Modal verbs are for example may, can, must, should, need. They express possibility, permission, desire and other conditions for performing an action (I may, can, must swim).
Many modal verbs cannot be used in all verb tenses in English. This means we need to know what the substitutes for these verbs are.
Modal Verb |
Substitute |
Example |
must |
to have to |
I must swim. = I have to swim. |
must not |
not to be allowed to |
I must not swim. = I am not allowed to swim. |
can |
to be able to |
I can swim. = I am able to swim. |
may |
to be allowed to |
I may swim. = I am allowed to swim. |
need |
to have to |
I need to swim. = I have to swim. |
need not |
not to have to |
I need not swim. = I don't have to swim. |
shall / should/ ought to |
to be supposed to / to be expected to / to be to |
I shall / should / ought to swim. = I am supposed to swim. / I am expected to swim. / I am to swim. |
More articles on English grammar
Learn English from home at a time that suits you:
