a clearer understanding of modals LET’S BE KIND! a clearer understanding of modals

MODALS Modals are commonly used for asking permission. There are 23 auxiliary/helping verbs in English, and 9 of them are modals which express shades of meaning: can could may will would might shall should must Modal is an auxiliary/helping verb that gives additional information about the grammatical mood (or mode) of the main verb that follows it. It is a grammatical form or category characteristically indicating predication of an action or state in some manner other than as a simple fact.

CAN MODALS (1) expresses ability I can speak English (meaning, I am able to speak English or I know how to speak English) (2) asks permission Can I use your pen? (meaning, Do you permit me to use your pen?) (3) expresses willingness Can you pass me the soy sauce? (meaning, Please pass me the soy sauce. (4) expresses possibility There can be a very strong rivalry between siblings. (meaning, There is sometimes a very strong rivalry between siblings)

COULD MODALS (1) functions as a kind of past tense for can I could sing when I was in high school. (suggests an ability in the past) (2) replaces can, although as a conditional I can help you with your homework. (suggests that the speaker is ready and willing to help) I could help you with your homework. (gives a more tentative sense of ability to help) If I were you, I could use my singing prowess to join the contest. (suggests a condition) (3) carries the same meaning as might or may in the present---that something is a possibility He is not in school today, he could be sick.

WILL MODALS (1) conveys that the speaker’s intent will be carried out I will leave now. You will leave now. (2) expresses agreements I will go if you go. I’ll go if you’ll go. (3) indicates that something is likely the case I suppose you will be hungry, after all that running you did? or that something is commonly the case—Boys will be boys.

MODALS WOULD (1) serves as the past tense of will or suggests a habit in the past When he was a kid, he would give me roses. (2) expresses what would be the case if something were different If they wanted to do it, they would have done it by now. (3) shows either politeness or formality of speech I would like a glass of water, please.

MODALS SHALL (1) used in the same as will, but in instances where an obligation, rather than an intention is expressed I shall go now. (2) indicates mere intention in the first person, but shows an order, command or prophecy in the second and third persons You shall go to your room—therefore, it’s impossible to make shall questions like “Shall we?”, in “Shall you?”(second person) and “Shall they?” (third person)

SHOULD MODALS (1) should is to shall as would is to will It is important that the law should be passed. (2) expresses wishes, commands, emotions, possibilities, judgments, and statements that are contrary to fact at present Should it happen, we’re prepared for it. (3) describes an ideal behaviour or occurrence You should never lie.

MAY MODALS (1) indicates permission May I go out? (2) expresses possibility It may be done. (3) expresses irrelevance in spite of certain truth He may be smarter than I am, but he’s certainly not handsome.

MIGHT MODALS (1) serves as the past tense of may He might have left when we got there. He might have been hiding. (2) serves as the conditional mood of may If she were more polite, she might be better liked. (3) as a more polite or formal form of may, just as would does for will and could does for can

MODALS MUST (1) expresses that something is imperative or obligatory just as “have to” does You must leave now. (You have to leave now.) (2) expresses a strong belief that something is the case, but makes it clear that the speaker is not stating a fact but an opinion It must be here somewhere.