Modal Verbs
Cours · anglais (2 Bac, Maroc), chapitre 3 · Maroc, 2e année du Bac · le début du chapitre, la suite sur Adloun
Modal verbs are small helping verbs (can, could, may, might, must, should...) that we put before a main verb to add meaning: ability, permission, obligation, advice, possibility or deduction. This unit reviews the modals you need for the Bac and the subtle differences between them.
3.1 The Grammar of Modals
A modal is always followed by the base verb (no to, no -s, no -ed): She can swim. Modals have no -s in the third person and no past -ed. Negatives add not directly (cannot, must not) and questions invert the modal (Can you...?).
- He can drive. — not He cans drive / He can drives.
- They should study. — Must I leave now?
- We may not enter without a ticket.
When a modal has no form of its own, we use a substitute: be able to replaces can, and have to replaces must. This is how we make a future or perfect: I will be able to help / I had to wait.
3.2 Ability: can / could / be able to
can = ability in the present. could = ability in the past (general ability). be able to is used where can has no form (future, perfect, after another modal).
- I can speak three languages. (present ability)
- When she was five, she could read already. (past general ability)
- After the course you will be able to code. (future)
For a single success in the past, use was/were able to or managed to, not could: The door was locked, but I was able to open it (one specific achievement).
3.3 Permission: can / may / could
can asks or gives permission informally. may is more formal/polite. could is a polite way to ask (but not to give) permission.
- Can I borrow your pen? (informal)
- May I come in, please? (formal, polite)
- Could I ask you a question? (polite request)
- You may leave when you finish. (giving permission)
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