Modal Verbs in English: Usage and Examples

Posted on Feb 13, 2025 in English

Modal Verbs: Can, Could, May, Might, Must, Have to, and Ought To

Using *Can*

Can indicates ability or possibility.

Examples:

  • I can speak English.
  • The doctor can see you at 3:00.
  • Can you speak German?

Syntax:

  • Affirmative: subject + can + verb
  • Negative: subject + cannot / can’t + verb
  • Question: can + subject + verb?
  • Short answer: Yes, subject + can. / No, subject + can’t.

Using *Could*

Could is the past tense of can. It is also used to ask for something politely (more polite than can).

Examples:

  • Could you speak Japanese before you went to Japan?
  • Tony could swim when he was six.
  • Could you help me?

Syntax:

  • Affirmative: subject + could + verb
  • Negative: subject + could not / couldn’t + verb
  • Question: could + subject + verb?
  • Short answer: Yes, subject + could. / No, subject + couldn’t.

Using *May*

May is used to express that something is possible or likely. It is used for the present or future. It is also used to ask for permission (more formal than could).

Examples:

  • I may stay at home, or I may go to a disco.
  • May I use your dictionary?

Syntax:

  • Affirmative: subject + may + verb
  • Negative: subject + may + not + verb
  • Question: May + subject + verb?

Using *Might*

Might is the past tense of may. It is also used to express a possibility (often a smaller possibility than *may*).

Examples:

  • Be careful. You might burn yourself.

Syntax:

  • Affirmative: subject + might + verb
  • Negative: Subject + might not / mightn’t + verb

Using *Must*

Must is used when we believe something is necessary or very likely. The negative form expresses prohibition. For past or future tenses, we use have to.

Examples:

  • I am really tired. I must go home now.
  • You must keep your room tidy.

Syntax:

  • Affirmative: subject + must + verb
  • Negative: subject + must not / mustn’t + verb
  • Question: must + subject + verb?
  • Short answer: Yes, subject + must. / No, subject + mustn’t.

Using *Have to*

Have to is used to express necessity. To form questions and negatives, we use the auxiliary verb do. The past tense is had to.

Examples:

  • You have to drive on the right in the USA.
  • I don’t have to wear a uniform at school.
  • Did you have to work yesterday?

Syntax:

  • Affirmative: subject + have to + verb
  • Negative: subject + do not / don’t + have to + verb
  • Question: Do + subject + have to + verb?
  • Short answer: Yes, subject + do. / No, subject + don’t.

Using *Ought to*

Ought to expresses duty or expectation.

Examples:

  • I think I ought to tell him.
  • She ought to pass the exam.

Syntax:

  • Affirmative: subject + ought to + verb
  • Negative: subject + ought not / oughtn’t to + verb
  • Question: Ought + subject + to + verb?
  • Short Answer: Yes, subject + ought to. / No, subject + oughtn’t to.