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class="featured-image-wrap"> <img src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/stock-4-5-1024x683.jpeg" height="auto" style="-moz-border-radius:10px;-webkit-border-radius:10px;border-radius:10px;margin-bottom:40px;" alt="modal verbs" /> </div> </div> </div> <div bind="80e03a2d-a20f-6efc-c0d9-14bc49b22dd9" class="article-body wf-section"> <div bind="bc878838-ab40-9492-e3bd-2479e727ee0e" class="article-body"> <div bind="bc0209be-976e-1d43-38b0-3a9a8847699c" class="container w-container"> <div bind="085bf5dc-f87e-1752-2b64-0aa48fd35121" class="w-richtext"> <p><strong>What are modal verbs? How do modal verbs work?</strong> <a href="https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/verbs/modal-verbs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Modal verbs</a> are perhaps <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/a-vs-the/">the</a> most confusing part of the English language. It is perplexing, especially for non-native speakers who <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-have/">have</a> never <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-hear/">heard</a> of them.</p> <p>Do <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personal-pronouns/">you</a> know when <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/to-vs-too/">to</a> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/use-vs-utilize/">use</a> ‘can’ or ‘may’? What about ‘would’ versus ‘could’? Modal verbs <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/may-vs-can/">may</a> seem confusing, but the English language can’t do without them. </p> <p>So, it is crucial to understand how and <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/where-vs-were/">where</a> to use them. Not to mention the differences between them, and how to recognize them to make your writing clearer and more effective.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="441" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb.png" alt="Modal verb" class="wp-image-5335" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb.png 800w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb-300x165.png 300w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb-768x423.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption>Modal <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/what-is-a-verb/">verb</a></figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-are-modal-verbs"></span><strong>What are modal verbs?</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="definition"></span><strong>Definition</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p><a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/modal-verbs-and-modality" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Modal verbs</a> are auxiliary verbs that modify the mood or tone of the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/what-is-a-sentence/">sentence</a>. They come from different <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parts-of-speech/">parts of speech</a> and can be used as auxiliaries and main verbs. These words include can, could, might, may, must, and should. </p> <p>For example, if you wanted to say, “I <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-think/">think</a> I will be able to do it”, you <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/would-vs-will/">would</a> use ‘can’ as the modal verb instead of using ‘will be able to.’</p> <p>If you wanted to say, “It is possible that they will come tonight,” you would use ‘might’ as the modal verb.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="difference-between-modal-and-regular-verbs"></span><strong>Difference between Modal and Regular verbs</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Regular verbs are verbs that have a definite tense and person. They also happen to be the most common type of verb in English. Regular verbs mostly end in either ‘-ed’, ‘-d’, or ‘-t’. ‘He walked,’ ‘She talked,’ and ‘I wanted to’ are all examples of Regular verbs. </p> <p><a href="https://langeek.co/en/grammar/course/624/modal-verbs-vs-normal-verbs#:~:text=The%20main%20difference%20between%20normal,only%20verb%20of%20the%20sentence." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Modal verbs are different from regular verbs</a> in that they can’t be conjugated as such. They only exist in the present tense and don’t change with a person, tense, or number. That means you will never <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-see/">see</a> them ending in ‘-ed’, ‘-d’, or ‘-to.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-are-modal-auxiliary-verbs"></span><strong>What are Modal Auxiliary Verbs?</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>Auxiliary verbs are usually used in <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjunctions/">conjunction</a> with the main verb of a sentence. They are also called ‘helping verbs’ <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/is-because-a-conjunction/">because</a> they help express what the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subject-of-a-sentence/">subject</a> is doing. </p> <p>Auxiliary verbs also give more information about tense and other aspects of time. Some examples of auxiliary verbs are ‘could,’ ‘have,’ ‘should have,’ and ‘might have.’</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="441" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb-1.png" alt="Functions of a modal verb" class="wp-image-5334" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb-1.png 800w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb-1-300x165.png 300w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb-1-768x423.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption>Functions of a modal verb</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="functions-of-modal-verbs"></span><strong>Functions of Modal Verbs</strong><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>The modal verbs have <a href="https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/verbs/modal-verbs-key-types-how-they-function" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">various functions</a>, some of <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-before-which/">which</a> are as follows:</p> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>They can add information about the first person’s attitude.