How do you ask for your mother’s permission to go out and play? Or how do you ask for your teacher’s permission to enter the class? You form sentences with words like can, may, would, etc., right?
These words are known as Modal Auxiliary Verbs. We use them in our day-to-day language to show modality, i.e., likelihood, permission, ability, necessity and obligation. They are used for forming tenses, questions, passives, etc.
10 Types of Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Let us look at the 10 major types of Modal Auxiliary Verbs and understand their use.
| Types | Examples |
| Can | We can do the homework together at my place. |
| Could | George could have brought the package on his way back home. |
| May | You may sit comfortably wherever you like. |
| Might | Mia might go to the salon tomorrow. |
| Must | The dinner must be ready before the guests arrive. |
| Shall | We shall visit the zoo tomorrow. |
| Should | We should keep our surroundings clean. |
| Will | I will help my mother in cleaning the house this Sunday. |
| Would | Would you like to have some tea or coffee? |
| Ought to | It ought to be cold outside. |
Now let us consider their negative forms of common modal auxiliary verbs.
| Types | Examples |
| Cannot | I cannot go against my moral values. |
| Couldn’t | Dory couldn’t do such an easy step. |
| May not | Our teacher may not allow us in the class if we get late. |
| Might not | My father might not allow me to stay outdoors for so long. |
| Must not | We must not show our weaknesses to the opponents. |
| Shall not | I shall not come to the school tomorrow as I’m unwell. |
| Shouldn’t | We shouldn’t touch their belongings without permission. |
| Won’t | My neighbor won’t let me play with his dog. |
| Wouldn’t | Oliver wouldn’t accept defeat in any way. |
| Ought not to | It ought not to be cold outside. |
With this you must have understood their use and noticed how the modal auxiliary verbs facilitate the main verbs for suggesting potential, expectation, permission, ability, possibility, and obligation.
Learn more about the rules and uses with the fantastic activity worksheets at EnglishBix.