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See also: [ Ability ] [ Advice ] Might and May for Possibility ] Modals of Obligation and  Prohibition ] Permission - Prohibition ]
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Modal verbs are a special sort of helping or auxiliary verb. Modal verbs are always followed by the simple form of the main verb, (except in short answers).
The simple form of the verb is the infinitive without "to". e.g. not "to learn", but "learn".

You can find the infinitive and simple forms of most verbs by thinking of the 1st person present simple.
e.g. "I learn", infinitive = "to learn",
simple form = "learn

The exception is the verb "to be".

Modal verbs do not have an infinitive form.   e.g. "to can", "to will,"  are wrong!

You do not use the auxilliary verb "to do" for questions and negatives when using modal verbs. You use the modal verb itself as the helping verb.

Modal verbs are not a complete verb form by themselves. Modal verbs change the meaning of the main verb.
Modal verbs express a wide range of meanings.

Most modals have more than one meaning.


[Subject] [Modal][Simple form of Verb]  [Object]
Ayesha      can               speak                    English.
Ayesha      could            speak                    English.
Ayesha      may              speak                    English.
Ayesha      might            speak                    English.
Ayesha      should          speak                    English.
Ayesha      must             speak                    English.
Ayesha      will               speak                    English.
Ayesha      would           speak                    English.
The modal verbs can, could, may, might, should, must, will, would and shall are followed by the simple form of a verb.  They are not followed by to.
WRONG:  Ayesha can to speak English.

The main verb never has a final -s.
WRONG:  Ayesha can speaks English.

For the negative, use not:  Ayesha can not speak French.

For simple questions the subject and the modal verb change places:
"Can Ayesha speak English?

There is much more to  know about modal auxiliary verbs.  Ask your teacher.

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Page Last Modified by Douglas McPherson: 19 March 2004 at 00:00:00