Mastering English Modal Verbs

Learn how to express ability, permission, necessity, obligation, and possibility using auxiliary modal verbs correctly.

Skills & Capacity

Used to express whether someone has the skill or capability to do something.

Can: She can speak three languages.

Could: He could read when he was four. (past ability)

Be able to: I will be able to join tomorrow.

Asking / Granting

Used to request or give permission to do something, varying in politeness levels.

Can: Can I use your phone? (informal)

May: May I be excused? (formal/polite)

Could: Could I open the window?

Rules & Advice

Expressing rules, internal/external requirements, or advice.

Must: You must wear a seatbelt. (internal/strict rule)

Have to: I have to work late today. (external obligation)

Should: You should rest more. (advice)

Probability

Indicating how likely something is to happen or be true based on evidence.

Might/May: It might rain later. (50% chance)

Could: This could be dangerous.

Must: He must be tired. (99% sure)

Mustn't (Prohibition)

You are forbidden from doing something. It is against the rules.

Example: You mustn't park here.

Don't have to (Lack of Necessity)

You are not required to do it, but you can if you want.

Example: You don't have to wear a tie.

Take our interactive practice quizzes to check your mastery of Can, Could, Must, Should, and more.