1. Modal and related verbs
4.3
Modal and related verbs
1 These are the modal verbs.
They are used before other verbs and add meanings such as:
2 Form
She can speak Urdu.
Where should we go?
You mustn’t lie.
can could may might
will would shall should
must ought to
certainty
possibility
obligation
ability
permission
There is no -s in the third person singular.
There is no do/does/don’t/doesn’t in the
question or negative. 1

2. Modal and related verbs
4.3
Modal and related verbs
Followed by the infinitive without to.
The exception is ought to.
No infinitives and no -ing forms. Other
expressions are used instead.
No past forms. Use them with Perfect
infinitives or use other expressions.
I might go to Moscow.
She ought to exercise more.
He hopes to be able to join us.
You should have listened.
He had to find a job.
I could ride a bike when I was five.
I was able to hire a bike when I was in Vienna.
Could is used with a past meaning to express a general ability.
We use was able to/managed to to talk about ability on one specific occasion. 2

3. Modal and related verbs
4.3
Modal and related verbs
3 Modal verbs express our attitudes, opinions and judgements.
‘Where’s my camera?’
‘John has it.’
‘John might have it.’
4 Each modal verb has at least two meanings. All of them are used to express possibility or probability.
We must hurry.
He must be very happy.
Could you lend me your phone?
We could buy a new computer.
This is a fact.
This is an attitude or opinion.
(obligation)
(deduction, probability)
(request)
(possibility) 3