What Is Modal Verb & Its Examples — A Guide in Learning English

List of Modal Verbs Examples & When They’re Used

MODAL VERBS – You can check here a simplified discussion of this type of verb including its different examples and when they are used.

Among the many subjects that are part of the Philippine educational curriculum, there are those subjects that are taught from kindergarten to college. One of them is English. In fact, when it comes to tertiary education, there are subjects that go deeper in teaching English.

Truth be told that English can be a very complicated subject. The words “rough” and “laugh” sound alike but there are differences in their vowels. The words “cough” and “through” has the same “ough” but they are not pronounced the same, aren’t they?

Thus, it is important to really learn about the eight (8) parts of speech which are the foundations in learning English. They are the nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

Just as the pronouns have its own types like the Subject Pronouns, the verbs also have its own kinds. One of them is the Modal Verb.

Modal Verbs are used to indicate the possibility, necessity, or extent that the action is done or needed. There are several examples under this type of verb and it is easy to mistaken their use for the other. Meanwhile, here is a guide on their examples and use:

Can

This modal verb is used to show an ability, a request, or a permission. Here are the sample sentences:

I can cook while doing the laundry when the schedule really becomes very hectic.
The dog can jump non-stop until you give it some treats.

Could

This modal verb is used to indicate a past ability, a suggestion, or a future possibility. Here are the sample sentences:

Could you please call Mona tomorrow about the event?
You could just drop your offer and see if it works with his firm.

May

This modal verb is used to ask permission or show uncertainty or future possibility. Here are the sample sentences:

May I know who will be attending the party of Rodrigo?
Sheila may arrive late at the meeting because of the unexpected scenario.

Might

Also one of the examples of modal verbs is might which is used used to show or ask permission, make a polite request, or indicate a future possibility. Here are the sample sentences:

Rachelle might like to come with us so please ask her.
Things might be harder in the future so let us start preparing for the worst now.

Shall

Shall is the modal verb that is used in offering an advice or suggestion or raising a question. Here are the sample sentences:

Shall we leave the city early in the morning tomorrow to evade traffic?
Their province shall prosper under Mike’s leadership.

Should

Should is a modal verb that expresses more intensity or strength than shall giving an advice, making a suggestion, or ordering. Here are the sample sentences:

Should we go with you to avoid further hassles in getting the grocery?
Enrico knows that he should call Cathy right away but he did not.

Must

This modal verb indicates an obligation, a necessity, or a future possibility. Here are the sample sentences:

You must find a way to solve the financial problem of the firm as soon as possible.
Tell the children that they must bring mosquito repellants with them at the camp.