Verbs: Modals

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A modal is a verb used to express the mood or attitude of a speaker. Modals help show ideas such as permission, ability, advice, request, and necessity.

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Modals are usually followed by a main verb. The main verb comes in root form. For example: should visit, must attend, may use, can park, may take, could open.

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A modal cannot stand alone except in a question tag. For example: You can lift this box, can't you? Here, the modal can is used alone in the tag.

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No. Modals do not change form with the person or number of the subject. For example: I must go, he must go, we must go, and they must go.

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The main verb after a modal must be in root form. Present participle, past form, and past participle are not used after a modal.

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Should is used for advice or suggestion. Example: "You should regularly visit your dentist." It gives a helpful suggestion about what is the right thing to do.

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Must expresses necessity or compulsion. Example: "They must attend tomorrow’s meeting." It shows that something is necessary or required.

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Must suggests the desire of the speaker. Have to suggests an external compulsion, such as a rule or authority. Example: "You must pay the dues on time." and "In the army you have to polish your shoes …