</li><li>They can be <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/used-to/">used to</a> imply politeness, especially when something is being requested.</li><li>They can be used for emphasis.</li><li>They can create hypothetical situations.</li></ol> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="what-are-the-types-of-modal-verbs"></span>What are the <a href="https://oxfordhousebcn.com/en/4-different-types-of-modal-verbs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">types of Modal Verbs</a>?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/there-their-theyre/">There</a> are five main modal verbs: the verb ‘Can’, the verb ‘May’, the verb ‘Must’, the verb ‘Shall’, and the verb ‘Will’.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="1-can-ability"></span>1. Can (Ability):<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>It is one of the most common modal verbs. It is used in affirmative as well as negative sentences. For example, “I can play the piano” and “I <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/cannot-or-can-not/">can not</a> play the piano.”</p> <p>In affirmative sentences, ‘can’ implies that somebody <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/has-vs-have/">has</a> the ability or skill to do something. In negative sentences, ‘can’ implies that they do not have the ability or skill to perform that particular task.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="2-may-permission"></span>2. May (Permission):<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p><strong>‘</strong>May’ is a modal verb that <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/lets-or-lets/">lets</a> you talk about possibility. It is followed <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/bye-vs-by/">by</a> the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/inifitives/">infinitive</a> of the main verb in the sentence. It means something along the lines of ‘to have permission to do something’ or ‘to be allowed to do.’</p> <p>For example, “You may borrow my pen.” In this sentence, you are granting somebody else permission to borrow your pen.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="3-must-obligation"></span>3. Must (Obligation):<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>The verb ‘must’ is another modal verb. It is used to show obligation, duty, or necessity. </p> <p>For example, “You must <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/what-is-the-past-participle-of-go/">go</a> wherever your duty calls.” In this sentence, the verb ‘must’ indicates that there is <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/a-or-an/">an</a> obligation for the second person to go.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="4-shall-polite-requests"></span>4. Shall (Polite Requests):<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>It is the most formal of all modals. It is used to make polite requests or give instructions. It differs from other modal verbs in how <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/less-vs-fewer/">less</a> frequently it is used in everyday speech. </p> <p>For example, you might say “I shall call you later” when speaking to someone you don’t know very well. But most of the time, you are likely to use “I will call you later” instead.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="5-will-intentionwillingness"></span>5. Will (intention/willingness):<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p><strong>‘</strong>Will’ is a modal verb that expresses one’s intention. It can be used either as an auxiliary verb or as an <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbs/">adverb</a>. </p> <p>For example, “I will do it later.” Another example would be, “They will definitely take this into account.” Also remember, the words ‘will’ and ‘would’ are almost interchangeable when used in sentences.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="when-are-modal-verbs-used"></span>When are modal verbs used?<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Modal verbs are used as auxiliary verbs in the English language. They are used as part of a verb phrase or <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/clauses/">clause</a> and express the speaker’s attitude <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/toward-or-towards/">towards</a> what they are saying. </p> <p>For example, in the sentence “I should <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-tense-of-eat/">eat</a> more vegetables”, the speaker is expressing that he or she feels obligated to eat more vegetables. In this example, ‘should’ is used as an obligation modal verb.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="how-to-use-modal-verbs"></span>How to use modal verbs<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Modal verbs can be used in many different ways. Here are some of the ways you can use modals in a sentence:</p> <p>“I might need help.” Here, the speaker does not know for sure <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/weather-whether-wether/">whether</a> he/she will need help or not.</p> <p>“You must come.” This sentence indicates a command or an unequivocal request.</p> <p>“I may have time later.” The speaker says this with uncertainty, as they do not know if they will have time later </p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="grammar-rules-with-example-sentences"></span>Grammar rules with <a href="https://linguapress.com/grammar/modal-can.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Example</a> Sentences<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <p>As we know, a modal verb is an auxiliary verb that changes the meaning of the main verb. In other words, it has a modifying <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/affect-vs-effect/">effect</a> on the main verb’s meaning.</p> <p>For example, if you say, “I will swim,” you are suggesting that you will only swim in the future. If you say, “I can swim,” <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/then-vs-than/">then</a> you are showing ability or skill in swimming.</p> <p>The two sentences are not interchangeable because they change the meaning conveyed to the listener.</p> <p>Another way to think about this is by using ‘could’ and ‘could have.’ If someone says, “I <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/could-of-or-could-have/">could have</a> done better”, he/she means they <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/was-vs-were/">were</a> capable of doing better.