Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are types of auxiliary verbs which express necessity, ability, permission or possibility. We also use them to make requests and offers. The most common modal verbs are can, may and must. Modal verbs don't have a past form (except can) and a past participle (3rd form). You can only use them with the present tense. When you use other tenses you have to replace them.
CAN - MAY - MUST
No -s after he, she, it
He can speak English. - She may go there. - It must sleep now. - My sister can juggle.
No do, does in questions and negation
Can you come? Sorry, I cannot. - May he come to your party? No, he must not.
She cannot come at 10.
Replacements:
can → to be able to
must → have to
may → to be allowed to
CAN – TO BE ABLE TO
I can drive. = I am able to drive.
Present tense - Past tense
I am able to drive. - I was able to drive.
He, she, it is able to drive. - He, she, it was able to drive.
You, we, they are able to drive. - You, we, they were able to drive.
Present perfect - Will - future
I have been able to drive. - I will be able to drive.
He, she, it has been able to drive. - He, she, it will be able to drive.
You, we, they have been able to drive. - You, we, they will be able to drive.
MUST – HAVE TO
I must study. = I have to study.
Present tense - Past tense
I, you, we, they have to study. - I, you, we, they had to study.
He, she, it has to study. - He, she, it had to study.
Present perfect - Will – future
I, you, we, they have had to study. - I, you, we, they will have to study.
He, she, it has had to study. - He, she, it will have to study.
MAY – BE ALLOWED TO
I may go out. = I am allowed to go out.
Present tense - Past tense
I am allowed to go. - I was allowed to go.
He, she, it is allowed to go. - He, she, it was allowed to go.
You, we, they are allowed to go. - You, we, they were allowed to go.
Present perfect - Will – future
I have been allowed to go. - I will be allowed to go.
He, she, it has been allowed to go. - He, she, it will be allowed to go.
You, we, they have been allowed to go. - You, we, they will be allowed to go.
| NOTE: | Positive | Negative |
| I may | I must not | |
| I must | I need not |
EXERCISES
Modal Verbs - Exercise 1 - can, may, must
Modal Verbs - Exercise 2 - can, may, must
Modal Verbs - Exercise 3 - mixed verbs
Modal Verbs - Exercise 4 - mixed verbs
Modal Verbs - Exercise 5 - mixed verbs
Modal Verbs - Exercise 6 - can, need, must and should
Question Tags with modal verbs - Exercise
Modal verbs - multiple choice exercise 1 - could, should, might
To be allowed to - multiple choice exercise - mixed tenses