Our question this week is about a special type of verb. A verb is used to give a sentence action but this auxiliary modal verb gives expression or meaning to what you say; it's a bit like adding salt ...

Save guides, add subjects and pick up where you left off with your BBC account. Modal verbs are easy to spot because there are so few of them. In addition to must, shall, will, should, would ...

Modal verbs, which express a likelihood, ability, permission, request, order etc., usually help main verbs to state the future. It is the reason they are categorised as auxiliary verbs in the context.

Learning the correct modal verb to use in a given situation can make a big difference to your Swedish. Photo: Ali Lorestani/TT A common mistake for English speakers just starting out in their Swedish ...

Like with most English words and expressions, they have their own grouping and are called ‘modal verbs’. Modal verb types Modal verbs are either single-word modals or phrasal modals.

Here we cover only the three basic types. Initially, verbs are divided into main verbs and auxiliary verbs. Then auxiliary verbs are divided into modal auxiliary verbs and non-modal auxiliary verbs.

Like with most English words and expressions, they have their own grouping and are called ‘modal verbs’. Modal verb types Modal verbs are either single-word modals or phrasal modals.