Understanding Modal Verbs: Ability, Permission, and Obligation

Khan Academy

This educational video provides a clear and engaging introduction to modal verbs, a special class of auxiliary or "helper" verbs in the English language. Narrated by David, the video defines modality as the expression of conditions—such as likelihood, ability, permission, and obligation—and introduces the core list of modal verbs including may, might, must, can, could, shall, should, will, and would. The narrator uses a digital whiteboard to visually map out these concepts, making abstract grammar rules concrete and accessible. The content breaks down the three unique grammatical properties of modal verbs that distinguish them from regular verbs. First, they "agree with everything," meaning they do not change form based on the subject (e.g., no adding 's' for third-person singular). Second, they lack an infinitive form (one cannot say "to can" or "to must"). Third, they indicate specific modalities. Through humorous and relatable examples—like a detective deducing clues or a height requirement for a "Doom-coaster"—the video illustrates how these verbs function in everyday sentences. For educators, this video serves as an excellent foundational tool for teaching parts of speech and sentence structure. It effectively clarifies common student errors, such as incorrect conjugation or using modals as infinitives. The clear visual text and distinct color-coding aid in retention, while the diverse examples provide readymade sentences for classroom analysis. It is particularly useful for upper elementary and middle school English Language Arts curriculums, as well as for English Language Learners (ELLs) mastering the nuances of English verb structures.