Ø Definition
In generally, modal
auxiliary is a verb that
combines with another verb to indicate mood or tense. A modal (also known
as a modal auxiliary) expresses necessity, uncertainty, ability, or
permission. Most linguists agree
that there central modals in English: can, could, may, might, must,
ought, shall, should, will, and would. Other
verbs--including need, had better and invariant be--may
also function as modals (or semi-modals).
In English grammar, an auxiliary is a verb (such as have, do, or will) that
determines the mood, tense, or aspect of another verb in a verb phrase.
Auxiliary verbs always precede main verbs within a verb phrase. Auxiliaries are
also known as helping verbs. Contrast with lexical verbs.
Ø Basic Gramatical Rules and Function
v Can/Could
(Talking about ability, Making requests, Asking permission,
Reported speech,
General possibility, Future probability,
Present possibility and past possibility).
v May/Might
(Talking about things that can happen
in certain situations, Saying that something was possible, but did not actually
happen).
v Must
(Necessity and obligation, Strong
advice and invitations, Saying you think something is certain).
v Ought to
(Ought to usually has the same meaning
as should, particularly in affirmative statements in the present).
v Shall
(Making offers and
making suggestion).
v Should
(Giving advice,
Obligation: weak form of must, Deduction, Things which didn't or may/may not
have happened).
v Will
Talking about the
present with certainty, making deductions, Talking about the past with
certainty, Reassuring someone, Making a semi-formal request, Reassuring
someone).
v Would
(As the past of
will, for example in indirect speech, Polite requests and offers, Talking about
past habits).
Ø Example
1. Can/Could
v Making request
Can you give me a ring at about 10?
v Talking about
ability
She could play the piano when she was five. (past)
v Asking permission
Could I ask you a personal question?
v Reported speech
He asked me if I could pick him up after work.
v General possibility
Women couldn't vote until just after the First World War.
2. May/Might
v Talking about
things that can happen in certain situations
If the monitors are used in poorly lit places, some users may
experience headaches.
v Saying that
something was possible, but did not actually happen
You saw me standing at the bus stop! You might have stopped and
given me a lift!
3. Must
v Necessity and
obligation
People must try to be more tolerant of each other.
v Strong advice and
invitations
I think you really must make more of an effort.
v Saying you think
something is certain
What a suntan! You must have had great weather.
4. Ought to
v Ought to usually has the same meaning as should, particularly in
affirmative statements in the present
You should/ought to get your hair cut.
5. Shall
v Making offers
Shall I fetch you another glass of wine?
v Making suggestions
Shall we go to the cinema
tonight?
6. Should
v
Giving advice
You shouldn't be drinking if you're on antibiotics.
v
Obligation: weak form of must
The university should provide more sports facilities.
v
Deduction
The letter should get to you tomorrow - I posted it first class.
v
Things which didn't or may/may not have happened
You shouldn't have spent so much time on that first question
7. Will
v
Making personal predictions
I doubt if I'll stay here much longer.
v Talking about the
present with certainty
I'm sure you will understand that there is nothing the Department
can do.
v
Talking about the past with certainty
I'm sure you will have noticed that attendance has fallen sharply.
v Making a decision
I'm very tired. I think I'll stay at home tonight.
v Making a
semi-formal request
Will you open the window, please? It's very hot in here.
v Reassuring someone
It'll be all right! You won't have to speak by yourself.
8. Would
v
As the past of will, for example in indirect speech
He said the next meeting would be in a month's time.
v
Polite requests and offers
Would you like another cup of tea?
v
Talking about past habits
When I was small, we would always visit relatives on Christmas
Day.
v
Future in the past
The assassination would become one of the key events of the
century.
Ø Exercise
Complete the following sentences using appropriate modal
auxiliary verbs. Each question is followed by three suggested answers. Choose
the most appropriate one.
1. I ……………………… be
happy to meet Robinson.
a) will
b) shall
c) Either could be used here
2. ………………… he play
for our team?
a) Will
b) Shall
c) Either could be used here
3. …………………… I get
a prize if I stand first in the examination?
a) Will
b) Would
c) Should
4. I …………………. be
able to beat him. (Express possibility)
a) would
b) should
c) could
5. Watch and pray
lest you …………………. fall into temptation.
a) should
b) would
c) could
6. The old man
………………… recline in a corner and sleep most of the time. (Express a habitual
action in the past)
a) should
b) would
c) could
7. I …………………
rather read a novel than watch that stupid movie.
a) would
b) should
c) might
8. …………………… you
mind lending me your pen for a minute?
a) Should
b) Would
c) Could
9. Till last year,
I ………………. read without glasses.
a) would
b) should
c) could
10. If I ………………..
fly like a bird, I …………………. be with you now.
a) would, would
c) could, would
c) could, will
c) can, would
Answers
1. I will
/ shall be happy to meet
Robinson.
2. Will he play for our team?
3. Will I get a prize if I stand first in the
examination?
4. I should be able to beat him.
5. Watch and pray lest you should fall into temptation.
6. The old man would recline in a corner and sleep most of
the time.
7. I would rather read a novel than watch that
stupid movie.
8. Would you mind lending me your pen for a
minute?
9. Till last year, I could read without glasses.
10. If I could fly like a bird, I would be with you now.
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