What is a Modal Verb?
In English, modal verbs are a small class of auxiliary verbs used to
express ability, permission, obligation, prohibition, probability,
possibility, advice.
Modality
This is just what the modal verbs can help explain further for the verb
that follows. These include:
Ability, Permission, Obligation, Prohibition, Probability,
Possibility, Advice
Examples of Modal Verbs
Can Could May Might Must Shall Should Will Would
All these modal verbs must come before a verb to help express at least
one of the modality examples listed above. In some cases, though they
can be used to express more than one modality.
Examples Sentences Containing Modal Verbs
Can
‘I can run’ – is an example of the modal verb ‘can’ impacting upon the
verb ‘run’. Here the modality that it is expressing is ability because the
··
individual
·
is stating that they are able to run.
‘Can I borrow your trainers?’ – this sentence shows the modal verb ‘can’
impacting upon the verb ‘borrow’. But, you may notice that the modality
is different. This time the modality expressed is permission, because the
individual is seeking permission to borrow.
‘Running can make you ache’ – again, ‘can’ is impacting upon a new
verb ‘make’. The modality expressed this time is possibility because the
individual is stating that it is possible that running can make you ache.
Could
Often ‘could’ can be used to replace can to express modality in a slightly
different way. Look at the first example for can again – if you changed ‘I
can run’ to ‘I could run’ you are still expressing ability, but you are now
expressing past ability instead. Try replacing could in the other two
sentences too. You’ll notice that it can still be used to seek permission,
and express possibility, but it just sounds slightly different and may be
interpreted slightly differently by the reader or listener.
May
‘I may swim tomorrow’ – ‘may’ is being used here to express both
possibility and probability. Because it could be both possible and
probable that the individual swims tomorrow.
‘May I swim tomorrow?’ – in this instance we have simply moved the
positioning of the words to create a new sentence. In this case the
individual is seeking permission, so the modality expressed is
permission again.
Might
In much the same was as could related to can, might relates to may. Try
changing may in the above sentences, you’ll notice that might and may
are interchangeable and both can be used to express probability,
possibility, and permission.
Must
‘You must raise your hand before you speak’ – the modal verb ‘must’ is
being used to express the modality of obligation by impacting upon the
verb ‘raise’. The speaker is telling somebody what they are obliged to
do, so must is being used to show that raising your hand is an
obligation.
‘You must not speak out of turn’ – in this sentence by adding the word
‘not’ between the modal verb and the verb ‘speak’, the modality that is
being expressed is prohibition, because the speaker is telling somebody
what they are prohibited from doing.
Should
‘You should sing more often’ – this sentence is used to express the
modality of advice. This is because the modal verb ‘should’ is being used
··
to
·
indicate that somebody is giving the advice to sing more to
somebody else.
‘I should visit my mother’ – interestingly, should can also be used to
express the modality of obligation, but in a slightly weaker sense than
‘must’ above. Here the speaker is stating that they ‘should’ visit their
mother, which hints at an obligation, but not whether or not they will
meet that obligation.
There are many other examples of modal verbs expressing different
modalities towards different verbs, but hopefully this guide has gone
some way to helping you understand modal verbs enough for you to go
and use them, identify them, and understand their purpose in a
sentence.
Modal verbs list: the modals and modal phrases (semi-modals) in English are:
Will Shall Would Should Ought to Must Mustn’t May Might Can
Could
Have to/ Has to
Don’t/ Doesn’t have to
Modal Verbs Rules
There are certain rules which surround the use of modal verbs, for
example the word ‘to’ must never be used after a modal verb. Learning
these rules and how a modal verb can function within a sentence can
greatly help you in forming grammatically correct sentences.
Will
The verb “will” is used to express:
Promise: Don’t worry, I will be here.
Instant decision: I will take these books with me.
Invitation/Offer: Will you give me a chance?
Certain prediction: John Smith will be the next President.
Future tense auxiliary: Tomorrow I will be in New York.
Shall
The verb “shall” is used to express:
Asking what to do: Shall I get the phone? Or will you?
Offer: Shall I call a cab?
Suggestion: Shall I call again on Thursday?
Would
The verb “would” is used to express:
Asking for permission: Would you mind if I opened the window?
Request: Would you make dinner?
Making arrangements: Would you be available at 6 pm tonight?
Invitation: Would you like to go out sometimes?
Preferences: Would you prefer the window seat or the aisle?
Should
The verb “should” is used to express:
Advice: You should visit your dentist at least twice a year.
Recommending action: You really should go to the new museum on Main
Street.
Uncertain prediction: I posted the cheque yesterday so it should arrive
this week.
Logical deduction: I’ve revised so I should be ready for the test.
Ought to
The verb “ought to” is used to express:
Advice: You ought to have come to the meeting. It was interesting.
Logical deduction: 30$ ought to be enough for the taxi.
Must
The verb “must” is used to express:
Obligation/necessity: I must memorize all of these rules about tenses.
Deduction: She lied to the police. She must be the murderer.
Mustn’t
The verb “musn’t” (must not) is used to express:
Prohibition: You mustn’t smoke in this restaurant. It’s forbidden.
May
The verb “may” is used to express:
Ask for permission: May I borrow your dictionary?
Might
The verb “might” is used to express:
Slight possibility: It looks nice, but it might be very expensive.
The past form of “may” in reported speech: The President said he might come.
Can
The verb “can” is used to express:
Ability: David can speak three languages. Permission (informal): Can
I sit in that chair please? Offers: Can I carry the luggage for you?
Could
The verb “could” is used to express:
Request: Could I borrow your dictionary?
Suggestion: Could you say it again more slowly?
Ability in the past: I think we could have another Gulf War.
Asking for permission: Could I open the window?
Have to/has to
The verb “have to/has to” is used to express:
External Obligation: You have to take off your shoes before you get into the
mosque.
Don’t/ Doesn’t have to
“Don’t/Doesn’t have to” is used to express:
Is not necessary: You don’t have to do all the exercises, only the first one.
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Using modal verbs to express ability
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