A modal verb in English is a type of auxiliary verb used to express various shades of meaning such as possibility, necessity, permission, ability, and obligation.

Modal verbs include “can,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “must,” and “ought to.”

What Is A Modal Verb

These verbs modify the main verb in a sentence, indicating the speaker’s attitude, intention, or the likelihood of an action taking place.

For example: “She can swim” uses “can” to convey ability. Modal verbs are essential for adding nuance and context to statements, making them a fundamental part of English communication.