Modal verbs are some of the most commonly used verbs in English. This guide only focuses on the use of modal verbs in American English. The introduction section presents important information applicable to all modal verbs.
Modal verbs carry the tense in the sentence. Even though the verb which carries the tense is usually conjugated (changes based on subject) modal verbs are never conjugated.
- He can, not *he cans
It is also important to note that modal verbs are always directly followed by the main verb as a bare infinitive (ex. ‘go’, ‘walk’, ‘sit’).
Common Modal Verbs include:
