Modals — Flashcards

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Modals are special auxiliary verbs used with main verbs to express meanings like permission, ability, advice, possibility, or necessity. They cannot stand alone and do not change form. Examples: can, …

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The most common modals are: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, and ought to. These are always followed by a base verb (e.g., 'She **can swim**').

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Modals are not complete verbs. They are auxiliary (helping) verbs and must be followed by a main verb in its base form. For example, we say 'I **can play**' not just 'I can'. However, they can be used…

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We use **may**, **can**, and **could** to ask for permission. 'May I go out?' (formal), 'Can I borrow your book?' (informal), 'Could I leave early?' (very polite). 'Could' is the most polite among the…

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We use **may** and **can** to give permission. 'You **may** go now.' (formal), 'You **can** eat the cake.' (informal). 'May' is more formal than 'can'.

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**Can** and **could** are used to express ability. 'Can' is for present ability: 'I **can swim**.' 'Could' is for past ability: 'He **could run** fast when he was young.'…

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'Can' expresses present ability (e.g., 'She can dance well'). 'Could' expresses past ability (e.g., 'I could climb trees when I was five'). 'Could' can also be used for polite requests, but that's a d…

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**Should** and **ought to** are used to give advice or suggestions. 'You **should** drink more water.' 'We **ought to** respect our elders.' 'Should' is more commonly used than 'ought to'.