Modals

Ms. Amandeep Kaur

Amandeep Kaur
 Modals
• Modals or modal auxiliaries are usually used
along with the main verbs and not alone.
• Together with the main verbs that follow, the
modal auxiliaries convey the mode or manner of
actions indicated by the verbs.
• They express such ideas as possibility, ability,
probability, permission, obligation or duty, etc.
Modal auxiliaries are shall, should, will, would,
• can, could, may, might, must, dare, need, ought
to and used to.
Amandeep Kaur
 Shall
(i) Shall is used with the first person to express the simple future.
Example: We shall go to the supermarket in the
evening.
(ii) Shall is also used with the second and third persons
• (a) to express a command.
Examples: • You shall complete it on time.
• He shall attend the meeting tomorrow.
(b) to express a threat.
Examples: • You shall pay for your mistakes.
• He shall be fined for this carelessness.
(c) to express a promise.
Examples: • You shall get rewarded for good work.
• He shall get a promotion for sincere work.
(iii) In interrogative sentences, shall is used with the first person to
express an offer or a suggestion.
Examples: • Shall we go for a walk?
• Shall I carry the books for you?

Amandeep Kaur
 Should
Should is the past tense of shall.
(i) It is used to denote the past tense of shall in indirect speech.
Examples: • He said that I should leave early.
• She said that we should be well prepared for the singing contest.

(ii) It is used to express duty or advice.

Examples: • We should respect our teachers.
• You should practice the song well for the contest.
(iii) It is used to express purpose.
Examples: • The lady shouted for help lest the chain snatcher should run
away scot-free.
• The security guards blocked the gate lest the thief should escape.
(iv) It is used to show an assumption or inference.
Examples: • He should have left by now.
• She should have called you by now.

Amandeep Kaur
 Will
(i) Will is used with the first person
(a) to express willingness or offer.
Examples: • I will go with you to the hospital.
• I will carry those cartons for you.
(b) to express a resolution.
Examples: • I will lose weight in a month.
• We will win this election.
(c) to express an intention or promise.
Examples: • We will get a nice gift for you.
• I will travel to Goa to meet my cousins.
(d) to express a threat.
Examples: • I will take you to task. • I will expel you for this behaviour.
(ii) Will is used with the second and third persons to express simple future.
Examples: • You will discover new places on your next visit to Delhi.
• She will join the school next month.
(iii) In interrogative sentences, we use will with the second and third persons.
Examples: • Will you bring a glass of water, please?
• Will you lend me your binoculars for a week?
• Will he reach the venue on time?

Amandeep Kaur
 Would
Would is the past tense of will.
(i) It is used to denote the past tense of will or shall in indirect speech.
Examples: • She informed us that she would buy a new car.
• He said that he would take care of the injured puppy.
(ii) It is used to express a habitual activity in the past.
Examples: • She would sit in the sun and knit scarves in winter.
• He would play cricket in school for hours.
(iii) It is used to make polite requests.
Examples: • Would you have some lemon juice?
• Would you carry this bag for me, please?
(iv) It is used to express a wish.
Examples: • I wish I would win a lottery.
• I always have to get home early. I wish my parents would let me stay
out later.
(v) It is used to express a preference. Examples: • I would rather play
tennis. • She would rather be quiet than answer back rudely.
(vi) It is used to express improbable or unreal condition.
Examples: • If I got a magic pot, I would prepare food for many.
• Had you known the film star, you would have spent more time with
him?

Amandeep Kaur
 Can
Can is used for all persons in the present tense.
(i) Can is used to express ability resulting from physical
power or capacity, or from knowledge or skill.
Examples: • I can lift this carton.
• Sudha can knit.
• Kiran can paint well.
(ii) Can is used to express permission.
Examples: • You can take rest tomorrow.
• You cannot walk on the grass.
(iii) Can is used to express possibility.
Examples: • Any child can grow up to be the President.
• Winters in Shimla can be very cold.

Amandeep Kaur
 Could
Could is used for all persons in the past tense. (i)
Could is used to express ability, permission and
possibility when the main verb is in the past tense.
Examples: • I could jog for many kilometres when I
was young.
• She could watch a film on television whenever she
desired.
(ii) Could is used to express a polite request.
Examples: • Could you show me the way to the
canteen?
• Could you lend me your geometry box, please?
Amandeep Kaur
 May
May is used for all persons in present tense and in
future tense.
(i) May is used to express possibility. Examples: •
He may be absent today as he is not keeping
well. • The bag may belong to Renu. She
was sitting next to it.
(ii) May is used to express or to seek permission.
Examples: • You may come in. • May I
read your book?
(iii) May is used to express a wish. Examples: • May
you enjoy good health! • May countless
blessings come your way!

Amandeep Kaur
 Might
Might is used for all persons in past tense.
(i) Might is used to express permission. Examples: • The principal
said that the sick teacher might go home early. • Raman
said that I might borrow his cricket bat.
(ii) Might is used to express possibility. Examples: • She guessed that
he might be in the auditorium for rehearsal. • Veena said
that she might join a new company next year.
(iii) (iii) Might is used to express speculation about past actions.
Examples: • She might have managed to get a ticket for the new
play. • The new advertisement might have given a boost
to the sale of this snack item.
(iv) (iv) Both may and might are used to convey that there is a good
reason. Examples: • You may as well join them. • You
might just as well join them or not.

Amandeep Kaur
 Must
Must refers to the present or the future tense.
(i) Must is used to say that it is necessary to do something sometimes
involving a rule or a law.
Examples: • All visitors must report to reception.
• You must show your ticket.
(ii) It is used to denote certainty or strong belief. Example: All that exists
in the world must perish one day.
(iii) It is used in deductions when we realise that something is certainly
true, or when we are sure of something.
Examples: • The Councillor must be tired of listening to the complaints
of the residents of the area.
• You must be hungry after all that walking.
(iv) It is used to recommend that someone do something because you
think it is a good idea.
Examples: • You simply must read this book.
• We must get together soon for lunch.

Amandeep Kaur
 Dare
Dare means to have the courage to do something.
(i) It is mostly used in interrogative sentences.
Examples: • Dare he behave rudely with me?
• Dare he say this?
(ii) It is also used in negative sentences.
Examples: • He dare not come here.
• She dare not say this.
(iii) It can be used to convey that one possesses courage
to face someone or something.
Example: • India is ready to dare any foreign attack.
(iv) Dare can also be used to indicate a challenge.
Examples: • I dare you to eat all the food on the table.
• I dare you to prove that my observation is wrong
Amandeep Kaur
 Need
Need is used to express necessity or obligation.
(i) It is commonly used in negatives and
imperatives. Example: • I do not need your
help.
(ii) Need can also be used to denote requirement
or desire. Example: I need to go there.

Amandeep Kaur
 Ought
Ought to refers to present, past or future tense.
Ought to is used to make a suggestion or to give
advice.
It carries with it a sense of moral obligation or
duty
• Examples: • You ought to be considerate
towards your neighbours.
• We ought to help the poor and the needy

Amandeep Kaur
 Used to
Used to goes with the infinitive of other verbs
to refer to the past habitual actions.
Examples:
• Affirmative : She used to assist you.
• Interrogative : Used she to assist you? (Note
that this is an archaic form)
• Negative : She never used to assist you.

Amandeep Kaur
 Tip

Amandeep Kaur