MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS

DEFINITIONS & USE

Learn a language, and you’ll avoid war. – Arab Proverb

Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries) are special verbs that behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like "work, play, visit..." They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative functions.

WHAT ARE MODAL VERBS?

Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:

• They never change their form. You can't add "s", "ed", "ing"...

• They are always followed by an infinitive without "to" (e.i. the bare infinitive.)

• They are used to indicate modality allow speakers to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability

Modal verbs