Modals
A modal verb is a type of verb that is used to indicate modality – that is likelihood, ability,
permission, request, capacity, suggestions, order, obligation, or advice.
12.1 Modals
Modal verbs are used with other verbs to express ability, obligation, permission,
possibility, and so on.
The verb that comes after a modal is always in the base form.
Examples:
My little sister must wear a
scarf. ✓
My little sister must wears a
scarf. X
The negative of a modal is formed just like any other verb. Add ‘not’ after the modal.
The negative can also be written in a contracted form.
Examples:
must not → mustn’t
will not → won’t
should → shouldn’t
Notes:
The contraction for ‘may not’ (mayn’t) and ‘might not’ (mightn’t) are used in spoken
usage, and only in informal writing.
You do not pronounce the letter ‘t’ in ‘must’ when the modals is in the negative and in a
contracted form. Thus, you read ‘mustn’t’ as ‘MA-ZENT’
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g p p
Modal Verb Uses Examples
Can To show ability (able to do I can speak five languages.
something).
Can I join you for lunch?
To ask for permission.
Could To show ability in the past. Zac could sing when he was
nine years old.
To request or ask for
permission. Could we have some coffee?
To give suggestions or future We could go to the new café.
possibilities.
May To ask for and give May I use your laptop?
permission.
I may attend the meeting
To express the possibility of tomorrow.
something happening in the
future.
Might To express the possibility of The sky is quite cloudy. It
something happening in the might rain later.
future.
The clouds are dark. It may
However, ‘might’ is less dure rain later.
than ‘may’
Must/ Have to To show necessity (there is no You must read a lot in order
choice). It is compulsory. to do well in essay writing.
The phrase ‘have to’ is used in To do well in essay writing you
the same way as ‘must’. have to read a lot.
Should To give advice. You should pay attention to
the lecturer.
To express an obligation or a
duty to do something. Children should not eat a lot
of sweets.
Would To show actions that did I would always take two eggs
regularly in the past but not for breakfast but I don’t do it
now. now.
To have a polite request. I would like to add two
teaspoons of sugar if it’s no
problem.
Will To state that one will do I will call the management
something. later.
To make a request. Will you help me carry this
luggage?
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