Course: 13. Modal Verbs

Examples:

Features:

They are a type of auxiliary verb or helping verb.
Thus, all modal verbs are auxiliary verbs by all auxiliary verbs are not modal verbs.
They always come before the main verb.
They cannot be there on their own in a sentence.
Modal verbs do not change by change in the (first / second / third) person.
Modal verbs do not change by change in number of person (singular / plural).
Modal verbs have no 'ing' or 'ed' form.
Negative sentences are formed by adding 'not' to the modal verbs.
Main Verb after the modal verb is always used in its root form & past or present participle form of the verb is never used.

Examples:

1. I may visit my grandmother today.

Here, 'may' is the modal verb and 'visit' is the main verb. The sentence will make no sense without the main verb 'visit'.

2. I can write very fast. (first person)

You can write very fast. (second person).

They can write very fast. (third person & plural)

Here, the modal verb 'can' doesn't change form with person or number.

3. Tom cannot (or can't) go to the party tonight. (negative form)

The ten common modal verbs are:

The modal verb 'could' is the past tense of the modal verb 'can'.

To express	Examples
Ability or capacity	I can walk up the hill. (present ability)
Ability or capacity	I could run up the hill when I was a child. (past ability)
Permission (seek & grant)	Can he go home now? (seek)
	Yes, he can go home now. (grant)
	Could you go to the store? (past)
Possibility	It can rain now. (strong)
Possibility	It could rain in the evening. (weak)
Offer	Can I clean the room for you?
Offer	Could I get you something to eat?
Suggestion	You can drop me home today.
Suggestion	We could play after you finish your work.
Request	Can you please help me with the homework?
Request	Could you please pass those books?
Negative Use	We can't make it to the party tonight.
Negative Use	We couldn't sleep on the flight.
'Could' as indirect speech	You said that I could go for picnic.

To express	Examples
Future actions	We shall go for the meeting tomorrow.
A promise or assurance	We shall do our bit for the country.
Offer	Shall I call the doctor?
Suggestion	Shall I open the door?
An advice or confirmation	Shall we go through the notes now?
Obligation	All parents shall pay the fees tomorrow.
Will of the person	Shall I get you a dress for the dinner?
Command	You shall follow the rules.

It is the past tense of the modal verb 'shall'.

To Express	Examples
Future actions	They should win the match.
Past action	I should have completed the work yesterday.
Duty or obligation	Children should obey their elders.
Advice or recommendations	Everyone should exercise regularly.
Advice or recommendations	We should use more renewable energy.
Suggestion	We should leave early to avoid traffic.
Probability	The restaurant should open soon.
Logical deduction	Tom should be late for the dinner due to the traffic.
Prohibition (negative use)	You shouldn't talk to strangers.

To express	Examples
Simple future actions	They will come for the wedding next week.
Promise or assurance	We will complete the project on time.
Offer	I will help you pack the food.
Predictions	There will be heavy rains tomorrow.
Formal announcement of a future event.	The Prime Minister will inaugurate the event next week.
Willingness	Sam will come for practice today.
Invitation	Will you come for my party?
Habits	She will always have her evening coffee here.
Order or give instructions	You will stay here until I return.
Order or give instructions	All students will remain quiet during the prayer.
Future decisions or intentions	By next March we will be completing our college.
Negative use	They won't be coming for the party.

It is past tense of the verb 'will'.

To express	Examples
Past equivalent of verb 'will'	They would go to the park if they had time.
Future actions in the past	The doctor said he would call me later.
Preferences or desires	I would prefer a cup of coffee.
Request	Would you please pass me the newspaper?
Conditional or unreal situations	I would read more if i had the time.
Offer	Would you like some more juice?
Past habits	Every Sunday I would visit my grandparents.
Negative use	I wouldn't mess with them.

'Might' is the past tense of the verb 'may'.

To Express	Examples
Permission (seek)	May I borrow your book?
Permission (seek)	Might I borrow your book? (rarely used)
Grant of permission (conditional permission - use might)	You may leave now.
Grant of permission (conditional permission - use might)	If you behave well, I might allow you to go to the party.
Possibility	She may go to the movie. (strong)
Possibility	She might come for the movie. (weak)
Suggestion	You may consult the teacher before you leave.
Suggestion	You might like to meet the teacher before you leave.
Past possibility (might)	Tom might have missed the flight due to traffic.
Prayers, wishes & hope (may)	May you have all the happiness and peace in your life.
Prayers, wishes & hope (may)	May all your wishes come true.
Negative Use	They may not reach on time for the event.
Negative Use	They might not not allow a late entry for the event.

To express	Examples
Strong obligation	You must wear a helmet while riding a bike.
Duty	The government must give primary education to all children.
Necessity	I must study for the exams.
Necessity	You must take your medicines immediately.
Strong certainty	She must have slept as the lights are off.
Reason behind something	He must be happy as he stood first in the class.
Past action	They must have taken the earlier flight.
Prohibition	You must not smoke in the room.

To express	Examples
Advice or recommendation	You ought to exercise every day to remain healthy.
Moral obligation or duty	You ought to help the poor and needy.
Probability	She ought to get promotion this year.
Expectation	The bus ought to arrive on time.
Polite suggestion	You ought to try the new pizza restaurant.
Negative use	You ought not to have said bad things about them.