I must go now.
must to express strong belief She must be over 90 years old.
should to give advice You should stop smoking.
would to request or offer I would like a cup of tea
Could To express ability or I couldn’t sleep last night
possibility in
The past
Negative form of the modal verbs
can’t: ability e.g. I can’t speak Portuguese
may not: possibility e.g. you may not be home late
mustn’t e.g. obligation she mustn’t go
shouldn’t e.g. advice they shouldn’t smoke
wouldn’t e.g. request-offer I wouldn’t be part of that team
yes-no questions form with modal verbs
as always do in general to make questions with modal verbs what we do to change
the position of the pronoun and the modal that we are using e.g.
can I watch t.v? yes, you can no, you can’t
may I talk to you? Yes, you may no, you may not
must I go to the university? Yes, you must no, you must not
should we help? Yes, you should no, you shouldn’t
would you like to study with me?