</p> <p>However, if someone says, “I could do better”, he/she means to say they have the ability or skill but didn’t use it.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="modal-verbs-present-tense"></span>Modal verbs + Present Tense<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>To use the present tense with modals, conjugate the verb in question and insert a form of ‘can’ or ‘will.’ </p> <p>For example, if you wanted to say that a person is able to swim (as of now), you would say “He can swim”. </p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="modal-verbs-past-tense"></span>Modal verbs + Past Tense<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>The most important thing to remember about modals is that they always go with the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/base-form/">base form</a> of the verb. </p> <p>For instance, if you want to use a modal in the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/passed-vs-past/">past</a> tense, you will need to use ‘had.’ So, instead of saying ‘I can’t’ or ‘I don’t have the time’, you would say ‘I couldn’t’ or ‘I didn’t have the time’.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="modal-verbs-future-tense"></span>Modal verbs + Future Tense<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>The future tense requires modals <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-before-such-as/">such as</a> ‘will’ and ‘shall.’</p> <p>So, for example, if you want to say that something is going to happen in the future, you should say something like, “I will go to the store tomorrow.”</p> <p>However, sometimes it can be challenging to know whether to use a present or past verb when describing something that will happen in the future. </p> <p>For example, if <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/you-were-or-you-was/">you were</a> talking about a concert next year and said, “I’m going to this concert next year,” does this mean that it’s happening now? Or are we going off on an assumption of what might happen? In this case, you should use ‘will.’</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="441" src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb-2.png" alt="Modal verb words" class="wp-image-5333" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb-2.png 800w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb-2-300x165.png 300w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/modal-verb-2-768x423.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption>Modal verb words</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="modal-verbs-list"></span><a href="https://7esl.com/modal-verbs/#Modal_Verbs_List" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Modal Verbs List</a><span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Can</li><li>Could</li><li>May</li><li>Might</li><li>Shall</li><li>Should</li><li>Will</li><li>Would</li><li>Must</li><li>Mustn’t</li><li>Ought</li><li>Have to</li><li>Doesn’t have to</li><li>Has to</li><li>Had better</li><li>Dare (only in certain cases)</li><li>Need (only in certain cases).</li></ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="tips-for-using-modal-verbs"></span>Tips for using modal verbs<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Modal verbs have their own set of rules and meanings. They can be tricky for non-native English speakers, so getting familiar with how they work is important.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="below-are-ten-tips-for-using-modal-verbs-correctly-and-effectively"></span>Below are ten <a href="https://medium.com/@LearningPundits/tips-on-modal-verbs-1dae90e21bae" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tips for using modal verbs</a> correctly and effectively: <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h3> <ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Don’t use ‘can’ when you mean ‘may.’ Incorrect sentence: “She may go home now.” Correct sentence: “She can go home now.”</li><li>When ‘can’ means ‘might,’ the verb is in the past tense.</li><li>When ‘will’ is replaced by ‘would like to’, the meaning changes depending on whether you are talking about future plans or expressing desires in the present. Example sentence 1: “I will buy <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/me-vs-myself/">myself</a> something nice today.” (I plan on doing this sometime in the near future.) Example Sentence 2: “I would like to buy myself something nice today.” (I want to do this right now, but it isn’t possible)</li><li>The following two sentences explain the differences between ‘should’ and ‘must.’ “She must leave now.” “You should study.” The first sentence tells someone what to do because there is no other option. The second sentence suggests that if someone chooses not to study, there will be consequences.</li><li>Be careful not to confuse ‘ought’ with ‘had better.’ ‘Ought’ refers to moral obligation, while ‘had better’ refers to <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/advise-vs-advice/">advice</a>. Example sentence 1: “You ought to study more”. Example sentence 2: “You had better go home early tonight <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/because-vs-since/">since</a> it’s going to rain soon.”</li><li>‘Will’ doesn’t always imply a promise. Sometimes it just expresses future probability. Example sentence: “It will probably rain tomorrow.” Meaning: There is a high chance that it will rain tomorrow, but we don’t know yet.</li><li>Use ‘might’ to express ‘possibility’ and use ‘could’ for ‘probability.’ ‘Might’ is more tentative than ‘could’. ‘Might’ makes it seem less likely that an event will happen, whereas ‘could’ makes it seem more likely to happen.</li><li>If you want to express desire, use ‘would.’</li><li>To ask permission, use ‘may.’</li><li> To politely offer help, use can/may.</li></ol> <div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/FAQPage"> <h2 class="wp-block-coblocks-faq__title wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="faqs"></span>FAQs<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <details class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item" itemprop="mainEntity" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"><summary class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question" itemprop="name"><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__content"><strong>What is a modal verb?