What is the difference between a modal verb and a helping verb?

Modal verbs are used to express possibility, obligation, or necessity. Helping verbs are used to provide additional information about a main verb.

Here are some examples of modal verbs and helping verbs:

Modal verbs:

• can
• may
• must
• should
• ought to

Helping verbs:

• is
• am
• are
• was
• were

As you can see, modal verbs are used to express a wider range of ideas than helping verbs. Modal verbs can be used to express obligation, possibility, or necessity, while helping verbs are used to provide additional information about a main verb.