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💬 Modal Verbs

Expressing ability, permission, obligation and advice

What are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are special helping verbs that express ability, permission, obligation, advice, and possibility. Common modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, must, should, will, would

Important rules for modal verbs:
  • No -s in 3rd person: "He can play" (NOT "He cans play")
  • Always followed by the base form (infinitive) of the verb: "She can swim" (NOT "She can swimming")
  • Form negatives and questions without "do/does": "You can't go" (NOT "You don't can go")

Can / Can't – Ability and Permission

1. Ability (Fähigkeit) – What you are able to do

I can swim. (Ich kann schwimmen.)

He can't ride a bike. (Er kann nicht Fahrrad fahren.)

2. Permission (Erlaubnis) – What you are allowed to do

Can I go out? (Darf ich rausgehen?)

You can't park here. (Du kannst hier nicht parken.)

Affirmative Negative Question
I can play football. I can't (cannot) play. Can you swim?
She can speak English. She can't speak German. Can he drive?
More examples: "I can help you." "Can you solve this problem?" "We can't attend the meeting." "The baby can walk!"

Must / Mustn't / Don't have to

Must – Obligation (Pflicht)

You must wear a seatbelt. (Du musst einen Sicherheitsgurt tragen.)

Students must arrive on time. (Schüler müssen pünktlich ankommen.)

Mustn't – Prohibition (Verbot)

You mustn't cheat in the exam! (Du darfst nicht im Test mogeln!)

We mustn't be late. (Wir dürfen nicht zu spät kommen.)

Don't have to – No obligation (Keine Pflicht)

You don't have to come. (Du musst nicht kommen.)

I don't have to finish today. (Ich muss heute nicht fertig werden.)

Difference: "You mustn't go" = Es ist verboten (Verbot). "You don't have to go" = Es ist nicht erforderlich (keine Pflicht).
Modal Meaning Example
must Obligation/Necessity You must study hard.
mustn't Prohibition You mustn't talk in class.
don't have to No obligation You don't have to go.

Should / Shouldn't – Advice and Recommendation

Should gives advice or a recommendation. It's not as strong as "must".

You should study more. (Du solltest mehr lernen.)

You shouldn't eat too much sugar. (Du solltest nicht zu viel Zucker essen.)

Should I call a doctor? (Sollte ich einen Arzt anrufen?)

Affirmative Negative Question
I should eat healthily. You shouldn't sleep late. Should he see a doctor?

May / Might – Possibility (Möglichkeit)

It may rain tomorrow. (Es könnte morgen regnen.)

She might be late. (Sie könnte zu spät kommen.)

May and might express possibility. Might is a bit more uncertain than may. In negative: may not (NOT "mayn't").

Übungsaufgaben

❓ Complete: 'She ___ play the guitar.' (Fähigkeit)
❓ Complete: 'You ___ wear a helmet.' (Obligation/Pflicht)
❓ Complete: 'You ___ drink more water.' (Advice)
❓ Complete: 'You ___ cheat in the exam!' (Verbot)
❓ Complete: 'It ___ rain later.' (Possibility)

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