</strong></div><svg width="24" height="24" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__icon" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.39 14.99l-1.41 1.41L12 10.43 6.02 16.4l-1.41-1.41L12 7.6l7.39 7.39z"></path></svg></summary><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__answer" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"><div itemprop="text"> <p><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_modal_verbs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Modal verbs</a> are auxiliary verbs that come before the main verb and which modify the meaning of the main verb. For example, ‘may’ is a modal verb indicating permission is unnecessary, while ‘must’ means the act is mandatory. </p> </div></div></details> <details class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item" itemprop="mainEntity" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"><summary class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question" itemprop="name"><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__content"><strong>How many modal verbs are in total?</strong></div><svg width="24" height="24" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__icon" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.39 14.99l-1.41 1.41L12 10.43 6.02 16.4l-1.41-1.41L12 7.6l7.39 7.39z"></path></svg></summary><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__answer" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"><div itemprop="text"> <p>There are about 24 modal verbs.</p> </div></div></details> <details class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item" itemprop="mainEntity" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"><summary class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question" itemprop="name"><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__content"><strong>What are the most common modal verbs?</strong></div><svg width="24" height="24" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__icon" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.39 14.99l-1.41 1.41L12 10.43 6.02 16.4l-1.41-1.41L12 7.6l7.39 7.39z"></path></svg></summary><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__answer" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"><div itemprop="text"> <p>There are several modal verbs that can be used in English, but ‘can’, ‘could’, ‘may’, and ‘might’ are the most common.</p> </div></div></details> <details class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item" itemprop="mainEntity" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"><summary class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question" itemprop="name"><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__content"><strong>When do I use each one of them?</strong></div><svg width="24" height="24" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__icon" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.39 14.99l-1.41 1.41L12 10.43 6.02 16.4l-1.41-1.41L12 7.6l7.39 7.39z"></path></svg></summary><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__answer" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"><div itemprop="text"> <p>There are some general rules of thumb you can use when deciding which modal verb to use in your sentence. </p> <p>If you want something possible, you need ‘could’ or ‘might.’ If you want something necessary for something else (not voluntary), then use ‘must’ or ‘have to.’ If there is an order from someone else involved, use ‘ought (to)’ or ‘should.’ </p> <p>When you don’t know whether you will complete an action, use ‘will’ or ‘would.’</p> </div></div></details> <details class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item" itemprop="mainEntity" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"><summary class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question" itemprop="name"><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__content"><strong>Can I use any of the modals with any kind of verb?</strong></div><svg width="24" height="24" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__icon" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.39 14.99l-1.41 1.41L12 10.43 6.02 16.4l-1.41-1.41L12 7.6l7.39 7.39z"></path></svg></summary><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__answer" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"><div itemprop="text"> <p>es, but this requires in-depth knowledge of certain <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/verb-tenses/">tenses</a>.</p> </div></div></details> <details class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item" itemprop="mainEntity" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"><summary class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question" itemprop="name"><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__content">How does a modal verb work with the infinitive form?</div><svg width="24" height="24" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__icon" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.39 14.99l-1.41 1.41L12 10.43 6.02 16.4l-1.41-1.41L12 7.6l7.39 7.39z"></path></svg></summary><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__answer" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"><div itemprop="text"> <p>The main verb that is modified by the modal verb is in infinitive form and is not preceded by the word “to.”</p> </div></div></details> <details class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item" itemprop="mainEntity" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"><summary class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question" itemprop="name"><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__content">What is a modal auxiliary verb?</div><svg width="24" height="24" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__icon" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.39 14.99l-1.41 1.41L12 10.43 6.02 16.4l-1.41-1.41L12 7.6l7.39 7.39z"></path></svg></summary><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__answer" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"><div itemprop="text"> <p>A modal auxiliary verb is a type of word that is used to modify the modality of a main verb.</p> </div></div></details> <details class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item" itemprop="mainEntity" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"><summary class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question" itemprop="name"><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__content">What tense is a modal verb in?