🔑 Modal verbsbrainywave.in
| Modal | Use | Example | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| can | ability / permission | I can swim. Can I sit here? | can’t / cannot |
| could | past ability / polite request | I could run fast as a child. Could you help me? | couldn’t |
| should | advice | You should see a doctor. | shouldn’t |
| must | strong need / rule | You must wear a helmet. | mustn’t = not allowed |
| have to | need (from outside) | I have to work on Sunday. | don’t have to = not necessary |
| may | permission (formal) / possibility | May I come in? It may rain. | may not |
| might | small possibility | It might rain later. | might not |
| would | polite / imaginary | Would you like tea? I would travel if I had money. | wouldn’t |
| will | future / promise | I will call you. | won’t |
Modal + V1, never + to: ‘must to go’ ✗ → ‘must go’ ✓
No -s: ‘she cans’ ✗ → ‘she can’ ✓
💡 mustn’t (forbidden) and don’t have to (not needed) are opposites — a common mix-up.