What are the nine English modal verbs?

This short four-lesson course describes and explores modal verbs, which are one of the most important and variable aspects of the verb phrase in the English language. Language tutors understand that modal verbs often pose challenges for learners of English due to their many functions, meanings and grammatical rules. This first lesson therefore discusses the basics of modal verbs, with our second, third and fourth lessons on this topic exploring the importance and challenges of this word type, offering relevant instruction on grammar, types and uses. Once you’ve completed this short course, you may wish to then unlock our beginner, intermediate and advanced worksheets to check your ability and understanding.

What are modal verbs?

While some grammarians believe that modal verbs are unique enough in their form and function to be considered a primary word class such as adjectives or nouns, it’s generally accepted that modals are a special type of verb. As an auxiliary (or assisting) verb, modal verbs are almost always used in combination with other verbs to express modality within a clause or sentence.

Modality is a linguistic feature that communicates a speaker’s attitudes about the world around them, either through judgements, assessments or interpretations as to the believability, reality, obligation or desirability of a proposition. While modality is itself a rather complex linguistic topic, the important aspect to remember here with regards to modal verbs is that there are a limited number of possible verbs for students to learn and a finite number of functions that these verbs express. While such functions are thoroughly explored in detail in Lesson 4 of this course, let’s start by simply observing the three functions provided below