But first, what is a Modal verb?
Modal verbs are special verbs which behave very differently from normal verbs. For example: Can, Might, Should, Must, May, Ought and a few more.
Let’s see some important differences between Modal Verbs, and normal verbs:
Modal verbs do not take “-s” in the third person.
E.g.: He can speak Chinese.
She should be here by 9:00.
You use “not” to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past.
E.g.: He should not be late.
They might not come to the party.
Many of these verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses.
E.g.: He will can go with us. Not Correct
She musted study very hard. Not Correct
Most modal verbs, except for ought, are followed by the verb without to.
E.g. Gallaudet should to build a new computer center.
Modal verbs have no infinitive or -ing form.
E.g. My teacher can singing well. Not Correct
My teacher can sing very well. Correct
They make questions and negative forms without using do/did:
E.g. May I see that? / You mustn’t shout. (must not)
On our the next post about modal verbs, we will discuss how to write sentences using these verbs and their uses, prediction, obligation, ability, permission, etc.
