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Reference.org
Modal verb
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<p>A modal verb is a type of <a href="/facts/Verb/zp42buvn">verb</a> that contextually indicates a <a href="/facts/Modality_/hQmMKH2s">modality</a> such as a <i>likelihood</i>, <i>ability</i>, <i>permission</i>, <i>request</i>, <i>capacity</i>, <i>suggestion</i>, <i>order</i>, <i>obligation</i>, <i>necessity</i>, <i>possibility</i> or <i>advice</i>. Modal verbs generally accompany the base (infinitive) form of another verb having <a href="/facts/Semantics/1L4WwLAP">semantic</a> content. In <a href="/facts/English_modal_verbs/UtcVdTm3">English, the modal verbs</a> commonly used are <i>can</i>, <i>could</i>, <i>may</i>, <i>might</i>, <i>must</i>, <i>shall</i>, <i>should</i>, <i>will</i>, <i>would</i>, and <i>ought</i>. </p>