A modal verb is a verb, for example ‘can’, ‘might’, or ‘must’ that is used before another verb to show that something is possible, necessary, etc. Here are some of the uses and meanings of modal verbs. For a more detailed description, use a good grammar book. Here are the main modal verbs of English: can could may might must ought shall will would Expressing degrees of certainty In the speaker’s opinion, John has the car: The car’s not here – John must have taken it.
The speaker thinks this is Clare’s sister but is not sure: She might/could be Clare’s sister She looks very like her . . The speaker thinks this is not possible: She can’t be his mother – she’s younger than me. The speaker is sure she will do it: If she’s promised to do it she’ll do it. The speaker is not sure if it will rain: It might/could rain. It’s getting cloudy. We also use need and have to as modal verbs. Same word, different use Each modal verb has more than one use. For example, look at these two sentences with can.
Look at the modal verb ‘can’. How many meanings can you ? nd? Expressing instructions, advice, permission, and necessity to give instructions or to say that something is necessary You must wear a helmet when riding a bike. You mustn’t smoke in here. I have to be at the dentist at 3 o’clock. You needn’t shut the door . to give advice or to express a strong opinion You should/ought to go to bed if you’re tired. She shouldn’t worry about me. to give and ask for permission She can borrow my dress. Can/May/Could I open the window? Forming modal verbs
The Essay on Auxiliary Verb Verbs Modal Forms
People all over the world are very fond of sports and games. That is one of the things in which people of every nationality and class are united. The most popular outdoor winter sports are shooting, hunting, hockey and, in the countries where the weather is frosty and there is much snow - skating, skiing and tobogganing. Summer affords excellent opportunities for swimming, boating, yachting, ...
Modal verbs are very different from other verbs of English: The forms of the verbs do not change, for example there is no -s in the third person of the present tense. I can speak Spanish and she can speak Portuguese. They are always followed by a main verb and cannot be used as a main verb by themselves. I must make a phone call. / We won’t wait for you. They do not use do and did to form questions, negatives, and short answers. ‘He wouldn’t steal anything, would he? ’ ‘Oh yes he would. ’
Match the sentences on the left with the use on the right: 1 2 3 4 5 You can borrow my camera if you like. If you feel very ill you should go to the doctor. You must lock the door. You don’t need to bring food – just something to drink. I need to make a phone call before I go out. a b c d e instructions permission necessary advice not necessary can could may might must ought to shall will would ’ll ’d cannot could not may not might not must not ought not to shall not will not would not can’t couldn’t mightn’t mustn’t oughtn’t to shan’t won’t wouldn’t
