How to use modal verbs in English

In this English grammar lesson you will learn how we use modal verbs in English

We use modal verbs when we talk about:

I can’t answer the phone at the moment. My hands are dirty.

I could swim when I was three years old.

You must have seen him. He was standing right next to you.

You should/ought to call your mother more often.

You must wear a seatbelt when travelling by car.

May I go to the bathroom?

May I use your phone to call home?

I finish work at 7pm so I might be late for dinner.

You can’t go to a night club. You are only 16 years old.

We also use modal verbs when we request things

Examples:

Could you close the door? It’s cold.

and when we suggest things or make an offer.

Examples:

Shall we take your car to the party?

We don’t use modal verbs with ‘to’…

I must go now.

and questions with ‘do’

Must we go now?

Here’s another grammar lesson for you to study.

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