2.5.1: Modal Verbs
- Page ID
- 122025
Modal Verbs
Can These are the eight modal verbs in English. They are helping
Could verbs; therefore, the negative and the question forms of sen-
Will tences involve using them. They are always followed by the
Would base form of the verb. After the modal verbs, there is always
May another verb, the main verb. Never use to between a modal
Might and the main verb. Also, never add anything to the main
Should verb. Never add s, es, ing, or ed. Never add anything....
Must
Examples
I can teach English.
In this sentence, the main verb is teach. The modal verb is can. Teach says what I do; can says that I have the ability to teach. Notice there is no change when I use he, she, or it.
He can teach English. She can teach English. It can teach English. Notice there is no s or es added to teach.
You must type your homework this weekend.
In this sentence, the main verb is type and the modal verb is must. Type says what you will do this weekend and must says that you have no choice but to do the work. It is an obligation. Notice that there is no to between must and type.
Common Mistakes
She should to make dinner for her family every night.
He must drives his mother to the store tonight
It might raining in New York now.
I could played baseball every day when I was a boy..
I would ate dinner with my mother and father every day.
The girl will be play with her friends after school tomorrow.
All of the above mistakes are wrong because they either add to between the modal verb and the main verb or because they add something to the end of the main verb.