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:

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.

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.

These verbs express obligation, permission and necessity:

There aren’t any flights that allow smoking.

Millie made us walk back.

Do you want him to come and work here?