# Modal Verbs: Rules and Examples | SwaVid

Modal verbs: Can, may and could are modals: helping verbs that add a meaning. Rules, examples and a free quick check for Class 6 to 12.

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# Modal verbs: rules and examples

## The rule, step by step

## Check yourself

## Common mistakes

## Frequently asked questions

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### Quick reference

### What is the rule for modal verbs?

### Can you give examples of modal verbs?

### What mistakes do students make in modal verbs?

### Free English grammar test

### More in The Verb

Short answer. Can, may and could are modals: helping verbs that add a meaning. Can shows ability (being able). May and can give permission (being allowed). Could shows ability in the past.

1 . Choose the right word. The test has started, so the teacher said, "You ___ talk now."

2 . Choose the right modal. Our school rule says every student ___ carry an ID card.

Able: can. Allowed: may or can. Able in the past: could.

Can, may and could are modals: helping verbs that add a meaning. Can shows ability (being able). May and can give permission (being allowed). Could shows ability in the past.

You should rest. (advice) You must rest. (the doctor insists)

Wrong: Raghav can speaks three languages. Right: Raghav can speak three languages. (The verb after a modal) Wrong: Last night Anu must finish her project. Right: Last night Anu had to finish her project. (Had to for a past duty)

Your child's level and 3 topics to fix first.

All the topics in this chapter, one rule at a time.

- Ability: can and can't . Can shows what someone is able to do. Can't shows what someone is not able to do.
- Permission: may, can and can't . May or can gives permission. May is more polite. Can't refuses permission: it means you are not allowed.
- Ability in the past . For ability in the past, use could or was able to (were able to with you, we, they). For no ability in the past, use couldn't or wasn't able to.
- The verb after a modal . After a modal, the next verb is always the base form: no s, no -ed, no -ing.
- Advice or duty? . Should, must and have to are modals for what to do. Should gives advice: a good idea. Must and have to show a duty or a rule: no choice. For a duty in the past, use had to.
- You should rest. advice
- You must rest. the doctor insists
- Raghav can speaks three languages. → Raghav can speak three languages. The verb after a modal
- Last night Anu must finish her project. → Last night Anu had to finish her project. Had to for a past duty
- That mustn't be our bus; ours is blue. → That can't be our bus; ours is blue. Sure it is not true: can't
- You mustn't wear a uniform on Saturday. It is a free day. → You don't have to wear a uniform on Saturday. It is a free day. Do not mix them up

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