Modal verbs
- Modals are helping verbs: can, could, may, might, must, should, will, would.
- They show ability (can), permission (may), obligation (must), advice (should).
- A modal is followed by the base verb: She can swim.
Key idea
Modal verbs (can, must, should, may) express ability, permission, obligation or advice and are followed by the base verb.
Remember
A modal is always followed by the base form of the verb.