Here is a list of modals with examples: Modal Verb Expressing Example must Strong obligation You must stop when the traffic lights turn red. Modal verbs are used to express functions such as: The verbs or expressions dare, ought to, had better, and need not behave like modal auxiliaries to a large extent and may be added to the above list Use of modal verbs: Here is a list of modal verbs: can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must They are used to indicate modality and allow speakers to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability List of modal verbs.They are always followed by an infinitive without 'to' (e.i.Here are some characteristics of modal verbs: They have a great variety of communicative functions. They are different from normal verbs like 'work, play, visit.' They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries) are special verbs that behave irregularly in English.