How do we form modal verbs?
Modals
Modal verbs are used to express conditions, such as advice, capability, or requests. Modal verbs are used alongside the main verb to change or tell a bit more about it.
For example:
- I play video games every day.
- I can play video games every day.
On the next page, you will learn more about when you need to use a modal verb.
Most frequently used modal verbs:
can - may - might - could - should - would - will - must
Basic rules
- Modal verb + infinitive - to
- Modal verbs never use 'to do'
- No 's' in the third person singular.
- He throws the dice.
- He must throw the dice.
Present Tenses
Present simple
I/You/He/She/We/They... + MODAL VERB + INFINITIVE - TO + ....
- I can play Fortnite every day.
- You should build walls for protection.
- We would like to join your Fortnite clan.
- ...
Present continuous
- I will be playing outside the whole day.
- He must not be thinking about his strategy.
- They may be buying a new monopoly set.
Present perfect (continuous)
I/You/He/She/We/They... + MODAL VERB + HAVE BEEN (+ verb in -ing form) + ...
- I may have been planning this move for a long time.
- He must have been devastated by his defeat.
- They will have been playing RISK for almost 4 hours if he didn't forfeit the game.
Past Tenses
Simple past
Note that you will need to use the past form of the modal verbs. (could, might, should, would
I/You/He/She/We/They... + COULD/WOULD + INFINITIVE - TO
- You could play yesterday,
- Tom would beat me in a game of chess, but I am way better than him now.
Past continuous
I/You/He/She/We/They... + MODAL (past form) + BE + VERB in -ing form
- I should be sleeping, but I want to finish this level.
Future Tenses
The truth is that most of the future
tenses already use modal verbs because they use "will." If you want to
use a different modal verb, such as "can" or "should," you can use it
normally with the infinitive form of the verb, and without will.
Future simple
I/You/He/She/We/They... + WILL/CAN/SHOULD + INFINITIVE - TO
- I will be victorious!
I can hang out tomorrow.
She should make her next move.
Future continuous
I/You/He/She/We/They... + WILL + BE + VERB in -ing form
- You will be waiting in the lobby before entering the game
note: sometimes can and should can also be used in the future continuous.
Questions
MODAL VERB + I/You/He/She/We/They... + INFINITIVE - TO or BE + TO VERB in -ing form
- Will He be able to play catch tonight?
Can I use your hockey club tomorrow?
Should They worry about losing their spot?
