Modal Verbs — Can, Should, Must, May
English modals have strict grammar rules that Chinese auxiliary words don't
Category: Modal Verbs
The Rule
Modals + base verb (no 'to', no -s, no -ing): 'She can swim' NOT 'She can to swim' or 'She can swims'. Modals don't change form for person: 'I can / She can' (not 'She cans').
Why This Matters
Chinese modals (会/能/应该/必须) are followed by the verb with no special form requirements. English modals have unique rules: no 'to' after them, no third-person -s, and each has nuances (can=ability, may=permission, might=possibility) that Chinese speakers find arbitrary.
Examples
• She can speak three languages. — "她会说三种语言。" [can + base verb (speak, not speaks/to speak)] • You should see a doctor. — "你应该去看医生。" [should + base verb (see)] • It might rain tomorrow. — "明天可能下雨。" [might + base verb (rain) — possibility]
Common Mistakes
❌ She can to swim. ✅ She can swim. → No 'to' after modals. Chinese 会 + verb has no intervening word, which should help — but English 'want to' and 'need to' create confusion. ❌ He must goes now. ✅ He must go now. → No -s after modals, even for he/she/it. Modals override the third-person rule.
Quick Tip
Modal verbs are followed by BARE infinitive (base form): can go, should eat, must try, may come. Never add 'to', '-s', or '-ing' after a modal.
Modal verbs are followed by BARE infinitive (base form): can go, should eat, must try, may come. Never add 'to', '-s', or '-ing' after a modal.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: She can to swim. → Correct: She can swim.. No 'to' after modals. Chinese 会 + verb has no intervening word, which should help — but English 'want to' and 'need to' create confusion.
Incorrect: He must goes now. → Correct: He must go now.. No -s after modals, even for he/she/it. Modals override the third-person rule.
Quiz
Which is correct?