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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. They also tells us the mood or sentiments of the speaker. We can understand the meaning of the modal by the rising and falling tone of the speaker.

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

List of modal verbs

Here is a list of modal verbs:

can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must

The verbs or expressions dare, ought to, had better, and need not behave like modal auxiliaries to a large extent and my be added to the above list 


Modal Verb

Expressing

Example

must

Strong obligation

You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.

logical conclusion / Certainty

He must be very tired. He's been working all day long.

must not

prohibition

You must not smoke in the hospital.

can

ability

I can swim.

permission

Can I use your phone please?

possibility

Smoking can cause cancer.

could

ability in the past

When I was younger I could run fast.

polite permission

Excuse me, could I just say something?

possibility

It could rain tomorrow!

may

permission

May I use your phone please?

possibility, probability

It may rain tomorrow!

might

polite permission

Might I suggest an idea?

possibility, probability

I might go on holiday to Australia next year.

need not

lack of necessity/absence of obligation

I need not buy tomatoes. There are plenty of tomatoes in the fridge.

should/ought to

50 % obligation

I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache.

advice

You should / ought to revise your lessons

logical conclusion

He should / ought to be very tired. He's been working all day long.

had better

advice

You 'd better revise your lessons

 

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