Modal Verbs | Class 7 english — NEET Foundation Syllabus

What you'll learn

Name and use all 9 modal verbs correctly
Express ability, permission, possibility, and obligation using the right modal
Understand degree differences between similar modals (can vs may, must vs should)
Form negative and question structures with modals

Key concepts

What is a Modal Verb?

Modal verbs are auxiliary (helping) verbs that express the mood of the main verb. They indicate whether an action is possible, permitted, necessary, or probable.

Grammar rules for all modals:

Always followed by the base form (V1) of the main verb — never add -s, -ing, or -ed.
To form a negative: Modal + not + V1.
To form a question: Modal + Subject + V1?
Modals do not change form for any person (no -s for third person).

Correct	Incorrect
She can swim.	She cans swim.
He must go.	He must goes.
They should try.	They should tried.

The 9 Modals and Their Uses

CAN

Ability (present): I can speak French.
Informal permission: You can use my phone.
Possibility (informal): It can get very cold here in winter.

COULD

Ability (past): She could run very fast when she was young.
Polite request: Could you please close the window?
Possibility (weaker than can): It could rain this evening.

MAY

Formal permission: May I come in?
Possibility (50-50): It may rain tomorrow.

MIGHT

Remote possibility (less than 50%): He might call later — I'm not sure.
Past possibility in reported speech: She said it might be true.

SHALL

Future (with I/we, formal): I shall return by 6 p.m.
Offers and suggestions: Shall we begin?

SHOULD

Advice / recommendation: You should eat more vegetables.
Moral obligation (weaker than must): We should respect our elders.
Expectation: The train should arrive by noon.

WILL

Future certainty / decision: I will do my homework now.
Promises: I will never lie to you.
Requests (informal): Will you pass the salt?

WOULD

Polite requests: Would you mind helping me?
Past habitual action: When I was young, I would wake up at 5 a.m.
Conditional (2nd conditional): If I had time, I would travel more.

MUST

Strong obligation / necessity: You must wear a seatbelt.
Logical certainty (deduction): She hasn't eaten all day — she must be hungry.

Degrees of Possibility

Modal	Degree of certainty
will	Near certain (future)
must	Near certain (deduction)
should	Fairly likely
may	50% possibility
might / could	Less than 50%

Degrees of Obligation

Modal	Strength	Example
must	Very strong — necessary	You must pay your taxes.
have to	External compulsion	I have to attend school.
should	Advisable	You should rest.
could / might	Optional suggestion	You could try talking to her.

Negatives with Modals — Meaning Changes

Positive	Meaning	Negative	Meaning
must go	Obligation	must not go	Prohibition (not allowed)
need not go	No obligation	—	—
should go	Advice	should not go	Advice against
can go	Permission	cannot go	Not permitted

Critical distinction: "Must not" = forbidden. "Need not" = not necessary. These are completely different meanings.

Worked Examples

"_____ I borrow your pen?" → May (formal permission request) ✓ "She _____ be at home — her car is in the driveway." → must (logical deduction) ✓ "When I was little, I _____ climb that tree easily." → could (past ability) ✓ "You _____ drive on the wrong side of the road." → must not (prohibition) ✓

Quick check

Fill in: "_____ you help me with this problem?" (polite request)
What is the difference between "may" and "might" in expressing possibility?
Fill in: "You _____ submit your project by Friday." (strong obligation)
Correct this sentence: "She musts leave now."
Which modal expresses a past habit that no longer continues?

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Modals.