Modals

We use these auxiliary verbs to talk about ability, probability, necessity, seek or give permission, or obligation. They cannot function as a main verb and cannot be conjugated unlike other auxiliary verbs. When the preposition ‘to’ is added to an auxiliary verb, the resulting phrase is called a semi-modal or modal phrase.

The modal auxiliary verbs are:

Can

May

Shall

Must

Will

Could

Might

Should

Would

Examples of modal phrases are:

Need to

Ought to

Have to

Be able to