Modalni glagoli su npr: may, can, must, should, need. Oni iskazuju sposobnost, dozvolu, želje itd. (I may, can, must swim.). Većina modalnih glagola se ne može koristiti u svim vremenima, zato moramo znati zamjenu (glagol istog znaÄenja) za modalni glagol. U tabeli su uneseni najÄešći modalni glagoli i njihovi sinonimi:
Modalni glagol | Zamjena/sinonim | Primjer |
must | to have to | I must swim. = I have to swim. |
must not | not to be allowed to | I must not swim. = I am not allowed to swim. |
can | to be able to | I can swim. = I am able to swim. |
may | to be allowed to | I may swim. = I am allowed to swim. |
need | to have to | I need to swim. = I have to swim. |
need not | not to have to | I need not swim. = I don't have to swim. |
shall / should/ ought to | to be supposed to / to be expected to / to be to | I shall / should / ought to swim. = I am supposed to swim. / I am expected to swim. / I am to swim. |