In this lesson, you will learn about modal verbs: May, Might, Can, Could, Will, Would, Shall, Should and Must. Learners get confused when they see ‘be’ after modal verbs, i.e. May be or Will be. They are unable to guess the right form of verb after that. Similarly, when they see ‘have’ after modal verbs, the situation gets more complicated. For instance, may have or should have. In the coming lectures, I would through some light on all the possible structures related to modal verbs.
| May | May be | May have | May have been |
| Might | Might be | Might have | Might have been |
| Can | Can be | Can have* | Can have been* |
| Could | Could be | Could have | Could have been |
| Will | Will be | Will have | Will have been |
| Would | Would be | Would have | Would have been |
| Shall | Shall be | Shall have | Shall have been |
| Should | Should be | Should have | Should have been |
| Must | Must be | Must have | Must have been |
Don’t worry about the similarities in the structures, all modal verbs are used in different situations. We will learn about the conditions in the next lectures. Here, you need to understand ‘may and might’ are used to take permission and show possibility as well. ‘Can and could’ are also used for permission and show possibility. ‘Will, would and shall’ all are used to talk about future. Should is used to ask for suggestions or offer some recommendations. ‘Must’ is used to put stress on action.