Modal verbs Conjugation

Modal Verbs Conjugation | Learn How to Use Modals in English

🔍 What are modal verbs, and how do you conjugate them?
In this lesson, we’ll cover the conjugation and correct usage of modal verbs like can, could, must, may, might, shall, should, will, would, and more!

1️⃣ What Are Modal Verbs?
Modal verbs are auxiliary (helping) verbs that express ability, possibility, necessity, permission, or obligation.

✅ Key Features of Modal Verbs:

They do not change form (no -s, -ed, or -ing).
They are followed by the base verb (without “to”).
They do not use “do” for questions or negatives.
📌 Example:
🚫 He can sings. → ❌ Incorrect
✅ He can sing. → ✔ Correct

2️⃣ Conjugation & Usage of Modal Verbs
Can (Ability)

Present: can
Past: could
Future/Conditional: will be able to
Example: She can swim. / She could swim when she was 5.
Could (Past Ability / Politeness)

Present: could
Past: could
Future/Conditional: could
Example: He could speak Spanish as a child. / Could you help me?
May (Possibility / Permission)

Present: may
Past: might (past)
Future/Conditional: may
Example: You may leave early. / She might have left already.
Might (Possibility)

Present: might
Past: might have
Future/Conditional: might
Example: It might rain today. / He might have forgotten.
Must (Necessity / Strong Probability)

Present: must
Past: had to (past necessity)
Future/Conditional: must
Example: You must wear a seatbelt. / She had to study yesterday.
Shall (Formal Future)

Present: shall
Past: should (past suggestion)
Future/Conditional: shall
Example: I shall return tomorrow.
Should (Advice / Probability)

Present: should
Past: should have
Future/Conditional: should
Example: You should eat more vegetables. / He should have called me.
Will (Future)

Present: will
Past: would (past future)
Future/Conditional: will
Example: She will call you later. / He said he would call.
Would (Hypothetical / Politeness)

Present: would
Past: would have
Future/Conditional: would
Example: I would love to visit Paris. / She would have come if she had time.
3️⃣ Special Notes on Modal Verb Conjugation
✔ Modals don’t take “s” in the third person singular:
🚫 He cans swim. → ❌ Incorrect
✅ He can swim. → ✔ Correct

✔ Negative form: Add “not” directly after the modal verb.
✅ You must not park here.
✅ She should not be late.

✔ Questions: Invert the modal verb and subject.
✅ Can you help me?
✅ Should I call her?

📌 Practice Time!
Try making sentences with these modal verbs in different tenses and share them in the comments!

🎯 Why Watch This Video?
✅ Learn how to conjugate modal verbs correctly.
✅ Understand the different meanings of modals.
✅ Improve your fluency and grammar skills in English.

💬 Got questions about modal verbs? Drop them in the comments, and I’ll help you!
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