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

Conclusion

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