GRAMMAR : MODALS

MODALS

Modals (also called modal auxiliary verbs) 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" (i.e. 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 may be added to the above list

Use of modal verbs:

Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:

1. Permission

2. Ability

3. Obligation

4. Prohibition

5. Lack of necessity

6. Advice

7. possibility

8. probability

 Examples of modal verbs

Here is a list of modals with examples:

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.
	possibility	Smoking can cause cancer.
could	ability in the past	When I was younger I could run fast.
	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.

 

EXERCISES FOR PRACTICE

Q1. Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct options:-

 

a. Rupa is working hard she __________ (will/ would) get good grades.

b. I __________ (will /might) visit my friend tomorrow.

c. Raj is very talented ,he ___________ (can /could )speak in five languages.

d. We have enough vegetables, you _________ (needn't /mustn't) go to the market.

e. You ___________  (can /could) have the view of the garden from my bedroom.

 

Q2. Fill in the blanks with the modals which appropriately matches with the mode and manner of the action denoted in the bracket.

 

a. You________ not have spoken like this. (advice)

b. We ___________ definitely finish the project by tomorrow.  (Determination)

c. We _____________ love our neighbours. (moral duty)

d. It ____________ rain tonight. (less possibility)

e. Rajesh __________ eat eight eggs at a time.(ability)