What are modal verbs​ ?

​Modal verbs are auxiliary or helping verbs that express meaning.

​They are must, can/could, will/would, shall/should, need to, may/might. would rather and had better

Quick notes​

​Modal verbs + have + past participle

​Used to show we are not 100% sure about what happened

​may/might + have + past participle

​to express possibility

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might is the past tense form of may

​could + have + past participle

​to express possibility in the past

​should/shouldn't + have + past participle

​to express regret about something that happened or didn't happen

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​to express probability

​must + have + past participle

​to express a positive deduction

​would rather + have + past participle

​to express preference in the past

​needn't + have + past participle

​to express ​what wasn't necessary but it was done

​Read the following sentences and decide the correct modal verb for each blank.

​1. The students did well on the test. They ____have studied hard.

​2. There are other reasons why the students did well on the test. It ___ have been very easy.

​3. She ____ have driven there. Her car keys are here.

​Read the following sentences and decide the correct modal verb for each blank.

​1. The students did well on the test. They must have studied hard.

​Must shows positive deduction (presuming the students studied hard)

​2. There are other reasons why the students did well on the test. It might have been very easy.

​Might shows the possibility that the test was easy.

​3. She couldn't have driven there. Her car keys are here.

​Couldn't shows that driving was not a possibility.

​When deciding on modal verbs, context is crucial. Understand the situation by reading the clues provided in the sentence or sentences.

Practice​