Modal Auxiliaries

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Definition

  • Modal auxiliary verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that is used to express the modality of the main verb in a sentence.
  • Modal verbs expresses the mode of action denoted by the main verbs
  • In other words, modal auxiliary verbs help to express the degree of necessity, obligation, ability, possibility, and permission of the action or state of being that is being described.

Nine types of modal auxiliary verbs

1. Can:

  • express ability, permission, possibility or make requests
  • sub + can / cannot + main verb For example:
  • I can play the guitar.
  • Can I borrow your pen?
  • It can get pretty hot in the summer.

2. Could:

  • past tense form of the can
  • express possibility or past ability or make requests
  • sub + could / couldn't+ main verb For example:
  • I could swim when I was younger.
  • Could you pass me the salt, please?
  • It could rain later today.

3. May

  • expressing permission or possibility. For example:
  • You may leave early today.
  • May I ask you a question?
  • It may snow tomorrow.

4. Might:

  • past tense form of may and is used to express possibility or permission. For example:
  • I might go to the party later.
  • Might I have a glass of water?
  • It might be too late to go out.

5. Must:

  •  express necessity or obligation, compulsion, determination, prohibition For example:
  • I must finish this report today.
  • You must wear a helmet when riding a bike.
  • We must leave by 10 PM.

6. Shall

  • express future intention or suggestion, promise
  • simple future - 1st person (I/we)
  • Threat, Promise, determination, command when used with 2nd or 3rd person (you, he, she, it, they) For example:
  • We shall meet again soon.
  • Shall we go to the movies tonight?
  • Shall I call you tomorrow?

7. Should

  • express advice, suggestion, or expectation, duty, obligation
  • past tense of shall For example:
  • You should see a doctor if you feel sick.
  • Should I buy this shirt or that one?
  • Students should arrive on time for class.

8. Will

  • expressing future intention or prediction.
  • simple future - 2nd or 3rd person (you,he,she,it,they)
  • Threat, Promise, determination, command when used with 1st person For example:
  • I will visit my parents next week.
  • Will you be attending the party?
  • It will rain tomorrow.

9. Would

  •  past tense form of will and is used to express willingness, preference, or past habits, polite request For example:
  • I would like to order a pizza.
  • Would you prefer coffee?

Other Modals verbs

1. Need

  • Principal as well as a defective verb. As a defective verb used in weakness, necessity, obligation (Negative and Interrogative sentences) For example:
  • You need to do this.

2. Ought to

  • moral duty, obligation, advice, strong probability For example:
  • You ought to respect the national anthem

3. Used to

  • Past habit For example:
  • I used to play football a long time ago

4. Has / Had / Have to

  • forced action of future or past For example:
  • You have to come to the school

5. Be able to

  • is not a modal verb.
  • the verb (be) + an adjective (able) + the infinitive (to).
  • sometimes used instead of can and could
  • talk about ability
  • sub + be form verb + able to + main verb
  • sub + be form verb + not + able to + main verb For example:
  • I have been able to swim since I was five. (present perfect)
  • You will be able to speak perfect English very soon. (future simple)
  • I would like to be able to fly an airplane. (infinitive)

General instruction while using modal auxiliaries

  • Modals always express the imaginary actions like ability, power, permission, request, possibility, willingness, certainty, right and wrong, necessity, etc.
  • Modal auxiliary verbs are always followed by the base form of the main verb (also known as the bare infinitive).
  • Modals do not come alone, they always take the 1st form of the verb with them.
    • “I can swim” and “She should study.”
  • Modal auxiliary verbs are never used with the auxiliary verb “do” to form questions, negatives, or emphatic statements.
    • “Can you swim?” not “Do you can swim?”
  • The negative form of modal auxiliary verbs is created by adding “not” after the modal.
    • “I cannot swim” and “She should not study.”
  • Modal auxiliary verbs do not change form according to the subject.

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