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In English grammar, a modal is a verb that combines with another verb to indicate mood or tense. A modal, also known as a modal auxiliary or modal verb, expresses necessity, uncertainty, possibility, or permission.  

Pure Modals

Pure modals never change their form regardless of subject and don't change to show past tense. These verbs can express certainty or suggestion. Pure modals are followed by a bare infinitive, an infinitive verb without "to". See below for examples.  

I can sing. Bob can sing. I found out they can sing.  

Modal verbs can also be used in the negative by adding "not", as in I can not sing.  

I should go. She should go. We should go.  

Most linguists agree that there are 9 pure or core modals in English:  

• can  
• could  
• may  
• might  
• must  
• shall  
• should  
• will  
• would  

Modal Usage and Examples  

Modals are commonly used to express your degree of certainty about an outcome or the possibility of something. When using modals, keep in mind that they should always appear first in a verb phrase. Consider these two examples:  

Kim must be his sister because they look just like each other.  

I will probably be there, but I can't make any promises.  

You should go to that cafe some time, I think you'd really like it.  

In the first example, the speaker is making a statement as if it were a matter of fact. In the second example, the statement implies a degree of uncertainty that excuses the speaker from an obligation.  

The same modal verbs that can be used to express only some certainty or possibility can also express absolute conviction and resolve, which makes mastering modals tricky. For example, consider the modal verb should go and how it's used in this sentence:  

The bank closes in 15 minutes. We should go there now.  

This modal is now expressing a strong degree of obligation. The speaker knows they need to go to the bank if they're going to get there before it closes.

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