The short forms of modal verbs: How and When to Use in English
Quick and simple lesson to help you understand grammar better.
Test your English and learn even more with Gymglish.
The short forms of modal verbs
Reminder: modal verbs (must, can, would, etc.) are used before the infinitive form of another verb to express ideas like possibility, obligation, permission, etc.
You must remember this!
Can I have some sugar, please?
Most of these verbs have short forms:
- in the negative form:
| Negative long form | Negative short form | |
|---|---|---|
| can | cannot | can't |
| could | could not | couldn't |
| must | must not | mustn't |
| need | need not | needn't |
| would | would not | wouldn't |
| should | should not | shouldn't |
We cannot go there → we can't go there.
You should not smoke → You shouldn't smoke.
- Would also has an affirmative short form: ’d.
I would like to have a coffee → I'd like to have a coffee
Drag and drop the correct option to transform each modal verb from the long form into the short form.
She would like to visit London → she like to visit London.
Roger cannot do his job well → Roger do his job well.
They should not accept → they accept.
Drag and drop the correct option to transform each modal verb from the long form into the short form.
She would like to visit London → she 'd 1 like to visit London.
Roger cannot do his job well → Roger can't 2 do his job well.
They should not accept → they shouldn't 3 accept.
She would like to visit London → she'd like to visit London (affirmative short form). Example: I would like to see you → I'd like to see you.
Roger cannot do his job well → Roger can't do his job well (negative short form). Example: they cannot swim → they can't swim.
They should not accept → they shouldn't accept (negative short form). Example: she should not go → she shouldn't go.
Write the short form of each underlined modal verb. Pro tip: press the “Help me” button if you need a hint.
I could not listen → I listen.
We must not panic → we panic.
Timmy would not like to live in Bath → Timmy like to live in Bath.
Write the short form of each underlined modal verb. Pro tip: press the “Help me” button if you need a hint.
I could not listen → I couldn't 1 listen.
We must not panic → we mustn't 2 panic.
Timmy would not like to live in Bath → Timmy wouldn't 3 like to live in Bath.
I could not listen → I couldn't listen (negative short form). Example: I could not eat → I couldn't eat.
Could is the affirmative form of this verb, not the negative short form. Example: I could call you later.
Can't is the short form of cannot, not of could not. Example: I cannot come today → I can't come today.
We must not panic → we mustn't panic (negative short form). Example: they must not enter → they mustn't enter.
We use not in the negative full form, but here we needed the short form. Example: you must not repeat that → you mustn't repeat that.
Don't is the short form of do not that we use to create the negative form of the present simple, not the short form of must not. Example: I do not understand her accent → I don't understand her accent.
Timmy would not like to live in Bath → Timmy wouldn't like to live in Bath (negative short form). Example: we would not like to be called → we wouldn't like to be called.
Won't is the short form of will not that we use in the negative form of the future simple, not the short form of would not. Example: I will not participate → I won't participate.
Would is the affirmative full form of this verb, not the negative short form. Example: I would be happy to see you again.
Replace the long form of each modal verb with the correct short form.
I cannot come to the party → I come to the party.
He would join the team → he join the team.
You need not worry → you worry.
Replace the long form of each modal verb with the correct short form.
I cannot come to the party → I can't 1 come to the party.
He would join the team → he 'd 2 join the team.
You need not worry → you needn't 3 worry.
I cannot come to the party → I can't come to the party (negative short form). Example: Roger cannot go to the park → Roger can't go to the park.
Don't is the short form of do not that we use to create the negative form of the present simple, not the short form of cannot. Example: they do not want to change job → they don't want to change job.
A canton is a subdivision of certain countries, not the negative short form of cannot! Example: Switzerland has 26 cantons.
He would join the team → he'd join the team. (affirmative short form). Example: we would check → we'd check.
If two people wed, it means they get married… so this is not the short form of would! Example: he wed an American model.
Wouldn't is the negative short form of would. Here, we asked for the affirmative one. Example: I wouldn't like to be in your shoes.
You need not worry → you needn't worry (negative short form). Note: you could also say you don't need to worry. Example: they need not offer any explanation → they needn't offer any explanation / they don't need to offer any explanation.
A needle is a tool for sewing, not the short form of need not. Example: I need a needle to repair my socks.
Don't is the short form of do not, not of need not. Example: you do not worry → you don't worry.
Still facing difficulties with 'The short forms of modal verbs'? Improve your English with Gymglish's English lessons - try our online English course for free now and receive a free level assessment!
What our users say:
Find out about other grammar rules. Improve your English further and test Gymglish, online English lessons.
Tips for learning 'The short forms of modal verbs'? Share them with us!
