Modal verbs are helping verbs that express obligation, permission, possibility, and ability.[1]https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/verbs/modal-verbs/
Can/Can’t
“Can” is used in many different situations.
Positive
Subject + can + base verb
Negative
Subject + can’t + base verb
Question
Can + subject + base verb
When do you use it?
Possibility
- I can run very fast.
- She can speak French
- They can visit us.
Impossibility
- We can’t eat that food.
- He can’t call us.
- It can’t be done.
Ask for Permission
- Can you help me with my homework?
- Can they come with us?
- Can we get ice cream?
Give Permission
- You can eat some dessert.
- They can come to our house.
- She can borrow our car.
Could/Couldn’t
In the present tense, the modal verb “could” is used to:
Ask for Permission
Could + subject + base verb (this is a polite way to ask for permission)
- Could I talk to her?
- Could I have their number?
- Could I have an appointment?
Give a Suggestion
Subject + could + base verb
- You could fly tomorrow.
- You could ask the manager.
- You could take the tour of the park tomorrow.
Would Like/Wouldn’t Like
The modal of “would like” is used to show if someone is interested in something (object).
Positive
Subject + would like + object
Negative
Subject + wouldn’t like + object
Question
Would + subject + like + object
Would Like To/Wouldn’t Like To
The modal of “would like to” shows if someone is interested in doing something (action).
Positive
Subject + would like + to + infinitive
Example:
- I would like to swim right now.
- She would like to eat lunch.
- They would like to visit us next summer.
Negative
Subject + wouldn’t like + to + infinitive
Example:
- I wouldn’t like to go there by myself.
- John wouldn’t like to meet you.
- We wouldn’t like to eat vegetables.
Question
Would + subject + like to + infinitive?
- Would you like to come with me?
- Would they like to eat dinner with us?
- Would she like to talk?
Practice Exercises
References