Understanding modals of necessity: must, have got to, have to [infographic]

Like other modal verbs, modals of necessity are guilty of strange behavior. Learn about their feisty habits with this infographic.

What is a Modal Verb?

 
Modals are small helping verbs that are used in past, present and future tense to convey ideas such as prohibition, obligation, necessity, permission and ability. The list includes will, should, would, can, may, might and must. Many have multiple meanings and are used in more than one way, and they are always followed by a verb in its simple form, such as “walk” or “give.”