📝 Created by: El Arby Ameur | 📅 August 2026 | 🌐 lesson.tn
📖 Estimated reading time: 8 minutes | Word count: ~1200 words
📖 Modal Verbs Rules: Form, Usage, and Sentence Structure
Level: A2-B1 | Focus: Form, Usage, Rules
Grammar
Modal Verbs
modal verbs
rules
grammar
1. Three Golden Rules of Modal Verbs
- Rule 1: No -s for third person → He can (not cans)
- Rule 2: Followed by base verb (no "to") → I can swim (not can to swim)
- Rule 3: Questions by inversion → Can you help? (not Do you can help?)
2. Modal Verbs Summary Table
• CAN → ability, permission, request
• COULD → past ability, polite request
• MAY → possibility, formal permission
• MIGHT → possibility (less certain)
• MUST → obligation, strong advice
• SHOULD → advice, recommendation
3. Affirmative, Negative, Question Forms
Affirmative: Subject + modal + verb
Negative: Subject + modal + not + verb
Question: Modal + subject + verb?