What is Modal Verb or Modal Auxiliary Verb ?
A modal verb or modal Auxiliary verb is a type of verbs that expresses the distinction of mood . They are helping verbs like to show intent, possibility, ability, necessity, obligation, permission, advice, etc.
Most common modal verbs are -can, could, must, may, might,should, shall, will, would .
Some others are – ought to , used to , need to , have to , got to , dare .
Semi modals or modal phrases – have to, need to, used to, ought to, Don’t have to, Doesn’t have to, mustn’t, , shouldn’t etc .
Examples of sentences –
I can do the job .
Can you do it ?
May God bless you.
I would like to listen to the speech.
Types of modal verbs –
1 . Expressing Ability – can, could .
He can finish the game .
Negative form –
You can’t do this without my help .
He could perform better .
2 . Possibility – may, might, could , can
Though its tough , but you could do this .
She may join us .
Negative form – She may not join us .
It might be raining today .
3. Permission – can, may, could – These are used to seek or to give permission .
May I come in ? ( May is used for polite and more formal questions )
Can I go there?
Negative form – Can’t I go there ?
You may join the meeting now .
4 . Request – will, would, can, could
Will you share your experiences please ?
Can you give me a glass of water?
Would you like to help me ?
5 . Suggestion / Advice – should , ought to
You should read enough .
Negative form – You shouldn’t stop reading .
6 . Command – must, have to , need to
You must clean your dresses .
You have to complete the task .
You need to come before the prayer .
Negative form – You must not do that again .
7 . Obligation / Necessity – must, have to, need to, should , will , ought to
They have to wait for their coach . ( Obligation )
You must plan to get success . ( Necessity )
Negative form – I don’t need to hire the cab .
They ought to practice enough.
8 . Habit – will , would , used to , might
He used to walk in the morning .
I will join the meeting early as usual .
I would like to listen to the music .
9. Likelihood – Some things likely to happen but can’t be a definite fact . must, should , ought to- these areused for this .
He must be happy now .
You should be relaxed now .
He ought to be there by now .
10 . Expectation – shall, should, will, would
He should achieve a good result .
They will get the trophy .
I would thank them if I get a chance to speak .
10 . Enquiry – can, could , will
Can you help to use mediclaim policy ?
Could you rent your apartment?
Will there be any vacancy next month ?
11. Preference / Offer – would , will
Would you like to take tea ?
Would you prefer the window seat ?
Will you take a little more tea ?
12 . Moral duty – ought to, should
We should respect our teachers .
You ought to be polite to others .
Negative form – You ought not to have this behavior to your companion .
Modals can be divided broadly in three categories –
1 . Epistemic – relating to speculation
2 . Deontic – relating to regulations
3. Dynamic – relating to performance .
Modal Verbs and Tense– These verbs don’t change their forms to make different tenses . Only few of these can refer to Past Tense , like – could, might, should, would . But they are also used in Present and Future Tenses. Sometimes they can be used as the Past form of can, may, shall, will .
We use ‘ have ‘ after the modal verbs but don’t use has or had . To use modal verbs in past, the form is – modal verb + have + past participle form of verbs. We don’t use had .
Example – He might have done this .
Some other rules of Modal Verbs –
We can’t add any ‘ s ‘, ‘ es ‘, ‘ ing ‘ with the main or base verbs which are used just after the Modal Verbs.
Example – He can do this . ( Correct ) He can doing this . ( Incorrect ) He can does this . ( Incorrect )
We can’t use ‘ to ‘ after the Modal Verbs.
Example– He should try to find out the solution . ( Correct )
He should to try to find out the solution. ( Incorrect )
