How to Learn English: Basic Modals in English

basic modal's in English this video is brought to you by the following websites basic modal's in English this video deals with what we call modal's it is a general overview of the basic ones in our other videos we go into more detail on the meanings of these words and how to use them this is only the beginning there is more to come using modal's modal's are common words that go together with main verbs to slightly change the tone or to express such things as possibility necessity permission or seriousness for example I do it every day this is a simple statement of fact I can do it now that means there's a possibility or I have the ability to do it right now one word modal's let's start with the most common one word modal's in English they are can may might must could should will and would notice the usage of modal's in the following sentences he will finish his work later this indicates the future time he has an intention of finishing up later he can finish his work later this means he has a ability or perhaps permission to do it later he might finish his work later this indicates possibility maybe he'll do it later he should finish his work later this indicates obligation he must finish his work later this indicates a very strong obligation on his part using modal's correctly we'll talk about the various meanings of modal's in another video for now let's talk about how to use them correctly modal's are always followed by the base form of the verb nothing else modal plus base form only for example she will go home at nine o'clock or she will be home at nine o'clock common mistakes with modal modal's the most common mistakes in using modal's are following them with something other than the base form of the verb incorrect I can to run correct I can run she could eight correct she could eat incorrect he should going correct he should go another problem is using modal's in the wrong position in questions modal's come in the auxiliary position before the subject in questions for example incorrect how I can help you correct how can I help you incorrect where we should eat correct where should we eat incorrect you will be there correct will you be there multi-word modal's in addition there are some modal's that consist of more than one word the grammar for their usage is the same follow them with the base form only some examples are had better be going to have to have got to for example I have to go now note that two is part of the modal expression I had better go now two is not a part of this expression we do not say I had better to go now correct the modal's in the following sentences you can pause the video if you need more time here are the answers number one ray could hear the music well number two he should come home on time three where can I find the subway station four I have to go now five Jason might leave soon six grace will help you later seven I must get my driver's license eight Dan had better write his essay nine I may work next Wednesday we can also say I may be working next Wednesday for more information about modal's try some of our other videos and website webpages see the links in the description below simple modal's common modal usage modal's chart past modal's thanks for watching you can learn more from the following websites