Modal verbs in English
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This chapter will discuss the English modal verbs. The modal verbs are used to give a certain attitude towards another verb. The modal verbs are not conjugated.
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Modal verbs have different functions:
The modal verbs are always placed in the beginning of the sentence.
Use | Example |
---|---|
Ability | I can speak French. |
Permission | Can I go to the beach today? |
Possibility | It can be very cold at night in the Sahara. |
Use | Example |
---|---|
Ability | I could speak French. |
Permission | I could go to the beach today, if the weather was nice. |
Possibility | It could be very cold at night in the Sahara. |
Use | Example |
---|---|
Permission | May I go to the cinema tonight? |
Possibility | It may rain tomorrow. |
Use | Example |
---|---|
Permission | Might I give a suggestion? |
Possibility | It might rain tomorrow. |
Probability | I might go on holiday to Spain next month. |
Use | Example |
---|---|
Prediction | I think it will snow on Friday. |
Promise | I will go jogging tomorrow. |
Habits | She will spend hours on the phone calling her mother. |
Use | Example |
---|---|
Wish | I wish you would have come to the party. |
Habits in the past | She would spend hours on the phone calling her mother. |
Use | Example |
---|---|
Suggestion | Shall I help you? |
Use | Example |
---|---|
Advice | You should drive safely. |
Obligation | You should do your homework. |
Use | Example |
---|---|
Obligation | You must go to the library today to study. |
Prohibition | You must not drink and drive. |
The table below will show some general rules to keep in mind when using modal verbs.
Keep in mind | Explanation |
---|---|
The modal verbs do not have '-s' for 3rd person singular. |
|
Modal verbs are not used for things that will definitely happen. |
|
Questions are not formed with do/does/did. |
|
Modal verbs are followed by infinitives (without to). |
|
Modal verbs have no past form (except could and would) |
|
The past participle is used when talking about things that did not happen in the past. |
|
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