</div><svg width="24" height="24" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__question__icon" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M19.39 14.99l-1.41 1.41L12 10.43 6.02 16.4l-1.41-1.41L12 7.6l7.39 7.39z"></path></svg></summary><div class="wp-block-coblocks-faq-item__answer" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"><div itemprop="text"> <p>Usually these verbs are in the <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-continuous/">present continuous tense</a> or past tense (past participle/past form) depending on the sentence and other verbs around it.</p> </div></div></details> </div> <div id="ez-toc-container" class="ez-toc-v2_0_71 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction"> <div class="ez-toc-title-container"> <p class="ez-toc-title" style="cursor:inherit">Inside this article</p> <span class="ez-toc-title-toggle"></span></div> <nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1" href="#what-are-modal-verbs" title="What are modal verbs?">What are modal verbs?</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2" href="#definition" title="Definition">Definition</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3" href="#difference-between-modal-and-regular-verbs" title="Difference between Modal and Regular verbs">Difference between Modal and Regular verbs</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4" href="#what-are-modal-auxiliary-verbs" title="What are Modal Auxiliary Verbs?">What are Modal Auxiliary Verbs?</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5" href="#functions-of-modal-verbs" title="Functions of Modal Verbs">Functions of Modal Verbs</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6" href="#what-are-the-types-of-modal-verbs" title="What are the types of Modal Verbs?">What are the types of Modal Verbs?</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7" href="#1-can-ability" title="1. Can (Ability)">1. Can (Ability)</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8" href="#2-may-permission" title="2. May (Permission)">2. May (Permission)</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9" href="#3-must-obligation" title="3. Must (Obligation)">3. Must (Obligation)</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10" href="#4-shall-polite-requests" title="4. Shall (Polite Requests)">4. Shall (Polite Requests)</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11" href="#5-will-intentionwillingness" title="5. Will (intention/willingness)">5. Will (intention/willingness)</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12" href="#when-are-modal-verbs-used" title="When are modal verbs used?">When are modal verbs used?</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13" href="#how-to-use-modal-verbs" title="How to use modal verbs">How to use modal verbs</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14" href="#grammar-rules-with-example-sentences" title="Grammar rules with Example Sentences">Grammar rules with Example Sentences</a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15" href="#modal-verbs-present-tense" title="Modal verbs + Present Tense">Modal verbs + Present Tense</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16" href="#modal-verbs-past-tense" title="Modal verbs + Past Tense">Modal verbs + Past Tense</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17" href="#modal-verbs-future-tense" title="Modal verbs + Future Tense">Modal verbs + Future Tense</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18" href="#modal-verbs-list" title="Modal Verbs List">Modal Verbs List</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19" href="#tips-for-using-modal-verbs" title="Tips for using modal verbs">Tips for using modal verbs</a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20" href="#below-are-ten-tips-for-using-modal-verbs-correctly-and-effectively" title="Below are ten tips for using modal verbs correctly and effectively ">Below are ten tips for using modal verbs correctly and effectively </a></li></ul></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21" href="#faqs" title="FAQs">FAQs</a></li></ul></nav></div> </div> <div bind="a45688e5-b9eb-987e-b87a-877b363b714a" class="tags w-clearfix"> <div bind="3c46d1e8-cfca-93f8-1f0b-132651db81b5"><span bind="e3af2ae6-d86a-f810-ba70-8a062949eb9d" class="text-span-3">Tags:</span></div> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/tag/verbs/" class="bold-text-4"><strong bind="9bd9671a-c4c5-f296-a149-d2e552ddbe4f" class="bold-text-5">Verbs</strong></a> </div>  <div class="fact-checked w-clearfix"><img src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/correct.png" loading="lazy" width="35" srcset="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/correct-p-500.png 500w, https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/correct.png 512w" sizes="(max-width: 479px) 27vw, 35px" alt="" class="image-6" style="margin-right:20px;"> <p bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e6e" class="fact"><strong bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e6f">Fact checked:</strong><br>Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. <a href="/editorial-policy/" bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e73"><strong bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e74">Learn more.</strong></a> </p> </div>   <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e64" class="author"> <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e65" class="author-image w-row"> <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e66" class="column-3 w-col w-col-3"><img src="https://grammarbrain.com/wp-content/themes/grammarbrain/images/Screen-Shot-2022-09-10-at-4.07.48-PM.png" loading="lazy" bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e67" alt="" class="image-3" style="-webkit-border-radius:200px;border-radius:200px;-moz-border-radius:200px;"></div> <div bind="a6b1dcf4-d86a-ecf2-05e3-b91db5a16e68" class="column-2 w-col w-col-9"> <p bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a47" class="author-p"><strong>About the author</strong> <a href="#" bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a4c"><strong bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a4d"></strong></a> </p> <p bind="3eab4726-5f41-ff61-2881-dd7370ae1a47" class="author-p"> <a href="/about/" bind="a4a5a123-eef4-a277-5d08-7dfd48482052"><strong bind="16ba8aa2-6a9a-8a55-c24f-7e0b2e7391c4">Dalia Y.:</strong></a> Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain. </p> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="other-articles"> <h3 class="abbv-h3">Core lessons</h3> <div class="w-row"> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/apostrophe/">Apostrophe</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/ellipsis/">Ellipsis</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/semicolon/">Semicolon</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/hyphen/">Hyphen</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/et-al/">Et. Al.