Modal Auxiliary

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.

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

PATTERN:

* ( ? ) MODAL + S + V1

· Can she do the test?

· Will we go to the hospital?

* ( + ) S + MODAL + V1

· She can do the test.

· We will go to the hospital

* ( – ) S + MODAL NOT + V1

· She can’t do the test.

· We will not go to the hospital.

* ( ? ) MODAL + S + V1

· Can she do the test?

· Will we go to the hospital?




FUNCTIONS

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:



MUST 

Strong obligation

Ex: You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.

logical conclusion / Certainty

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


MUST NOT

Prohibition 

Ex: You must not smoke in the hospital.


CAN

Ability

Ex: I can swim.

Permision 

Ex:Can I use your phone please?

Possibility

Ex: Smoking can cause cancer.


COULD

Ability in the past
Ex: When I was younger I could run fast.

Polite Permission

Ex: Excuse me, could I just say something?

Possibility

Ex: It could rain tomorrow!


MAY

Permission

Ex: May I use your phone please?

Possibility, Probability

Ex: It may rain tomorrow!


MIGHT

 

Polite Permision

Ex: Might I suggest an idea?

Possibility, Probability

Ex: I might go on holiday to Australia next year.



SHOULD/OUGHT TO

50 % obligation

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

Advice 

Ex: You should / ought to revise your lessons

Logical Conclusion

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


HAD BETTER

Advice
Ex: You 'd better revise your lessons


Remember

Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without "to", also called the bare infinitive.
Examples:
You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
You should see to the doctor.
There are a lot of tomatoes in the fridge. You need not buy any.



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.

References:

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-modals.php

https://vhi3y4.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/modal-auxiliary/

http://www.englishgrammar.org/modal-auxiliary-verbs-exercise-2/