Modal verbs là những động từ đặc biệt đi kèm với động từ nguyên mẫu không “to” để thể hiện các ý nghĩa như: khả năng, sự cho phép, nghĩa vụ, lời khuyên, hoặc dự đoán.
| Modal Verb | Nghĩa chính | Ví dụ |
|---|---|---|
| can | có thể | I can swim. |
| could | có thể (quá khứ / lịch sự) | Could you help me? |
| may | có thể (khả năng, cho phép lịch sự) | You may go out now. |
| might | có thể (ít chắc chắn hơn “may”) | It might rain later. |
| must | phải (bắt buộc) | You must wear a helmet. |
| have to | phải (theo quy tắc, hoàn cảnh) | I have to do my homework. |
| should | nên (lời khuyên) | You should study harder. |
| will | sẽ (tương lai) | I will call you tomorrow. |
| would | sẽ (giả định / lịch sự) | Would you like some coffee? |
| Modal Verb | Cách dùng chính | Ví dụ minh họa |
|---|---|---|
| can | Diễn tả khả năng hoặc xin phép | I can speak English. / Can I go out? |
| could | Khả năng trong quá khứ / Lời đề nghị lịch sự | I could swim when I was 5. / Could you help me? |
| may / might | Diễn tả khả năng có thể xảy ra | It may rain later. / It might snow tonight. |
| must / have to | Diễn tả sự bắt buộc, nghĩa vụ | You must wear a uniform. / I have to do homework. |
| should | Lời khuyên hoặc gợi ý | You should eat more vegetables. |
| will | Hành động trong tương lai / Lời hứa | I will study harder. |
| would | Lời mời / Tình huống giả định | Would you like some tea? |
| I can swim. I can swim. | ||
| She can play the guitar. She can play the guitar. | ||
| He can't drive a car. He can't drive a car. | ||
| Can you help me? Can you help me? | ||
| Yes, of course. Yes, of course. | ||
| Could you open the window, please? Could you open the window, please? | ||
| Sure. Sure. | ||
| I could run very fast when I was young. I could run very fast when I was young. | ||
| You must do your homework. You must do your homework. | ||
| You mustn't be late. You mustn't be late. | ||
| You should study harder. You should study harder. | ||
| You shouldn't eat too much sugar. You shouldn't eat too much sugar. | ||
| I have to go now. I have to go now. | ||
| She has to work on Saturdays. She has to work on Saturdays. | ||
| Do you have to wear a uniform? Do you have to wear a uniform? | ||
| Yes, I do. Yes, I do. | ||
| You don't have to come early. You don't have to come early. | ||
| You may sit here. You may sit here. | ||
| May I come in? May I come in? | ||
| Yes, please do. Yes, please do. | ||
| I can speak two languages. I can speak two languages. | ||
| We should drink more water. We should drink more water. | ||
| They must wear helmets. They must wear helmets. | ||
| You have to pay attention in class. You have to pay attention in class. | ||
| He can use a computer very well. He can use a computer very well. | ||
| Could you lend me your pen? Could you lend me your pen? | ||
| You should rest a little. You should rest a little. | ||
| We must respect others. We must respect others. | ||
| You don't have to bring food. You don't have to bring food. | ||
| I may call you later. I may call you later. | ||