 Modal verbs express a variety of moods or attitudes of the speaker towards the meaning expressed by the main verb in a clause

 All the auxiliary verbs except be, do and have are called modals. Unlike other auxiliary verbs modals only exist in their helping form; they cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence.

 Be, do, and have differ from the other auxiliaries in that they can also serve as ordinary verbs in a given sentence.

 Can/could  May/might  Will/would  Must  Shall/should  Ought to

 Need  Dare  Used to

 Although modal auxiliaries are classified as verbs, they alone never function as complete verbs, except in response to a question:  Can you come later? Yes, I can.

 Modal verbs are always used with other verbs whose meaning they modify in some way  One modal cannot be followed immediately by another in English

 Modals are not inflected, i.e. they do not have –s or –ed forms  There are no participles or infinitives for the modals  Therefore they are often called defective verbs or anomalous verbs, i.e. not regular but deviating from the rule

 Indicates freedom to act which may be the result of ability, permission or the opportunities that circumstances provide  Ability: I can speak French.  Permission: You can go now.  Possibility: He could be anywhere.  General characteristic: He can be difficult at times.

 Permission: You may enter now.  Possibility or probability: That gun may be loaded.  Uncertainty: How old may she be?  Wishes and hopes: May you both be happy!

 Obligation: You must complete this by noon.  Necessity: It must be done.  Deduction (logical necessity): This must be a mistake.  Advisability: You must see that movie.  Certainty: If you gamble, you must lose eventually.  Must not – prohibition

 Obligation or duty: I ought to/ should do this.  Logical necessity: He ought to be here by now.  Advisability: Tea should be drunk while it is hot.  Putative should: It is unthinkable that he should resign.  How should I know that?

 Decision or determination (on the part of the speaker): You shall have it.  Intention: We shall let you know our decision.  Legal shall: Everyone shall be equal before the law.

 Determination: I will have my own way.  Persistant habit: I will leave that door open.  Characteristic habit: He will go all day without eating.  Promise: You will get your money back.  An order: You will wait here till I return.  Willingness: He will help you with that.  Predictability: That will be the postman.

 Determination in the past: I would not be bullied.  Persistant habit in the past  Characteristic habit in the past  Promise in the past

 Might  May  Could  Can  Should  Ought to  Would  Will  Must  Uncertain  Certain

 1. Why is that man looking around like that? He _____________ be lost.  2. That woman _____________ be a doctor! She looks far too young.  3. John always fails the tests, even though he’s clever. He _____________ study  enough.  4. The food is really good at that restaurant. They _____________ have a great  chef.  5. Who’s that at the door? It _____________ be Susie – she’ll still be at work  now.  6. This _____________ be John’s house. This house has a red door, and it’s  number 24, just like he said.

 1. Why is that man looking around like that? He must be lost.  2. That woman can’t be a doctor! She looks far too young.  3. John always fails the tests, even though he’s clever. He can’t study enough.  4. The food is really good at that restaurant. They must have a great chef.  5. Who’s that at the door? It can’t be Susie – she’ll still be at work now.  6. This must be John’s house. This house has a red door, and it’s number 24, just  like he said.

 John is capable of typing very fast.  I know how to answer this question now.  I was never able to understand a word she said.  It is possible that what you say is true.  I had a habit of hitting the wrong key on the keyboard.  I advise you to read this book.  It is obligatory for us to write a report.  Is it advisable for us to wait?  It is not compulsory for us to attend.  You are prohibited from smoking here.

 John can type very fast.  I can answer this question now.  I could never understand a word she said.  What you say may be true.  I used to hit/would keep hitting the wrong key on the keyboard.  You should read this book.  We have to write a report.  Should we wait?  We don’t have to attend.  You must not smoke here.