Modal verbs, also known as modal auxiliary verbs, are a specific type of auxiliary verb that express the speaker's attitude towards the action or state of being described in the main verb.
Unlike regular auxiliary verbs such as "do," "have," and "be," modal verbs convey modalities such as possibility, ability, permission, necessity, and obligation.
Examples of modal verbs include "can," "could," "may," "might," "shall," "should," "will," "would," "must," and "ought to."
Features of Modal Verbs
1. Lack of Inflection: Modal verbs do not change form based on the subject of the sentence. They remain the same regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural.
2. Limited Forms: Modal verbs do not have past or future forms. Instead, they use the base form of the main verb to convey these tenses.
3. Negative Forms: To create negative sentences with modal verbs, the word "not" is added after the modal verb.
4. Question Forms: Modal verbs are often used to form questions, with the modal verb appearing before the subject in inverted word order.
Common Modal Verbs and Their Meanings
1. Can/Could: Expresses ability, possibility, permission, or request for permission. E.g., "I can swim," "Could you pass me the salt?"
2. May/Might: Indicates permission, possibility, or uncertainty. E.g., "May I leave early?" "It might rain later."
3. Shall/Should: Conveys obligation, suggestion, or future intention. E.g., "You should apologize," "Shall we go for a walk?"
4. Will/Would: Signifies future intention, willingness, or hypothetical situations. E.g., "I will help you with your homework," "If I were you, I would study harder."
5. Must: Denotes necessity, strong obligation, or deduction. E.g., "You must wear a seatbelt," "He must be at home."
Using Modal Verbs in Context
1. Ability: "She can speak five languages fluently."
2. Permission: "You may borrow my car for the weekend."
3. Obligation: "We must submit our reports by tomorrow."
4. Necessity: "You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day."
5. Possibility: "It might snow tomorrow."