Modal
verbs are auxiliary verbs (also called helping verbs) like can, will,
could, shall, must, would, might, and should. After a
modal verb, the root form of a verb is generally used. The word to should
not appear after a modal verb. An exception is the phrase ought to,
which is considered a modal verb.
Modal verbs add meaning to the main verb in
a sentence by expressing possibility, ability, permission, or obligation.
You must turn
in your assignment on time.
He might be
the love of my life.
The
doctor can see
you now.
When a modal verb precedes the main verb in a sentence or
clause, use the root of the verb rather than the infinitive, which contains the
word to.
The doctor can
to see you now. (incorrect)
The one case in which we deviate from this rule and use the full
infinitive form of a verb is with the modal phrase “ought to”
The
doctor ought
to see you now. (You’ve waited long enough.)
To Do as a Modal Verb
The verb to do
can be used as modal verb or a main verb. In this sentence, to do is
being used as a main verb and can is
being used as a modal verb.
You
can do it.
Whereas in this example, do is
used as a modal verb.
You
do know how to sing!
Remember, however, that do can
be used as a modal verb only if there is no other modal verb present in the
sentence.
Thank
you, I can do sing.(incorrect)
Thank
you, I do sing. (correct)
Thank
you, I can sing. (correct).
What are modal verbs?
Modals (also called modal verbs, modal
auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries) are special verbs which
behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like
"work, play, visit..." They give additional information about
the function of
the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative
functions.
Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:
- They
never change their form. You can't add "s", "ed",
"ing"...
- They
are always followed by an infinitive without "to" (e.i. the bare
infinitive.)
- They
are used to indicate modality allow speakers to express certainty,
possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability
Here's a list of the modal verbs in English:
|
can |
could |
may |
might |
will |
|
must |
shall |
should |
ought to |
Modals are different from normal verbs:
1: They don't use an 's' for the third person singular.
2: They make questions by inversion ('she can go' becomes 'can she go?').
3: They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb (without 'to').
Probability:
First,
they can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something happened /
is happening / will happen. We often call these 'modals of deduction' or
'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'.
For example:
·
It's snowing, so it must be very
cold outside.
·
I don't know where John is. He could
have missed the train.
·
This bill can't be right.
£200 for two cups of coffee!
Click here to find out more about probability.
Ability
We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or
ability.
For example:
·
She can speak six
languages.
·
My grandfather could play golf
very well.
·
I can't drive.
Click here to find out more about ability.
Obligation and Advice
We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'should' to say
when something is necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice.
For example:
·
Children must do their
homework.
·
We have to wear a
uniform at work.
·
You should stop smoking.
Click here to find out more about obligation
Permission
We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may'
to ask for and give permission. We also use modal verbs to say something is not
allowed.
For example:
·
Could I leave early
today, please?
·
You may not use the
car tonight.
·
Can we swim in
the lake?
Habits
We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits
or things we usually do, or did in the past.
For example:
·
When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in
the restaurant next to my flat.
·
John will always be late!
Past modals
The past modals 'could have + past participle', 'should have
+ past participle' and 'would have + past participle' can be confusing. I
explain about them here. Here's a list of the modal verbs in English:
|
can |
could |
may |
might |
will |
|
must |
shall |
should |
ought to |
Modals are
different from normal verbs:
1: They don't use an 's' for the third person singular.
2: They make questions by inversion ('she can go' becomes 'can she go?').
3: They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb (without 'to').
Probability:
First, they can
be used when we want to say how sure we are that something happened / is
happening / will happen. We often call these 'modals of deduction' or
'speculation' or 'certainty' or 'probability'.
For example:
·
It's snowing, so it must be very cold outside.
·
I don't know where John is. He could have missed the train.
·
This bill can't be right. £200 for two cups of coffee!
Click here to find out
more about probability.
Ability
We use 'can' and 'could' to talk about a skill or ability.
For example:
·
She can speak six languages.
·
My grandfather could play golf very well.
·
I can't drive.
Click here to find out
more about ability.
Obligation and Advice
We can use verbs such as 'must' or 'should' to say when
something is necessary or unnecessary, or to give advice.
For example:
·
Children must do their homework.
·
We have to wear a uniform at work.
·
You should stop smoking.
Click here to find out
more about obligation
Permission
We can use verbs such as 'can', 'could' and 'may' to ask for
and give permission. We also use modal verbs to say something is not allowed.
For example:
·
Could I leave early today, please?
·
You may not use the car tonight.
·
Can we swim in the lake?
Habits
We can use 'will' and 'would' to talk about habits or things
we usually do, or did in the past.
For example:
·
When I lived in Italy, we would often eat in the restaurant
next to my flat.
·
John will always be late!
COULD
SHOULD
SHOULD HAVE
OUGHT TO
MUST
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