Modal verbs
You learn to find the modal verb: might, must, should, will and the others.
How to do the test
- Look for can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will or would.
- It comes before another verb.
- It shows how likely, possible or needed something is.
A worked example
Tap the modal verb. It might rain later.
- It comes before the main verb rain and does not change.
- It shows possibility.
- Might is the modal verb.
More examples
Tap the modal verb. I can swim.
- It comes before the main verb swim and does not change.
- It shows ability.
- Can is the modal verb.
Tap the modal verb. The bus will arrive soon.
- It comes before the main verb arrive and does not change.
- It shows something that is certain to happen.
- Will is the modal verb.
Watch out
You tap the main verb that follows the modal.
The modal comes first and helps the main verb. In it might rain, might is the modal and rain is the main verb.
Tips
- Can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will and would are the modal verbs.
Why it works
A modal verb is a helper that comes before the main verb. It shows how likely, possible or needed something is. Modal verbs never change their shape: there is no mights or musted.