Intermediate 1 ESOL Grammar

Modal Verbs

Modal Verbs

What are modal verbs? must may will shall can could would should might

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs:usually come before another verb

I might go to the library now.

are used with the infinitive but without the ‘to’I might go to the library now. not I might to goto go to the library now.

He can read French. not He can to readto read French.

Modal Verbs

How do you form a modal verb?

The same form is used for all:

I/you/he/she/it/we/they can I/you/he/she/it/we/they would I/you/he/she/it/we/they could I/you/he/she/it/we/they will I/you/he/she/it/we/they might

Modal Verbs

How do you form negatives?The negatives are:

cannot/can’t will not/won’t, shall not/shan’t (usually only with I or We)

could not/couldn’t would not/wouldn’t should not/shouldn’t must not/mustn’t might not, no short form may not, no short form

Modal Verbs

How do you form questions with modal verbs?

Change the word order:

She can swim.

Can she swim? He will pass the test.

Will he pass the test? I can help you.

Can I help you?