B2-C1 Modal verbs | Quick Explanation + Worksheet

Modal verbs help us describe and talk about the attitude of the speaker of the world that surrounds them. This is the reason the speaker can talk about certainty, possibility, obligation, necessity and ability by using modal expressions.

The use of modals help the speaker sound more accurate or vague in their opinions and statements. Modal verbs offer great versatility in terms of expressing one’s opinion.

Here are a few core modals that are used very frequently:

Types of Modal verbs

All the different types of modals will help us express what we want to say exactly the way we would like to express ourselves.

Probability

Modal verbs of probability are the ones that might be a bit problematic to use because talking about the certainty of something happening is always difficult. We often also call these ‘modals of speculation’

MIGHT

MAY

COULD

MUST

CAN’T

Examples:

It can’t be him who I saw at the party. He was in London at the time

You can use these verbs in the past by adding HAVE+PAST PARTICIPLE

I may have broken the kitchen window

Permission

MIGHT

MAY

COULD

CAN

May I come in?

Obligation

We could use these modals also to give advice.

MUST – It’s a rule

HAVE TO – It’s necessary to do something

OUGHT TO – It’s a good idea to do something

NEED TO – It’s necessary

You must stay seated at all time during the ride

Advice

SHALL – Only 1st person singular and plural

SHOULD

MIGHT*

OUGHT TO*

*These modals are used in formal English

Shall we go to the movies?

Prohibition

MUSTN’T

CAN’T

We can’t go out because there’s too much pollution

Volition

WILL

SHOULD

WOULD

We would go, if we could

Download out Worksheet to practise using Modals.

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