28c. Base form after a modal

28cUse the base form of the verb after a modal.

The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would. (Ought to is also considered a modal verb.) The modals are used with the base form of a verb to show ability, certainty, necessity, permission, obligation, or possibility.

Modals and the verbs that follow them do not change form to indicate tense. For a summary of modals and their meanings, see the chart at the bottom of the page. (See also 27e.)

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The modal will must be followed by the base form launch, not the present tense launches.

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The modal could must be followed by the base form speak, not the past tense spoke.

tip: Do not use to before a main verb that follows a modal.

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For the use of modals in conditional sentences, see 28e.

  • Multilingual/ESL > Exercises: 28–2 and 28–3
  • Multilingual/ESL > LearningCurve: Verbs for multilingual writers

Modals and their meanings

can

  • general ability (present)
 Ants can survive anywhere, even in space. Jorge can run a marathon faster than his brother.
  • informal requests or permission
 Can you tell me where the light is? Sandy can borrow my calculator.

could

  • general ability (past)
 Lea could read when she was only three years old.
  • polite, informal requests or permission
 Could you give me that pen?

may

  • formal requests or permission
 May I see the report? Students may park only in the yellow zone.
  • possibility
 I may try to finish my homework tonight, or I may wake up early and finish it tomorrow.

might

  • possibility
 Funding for the language lab might double by 2017.

note: Might usually expresses a stronger possibility than may.

must

  • necessity (present or future)
 To be effective, welfare-to-work programs must provide access to job training.
  • strong probability
 Amy must be nervous. [She is probably nervous.]
  • near certainty (present or past)
 I must have left my wallet at home. [I almost certainly left my wallet at home.]

should

  • suggestions or advice
 Diabetics should drink plenty of water every day.
  • obligations or duties
 The government should protect citizens’ rights.
  • expectations
 The books should arrive soon. [We expect the books to arrive soon.]

will

  • certainty
 If you don’t leave now, you will be late for your rehearsal.
  • requests
 Will you help me study for my psychology exam?
  • promises and offers
 Jonah will arrange the carpool.

would

  • polite requests
 Would you help me carry these books? I would like some coffee. [Would like is more polite than want.]
  • habitual or repeated actions (in the past)
 Whenever Elena needed help with sewing, she would call her aunt.