</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/exclamation-mark/">Exclamation Mark</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/capitalization-rules/">Capitalization Rules</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/oxford-comma-serial-comma/">Comma</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parts-of-speech/">Parts of Speech</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subjunctive/">Subjunctive</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjectives/">Adjectives</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjectives-describing-personality/">Personality Adjectives</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-words/">Compound Words</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subordinating-conjunction/">Subordinating Conjunction</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbs/">Adverbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbial-clause/">Adverbial Clause</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-verbs/">Irregular Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-verbs/">Common Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intransitive-verbs/">Intransitive Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/phrasal-verbs/">Phrasal Verbs</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositions/">Prepositions</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/gerund/">Gerund</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/active-voice/">Active Voice</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/passive-voice/">Passive Voice</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjunctions/">Conjunctions</a> </div>  <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-tense/">Present Perfect</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-simple/">Present Perfect Simple</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-simple-tense/">Present Simple</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-continuous/">Present Continuous</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-continuous/">Present Perfect Continuous</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/simple-future-tense/">Simple Future</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-continuous-tense/">Past Continuous</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-simple-tense/">Past Simple</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/clauses/">Clauses</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/object-pronouns/">Object Pronouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personal-pronouns/">Personal Pronouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-pronouns/">Possessive Pronouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-noun/">Common Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/concrete-nouns/">Concrete Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-noun/">Possessive Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/proper-noun/">Proper Noun</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-plural-nouns/">Irregular Plural Nouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositional-phrases/">Prepositional Phrases</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/introductory-phrases/">Introductory Phrases</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-statement/">Declarative Statement</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/sentence-diagramming/">Sentence Diagramming</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/complete-subjects/">Complete Subjects</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/sentence-starters/">Sentence Starters</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/metaphor/">Metaphor</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personification/">Personification</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/allegory/">Allegory</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/collective-noun/">Collective Nouns</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/tones-in-writing/">Tones in Writing</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/homophones/">Homophones</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-sentences/">Declarative Sentences</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/syntax/">Syntax</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="other-articles"> <h3 class="abbv-h3">Glossary</h3> <div class="w-row"> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <strong>A:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/abstract-noun/">Abstract Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/accusative-case/">Accusative Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/anecdote/">Anecdote</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/antonym/">Antonym</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/active-sentence/">Active Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbs/">Adverb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective/">Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/allegory/">Allegory</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/alliteration/">Alliteration</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective-clause/">Adjective Clause</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective-phrase/">Adjective Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/ampersand/">Ampersand</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/anastrophe/">Anastrophe</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adverbial-clause/">Adverbial Clause</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/appositive-phrase/">Appositive Phrase</a></li> </ul> <strong>B:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/base-form/">Base