The Ultimate Guide to Modal Verbs: can(’t)/could(n’t)/would(n’t)

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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

 14%

Question 1 of 7

1. The students ____ buy their school books at the school bookstore.

Question 1 of 7

Question 2 of 7

2. ____ you ____ participate?

Question 2 of 7

Question 3 of 7

3. ____ it be ok if I stay at your house for a few nights?

Question 3 of 7

Question 4 of 7

4. I ____ like to go to the amusement park by myself.

Question 4 of 7

Question 5 of 7

5. I ____ like to go the amusement park tomorrow.

Question 5 of 7

Question 6 of 7

6. ____ you please help me fix my car? (polite)

Question 6 of 7

Question 7 of 7

7. ____ Fred run really fast?

Question 7 of 7


 

Conclusion

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