Modal verb meanings,  definition and examples English grammar

Definition of a modal verb

A modal verbs  is a verb that combines with another verb and is used to show possibility, intention, obligation and necessity. Modal verbs, are auxiliary verbs and are know as helping verbs.

Modal verbs list

can, could, must, mustn't, would, have to, shall, ought to, need, dare, don't have to, should, may, might

Modal verbs that are used to express ability

Can, could, was able to are all used to express ability

Modal verbs that are used to express permission

Can, can’t, could, may: modal verbs are all used to ask for permission

Modal verbs that are used to express probability and certainty 

A present tense modal verbs of deduction: must, can’t, may, might, could

A past tense modal verbs of deduction: must have, can’t have, couldn’t have

Modal verbs to express obligation

Should is used to express weak obligation, advice

Should have is used to express something that has not happened in the past

Modal verbs usage and examples 

Modal verbs examples and usage

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Lessons that are related 

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Modal verbs definition and examples and uses English grammar

Modal auxiliaries for possibility and prediction exercise 

Dictionary and how to use dictionaries

Click on the following link for the Online English dictionary - English lesson

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