Form</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/body-paragraph/">Body Paragraph</a></li> </ul> <strong>C:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/clauses/">Clause</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-adjective/">Compound Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/complex-sentence/">Complex Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-words/">Compound Words</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-predicate/">Compound Predicate</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-noun/">Common Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comparative-adjective/">Comparative Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/superlatives-and-comparatives/">Comparative and Superlative</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-noun/">Compound Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-subject/">Compound Subject</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/compound-sentence/">Compound Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/copular-verb/">Copular Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/collective-noun/">Collective Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/colloquialism/">Colloquialism</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conciseness/">Conciseness</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/consonance/">Consonance</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conditionals/">Conditional</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/concrete-nouns/">Concrete Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjunctions/">Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conjugation/">Conjugation</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/conditional-sentence-if-clause/">Conditional Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/comma-splice/">Comma Splice</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/correlative-conjunction/">Correlative Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/coordinating-conjunction/">Coordinating Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/coordinating-adjectives/">Coordinate Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/cumulative-adjective/">Cumulative Adjective</a></li> </ul> <strong>D:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/dative-case/">Dative Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/determiners/">Determiner</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-sentences/">Declarative Sentence</a> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/declarative-statement/">Declarative Statement</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/direct-object-pronouns/">Direct Object Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/direct-object/">Direct Object</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/types-of-diction/">Diction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/diphthong/">Diphthong</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/dangling-modifier/">Dangling Modifier</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/demonstrative-pronouns/">Demonstrative Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/demonstrative-adjective/">Demonstrative Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/direct-characterization/">Direct Characterization</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/definite-article/">Definite Article</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/doublespeak/">Doublespeak</a></li> </ul> <strong>E:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/equivocation-fallacy/">Equivocation Fallacy</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/en-dash/">En Dash</a></li> </ul> <strong>F:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/false-dilemma-fallacy/">False Dilemma Fallacy</a> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-perfect-progressive/">Future Perfect Progressive</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-simple/">Future Simple</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-perfect-continuous/">Future Perfect Continuous</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/future-perfect/">Future Perfect</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/first-conditional/">First Conditional</a></li> </ul> <strong>G:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/gerund/">Gerund</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/gerund-phrase/">Gerund Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/genitive-case/">Genitive Case</a></li> </ul> <strong>H:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/homophones/">Homophone</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/homonym/">Homonym</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/helping-verbs/">Helping Verb</a></li> </ul> <strong>I:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-adjectives/">Irregular Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/irregular-verbs/">Irregular Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/imperative-sentence/">Imperative Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indefinite-article/">Indefinite Article</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intransitive-verbs/">Intransitive Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/introductory-phrases/">Introductory Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indefinite-pronouns/">Indefinite Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indirect-characterization/">Indirect Characterization</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/interrogative-sentence/">Interrogative Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intensive-pronoun/">Intensive Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/inanimate-object/">Inanimate Object</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indefinite-tense/">Indefinite Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/infinitive-phrase/">Infinitive Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/interjection/">Interjection</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/intensifier/">Intensifier</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/inifitives/">Infinitive</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/indicative-mood/">Indicative Mood</a></li> </ul> <strong>J:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/juxtaposition/">Juxtaposition</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <strong>L:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/linking-verbs/">Linking