VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

modals

noun·Academictechnical

Last updated

UK/ˈməʊdlz/
US/ˈmoʊdlz/

“modals” is a form of “modal”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nounpluraltechnical

    Short for modal verbs: helping verbs such as can, may, must and would that express ability, permission, possibility or obligation.

    Grammar: Plural noun used in grammar talk: modals do not add -s in the third person.

    Patterns

    • modals of obligation
    • modals of possibility

    Can, could and must are modals, and they are followed by a base verb.

    Students often forget that modals never take -s: she can swim, not she cans swim.

    This lesson compares modals of obligation such as must and have to.

  2. nounpluralcomputingtechnical

    Small windows that appear over a web page and need a response before the user can continue, also called modal dialogs.

    Grammar: Plural noun in web design: the site uses modals for sign-up forms.

    The designer removed two modals that blocked the checkout page.

    Too many modals can annoy visitors to a website.

    Most modals include a close button in the corner.

Word forms

singularmodal

Common combinations

modals of obligation
We practiced modals of obligation such as must and should.
modals of possibility
Might and could are modals of possibility.
use modals
Learners use modals to sound more polite.
followed by a base verb
Modals are followed by a base verb.
past modals
The class studied past modals like should have.

Synonyms and how they differ

modal verbs
Is the full, more formal term, while modals is a handy short form used in classrooms.
auxiliary verbs
Is a wider group that includes be, do and have as well as modals.
helping verbs
Is the term often used in schools and covers modals along with other auxiliaries.

Word family

modal adjective
relating to mode or manner, as in modal verb
modality noun
a way in which something exists or is expressed
semi-modal noun
a phrase like have to or ought to that behaves partly like a modal

Commonly confused: modals or models?

modals vs models

Models are examples, patterns or fashion models; modals are a kind of grammar verb. The words are close in sound.

Practice

Which sentence uses a modal verb correctly?

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “modals”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words