How do we use the modal verbs?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

I have got a lot of difficulties in grammar I would like to you to help me even if a little but will mean a lot for me, so when do we use the modal verbs. thanks

2

Hello Walter, welcome to our forum. You might want to read this: I wish to know about “Modal verbs”[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEIC listening, photographs: The artist[YSaerTTEW443543]

3

All the auxiliary verbs except be, do and have are called modals. Unlike other auxiliary verbs modals only exist in their helping form; they cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence.

Be, do, and have also differ from the other auxiliaries in that they can also serve as ordinary verbs in a given sentence.

The modal verbs are:-

CAN / COULD / MAY / MIGHT / MUST / SHALL / SHOULD / OUGHT TO / WILL / WOULD .

FORM

  1. There is no –s in the third person singular:
    She can swim; he must be tired; it might rain later.

  2. There is no DO/DOES in the question:
    Shall we go for a walk? Can I help you? What should I do?

  3. There is no DON’T/DOESN’T in the negative:
    He can’t dance; I won’t be a minute; you mustn’t steal.

  4. Modal auxiliary verbs do not usually have past forms. Other expressions are used instead:
    I had to work very hard at school; COULD is used with a past meaning in some cases.

  5. They have no infinitives and no –ing forms. Other expressions are used instead:
    I’d love to be able to ski; I hate having to get up on cold mornings.

  6. They are followed by infinitive without to:
    You must go; I’ll help you.
    Ought to is the exception: you ought to see a doctor.

  7. They can be used with perfect infinitives to talk about the past:
    You should have told me that you can’t swim: you might have drowned!
    USE
    Each modal verb usually has at least two meanings.

  8. One use of all of them is to express possibility or probability:
    I must post this letter (= obligation); you must be tired (= deduction, probability); could you
    please help me? (= request); we could go to Portugal (= possibility, suggestion); may I go now?
    (= permission); Hannah may be at work now (= possibility)

  9. Modal verbs express our attitudes, opinions and judgements of events.
    ‘Who’s that knocking at the door?’ ‘It could/may/might/must/should/can’t/’ll be Henry’.