Download Modal verbs in Grammar and more Study notes English in PDF only on Docsity! English Grammar: Modal Verbs Modal verbs are auxiliary (helping) verbs that are used to change the meaning of the main verbs by expressing probability, ability, advice, obligation, permission, requests, willingness and refusal. E.g. Can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must, need to, ought to, have to, and dare not. Rules: 1. They don’t change as per tense, i.e. they do not have past participles –ed form, or present participles –ing form or infinitive ‘to’ form. 2. They have no –s in the third person of subject verb agreement. E.g. He can swim. She must go. 3. There is no do, does or did in the question form. E.g. May I ask a question? Shall we go? 4. They are followed by an infinitive tense of the main verb. Let’s look at examples: Can is used for making a request, express ability, seek permission Request e.g.: Can you give me a pen? Can you help me with this question? Can you come with me? Ability e.g.: I can speak a little Russian. I can swim across the river. He can work this sum. Permission e.g.: Can I borrow your umbrella? Can I come with you? Can I open the window? Could is used for past of can. It is also used for Ability or Permission a more formal way than can. E.g.: I could swim across the river when I was young. He said I could dance. I could attend the party if mom allows. Will is used to express a determination/ promise / habit. E.g.: I will carry your books I will try to do better next time. He will talk about films Would is used for offer. E.g.: Would like to have a cup of coffee? Would you join me tomorrow for a movie? Shall is used to form future tenses, to make requests or offers and to show willingness. Generally shall is used only when ‘I’ or ‘we’ is the subject with an exception of issuing commands, it can be used with ‘you’. E.g.: We shall go for the movie tomorrow. Shall I do the homework now? You shall not leave this room today. Should is used to give an advice. E.g.: You should stop smoking. You should take this medicine daily. May is used to permission or possibility E.g.: May I sit here? May I come in? The train may be late. I may join you for the party. Might Might is used for dissatisfaction/ denial/ uncertainty. E.g.: This might be the most difficult decision she would ever make. She might have gone to the principal. I might come for exercise. Have to - is used for order/ compulsion. E.g.: You have to complete the work by tomorrow. You have to be on time You have to complete your homework.