Verb</a></li> </ul> <strong>M:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/modal-verb/">Modal Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/modifier/">Modifier</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/misplaced-modifier/">Misplaced Modifier</a></li> </ul> <strong>N:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/nominative-case/">Nominative Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/noun/">Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/adjective-as-noun/">Noun Adjective</a></li> </ul> <strong>O:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/oxymoron/">Oxymoron</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/object-pronouns/">Object Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/object-complement/">Object Complement</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/order-of-adjectives/">Order of Adjectives</a></li> </ul> <strong>P:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/participle/">Participle</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parallelism/">Parallelism</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositional-phrases/">Prepositional Phrase</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-simple-tense/">Past Simple Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-continuous-tense/">Past Continuous Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-perfect-tense/">Past Perfect Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/past-progressive-tense/">Past Progressive Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-simple-tense/">Present Simple Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-perfect-tense/">Present Perfect Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personal-pronouns/">Personal Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/personification/">Personification</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/persuasive-writing/">Persuasive Writing</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parallel-structure/">Parallel Structure</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/phrasal-verbs/">Phrasal Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/predicate-adjective/">Predicate Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/predicate-nominative/">Predicate Nominative</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/phonetic-language/">Phonetic Language</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/plural-noun/">Plural Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/punctuation/">Punctuation</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/punctuation-marks/">Punctuation Marks</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prepositions/">Preposition</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/preposition-of-place/">Preposition of Place</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/parts-of-speech/">Parts of Speech</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-adjective/">Possessive Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-determiner/">Possessive Determiner</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-case/">Possessive Case</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/possessive-noun/">Possessive Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/proper-adjective/">Proper Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/proper-noun/">Proper Noun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/present-participle/">Present Participle</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/prefix/">Prefix</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/predicate/">Predicate</a></li> </ul> <strong>Q:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/quotation-marks/">Quotation Marks</a></li> </ul> <strong>R:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/relative-pronouns/">Relative Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/reflexive-pronouns/">Reflexive Pronoun</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/reciprocal-pronouns/">Reciprocal Pronoun</a></li> </ul> <strong>S:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subordinating-conjunction/">Subordinating Conjunction</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/simple-future-tense/">Simple Future Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/syntax/">Syntax</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/stative-verbs/">Stative Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subjunctive/">Subjunctive</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subject-complement/">Subject Complement</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/subject-of-a-sentence/">Subject of a Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/sentence-variety/">Sentence Variety</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/second-conditional/">Second Conditional</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/suffix/">Suffix</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/superlative-adjective/">Superlative Adjective</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/slash-symbol/">Slash Symbol</a></li> </ul> <strong>T:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/topic-sentence/">Topic Sentence</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/types-of-nouns/">Types of Nouns</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/types-of-sentences/">Types of Sentences</a></li> </ul> <strong>U:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/uncountable-noun/">Uncountable Noun</a></li> </ul> <strong>V:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/common-verbs/">Verb</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/verb-tenses/">Verb Tense</a></li> <li><a href="https://grammarbrain.com/vowels-and-consonants/">Vowels and Consonants</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="other-articles"> <h3 class="abbv-h3">Popular lessons</h3> <div class="w-row"> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/bare-with-me-or-bear-with-me/">Bare With Me</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/bosss-bosses-bosses/">Boss's, Bosses, or Bosses'</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/full-proof-or-foolproof/">Full Proof or Foolproof</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a href="https://grammarbrain.com/is-or-are/">Is or Are</a> </div> <div class="w-col w-col-6"> <a 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