Modal verbs · CEFR A1
“Can to” or “can”? Modal verbs without “to”
Incorrect
I can to swim
Correct
I can swim
After can, could, must, should, will, would, may and might, use the base verb with no to: “I can swim”, “You should go”.
The rule
modal + base verb: can speak, must leave, might rain.
Some similar expressions do use to: have to, need to, ought to, be able to, want to. “I have to go” is correct.
Modals also don’t take -s: “She can”, not “She cans”.
Examples
✗ I can to help you.
✓ I can help you.
✗ You must to finish today.
✓ You must finish today.
✗ We should to leave now.
✓ We should leave now.
Why learners make this mistake
Learners know English infinitives start with to (to go, to swim) and add it after every verb, including modals.
Remember
Modal verbs are strong - they don’t need TO.
Frequently asked questions
- Is “ought to” a modal?
- Yes, and it is the exception: ought to go. But it is rare in everyday speech; should is more common.
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