Section A : Grammar

20 The Modal Auxiliaries

NOTES

Modal Auxiliaries are different from Primary Auxiliaries in several ways. They can't
be used like a main verb. Neither do they help in Tense formation.
Modal Auxiliaries express the attitude of the speaker.
Can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, need, dare, must, ought to etc.
are Modal Auxiliary Verbs.
Usage of Modal Auxiliaries
Can – Can is used to show ability, permission and possibility. Such as :
I can speak in English. (ability)
He can win the match. (ability)
Can I sit here ? (Permission)
Check Your Progress
Yes, you can. (Permission)
25. Define Modal Auxilia-
You can reach Delhi by 8 A.M. tomorrow. (Possibility) ries.
She can complete the work in a week. (Possibility)
Could – Could is used to show ability in Past Tense. It also can be used to seek
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permission with greater politeness and express possibilities more strongly. Such as
:
Communication Skills & He could ride a horse in his young age. (ability)
Personality Development They could work really very hard. (ability)
Could I have a cup of tea ? (permission)
NOTES Could you allow me to accompany you ? (permission)
The road could be blocked. (strong possibility)
He could come today. (strong possibility)
May/might – May is used to seek permission formally. Such as :
It may rain. (strong possibility)
He may come tomorrow. (strong possibility)
May I go out for a walk ? (permission)
May he attend the class ? (permission)
Might expresses weak possibility. Such as :
It might rain today. (weak possibility)
He might come today. (weak possibility)
Shall/will – Shall is used with I and we and will is used with the rest to express
simple futurity. As:
I shall go to school tomorrow.
He will come from America next week.
We shall learn English.
John will buy a car. bR;kfnA
Use of will with I and we expresses strong intention. As :
I will become a pilot.
We will win this match.
You, he, she, it, they and Nouns when used with shall express hidden threat,
command, instructions etc. As :
You shall complete your homework first. (command)
They shall face the result. (threat)
The school shall re-open on Monday. (Official Instruction)
Should and Would are used to seek permission with greater politeness. Such as :
Should I use your phone ? (permission)
Would you have a cup of tea ? (request)
Needn't – Needn't is used to show something is not required. Such as :
You needn't go there.
He needn't come to me.
Manu needn't trouble herself any more.
Must – Must is used to express strong advice and firm intention or compulsion.
126 Such as :
 You must work hard to succeed. (strong advice) Section A : Grammar
They must obey their parents. (strong advice)
I must become a pilot. (firm intention)
We must win the match. (compulsion) NOTES

She must complete her homework. (compulsion)

Daren't – Daren't is used in the sense of not having the courage. Such as :
She daren't talk to me.
He daren't go outside in the dark.
Ought to – Ought to shows moral responsibility as well as strong advice. Such as
:
You ought to go to school. (strong advice)
We ought to be honest. (moral responsibility)
People ought to serve their motherland. (moral responsibility)
Exercise
A. Supply appropriate Auxiliary Verbs from the box given below :
daren't, needn't, must, can, may, should, can, could,
shall, ought to, should, shall
1. I ................... not speak in English.
2. She ................... pass the exams.
3. You ................... consult a doctor.
4. Mahima ................... win the match.
5. The programme ................... be postponed.
6. The Academy ................... remain closed on Saturday.
7. The student ................... first complete their homework.
8. We ................... obey our elders.
9. One ................... be honest to be great.
10. ................... I use your telephone, Sir ?
11. She ................... harm me.
12. He ................... work so hard to pass.
B. Fill in the blanks with suitable Modal Auxiliaries taken from the
brackets :
1. ................... you like to go for a walk. (should, would)
2. The rich ................... help the poor. (should, ought to)
3. ................... you paint a picture ? (can, could)
4. ................... I help you. (can, could)
5. All ................... be honest. (should, would)
6. We work so that we ................... enjoy. (may, can)
7. You ................... not go there today. (need, must)
8. ................... you please speak truth ? (will, would) 127
Communication Skills & 9. ................... God bless you ! (may, can)
Personality Development 10. India ................... win the match. (may, might)
11. It ................... rain today. (may, can)
NOTES
12. We ................... be kind to others. (should, must)
C. Use the following Modals in your own sentences as directed :
1. can (ability) : I can do anything in the world.
2. can (permission) : Can I .....................................................?
3. can (possibility) : ................................................................
4. may (permission) : May I .....................................................?
5. may (possibility) : ................................................................
6. might (possibility) : ................................................................
7. must (strong advice) : ................................................................
8. daren't : ................................................................
9. ought to (strong advice) : ................................................................

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