Modal Auxiliary Verbs (Full Information) * English with Raymond

Modal Auxiliaries (or Modals)

Modals show how certain or committed we feel about something. And also they add certain kinds of meaning connected with obligation and freedom to act.

Modals can be divided into groups with stronger or weaker effect. For example, if we don’t know whether something is true or not true we can use modals to show how certain or uncertain we are:

Modals connected to commitment or certainty

Modal verbs can express degrees of certainty about facts, situations or events

My phone is ringing. I’m not sure who it might be?

it will / it must be John (I feel certain)

It should be John (it’s likely)

It may / it might / it could be John (it’s uncertain)

it won’t / it can’t / it couldn’t be John (it’s impossible)

Complete certainty: I shall be away tomorrow. It won’t rain this evening. That can’t be John – he’s sleeping. I can hear the phone. It wont be John. You must be tired

Probability / deduction: Where you say that something is logical or normal. She should, ought to be here soon. It shouldn’t, be difficult to get there.

Possibility. Talking about the chances that something is true or will happen: We may be buying a new house. Today, it may not be warm enough to go swimming.

Weak possibility: I might see you again – who knows? We could all be millionaires one day.

Modals connected to obligation and freedom to act/ permission / ability

These types of modal verbs are very important because they relate to the use of polite expression for requests, suggestions, invitations and instructions.

Prohibition must not, may not, cannot:

Students must not use the staff car park. Books may not be taken out of the library. You can’t come in here.

Weak obligation / recommendation should, ought to, might, shall (shall can be used for questions):

You should try to work harder. You might see what John thinks. She really ought to wash her hair. What shall we do? What should I say?

Willingness, volunteering, resolving, insisting and offering will, shall (will and shall can be used for questions):

If you will come this way… I’ll pay for the drinks. She will keep interrupting people. I’ll definitely work harder next term. Shall I give you a hand? Shall, we take the long route or the short route? Will you buy the flowers?

Permission can, could, will, would, may, might:

You can use the car if you like. Could I talk to you for a minute? May we use the phone? Do you think I might take a break now? May I see your ticket please? Could I use your phone? Can I have a try? Can I get you a sandwich or anything? Can you explain again? Will you please tidy your bedroom? While they are preparing the food, would you check on the air conditioning? Could I see your phone? can I have a try?

Absence of obligation needn’t:

You needn’t work this Saturday

Ability can, could:

She can speak six languages. Those flowers can grow anywhere. You could get to my shop by bus but not by train. When I was younger I could easily walk ten miles. Anybody who wants to can help with the work

The verb to Be

Be – auxiliary verbs: is, am, are, was, were

Be is an auxiliary verb when it is followed by a participle:

be + ing = (progressive)

subject + be + verb-ing

Mr Smith is waiting / my sister’s studying physics / they will be having lunch tomorrow

NOTE: this is the progressive pattern of the verb phrase and indicates temporary action or action in progress

Modal Auxiliary Negative contractions – what are they?

Couldn’t I learn it really quickly? Yes, you **could** if you work hard!

Modal auxiliaries (except may) have a negative contraction and are used in an informal style. For example: can’t (can not) / won’t (will not) / couldn’t (could not) / shouldn’t (should not) / wouldn’t (would not) / mustn’t (must not) / shan’t (shall not)

Modal auxiliaries are used in shortened sentences. Examples:

Will you speak to him? Yes, I will / no, I won’t

Can you carry it? Yes, I can / no, I can’t

Would it be possible? Yes, it would / no it wouldn’t

It might be John? No, it couldn’t be

NOTE: modal auxiliaries go before the subject in Yes – No questions:

MODAL	SUBJECT	VERB / OBJECT
Could	she	see the play
Can	I	go
Would	you	like it
Will	you	go

Modals have no added forms

Modal auxiliaries have no s form, for the 3rd person singular. For example: he will (not he wills). He should (not: he shoulds). He could (not: he coulds).

Also, modal auxiliaries do not change their form in other ways. They have no ing form or past participle form. For example: they must (but not: they musting or musted). They could do it (but not: they coulding or coulded.