Skip to main content

Modality: other verbs

Apart from the core modal verbs, some other common verbs express modal meaning.

Verbs expressing possibility​

These verbs express possibility and likelihood:

appearfeelknowreckonsuppose
believegatherlookseemtend
expectguesspromisesoundthink

I expect to be back home by 6.

I think the meeting is about to start.

I suppose we’d better go.

I promise you that I will continue to listen and, where I can, I will do my best.

Appear, feel, look, seem and sound with it​

We often use it with appear, feel, look, seem and sound when the following clause is the subject of the verb. It anticipates the subject:

  • It appears that they won’t be able to sell the house.
  • It seems like I was dreaming.
  • It feels more comfortable in here than in the kitchen.

Verbs expressing obligation​

These verbs express obligation, permission and necessity:

allowforcemakepermitrequire
demandinvolvemeanprohibitwant
forbidletoblige

There aren’t any flights that allow smoking.

Millie made us walk back.

Do you want him to come and work here?

See also
  • Allow, permit or let?
  • Can
  • Let: permission
  • Make
  • Mean
  • Must
  • Ought to
  • Permit or permission?
  • Should
  • Want