Last Updated on September 14, 2020 by Skillslelo
Modal verbs present all kinds of moods in sentences. A modal verb comes before a verb and modifies its meaning and expresses modality i.e. asserting or denying possibility, likelihood, ability, permission, obligation, or future intention.
There are nine “true” modal auxiliary verbs: will, shall, would, should, can, could, may, might, and must.
The verbs dare, need, used to, and ought to can also be used in the same way as modal verbs.
But they do not share all the same characteristics; for this reason, they are called as semi-modal verbs.
Use of ‘can’
The modal verb ‘can’ shows Present Condition. Any subject can be used with ‘can’. Verb 1st form is always needed with ‘can’.
Can expresses Power/ Ability/ Capacity.
Subject + Can + Verb 1st Form
Examples:
The manager can increase his salary. [Power]
I can solve the problem. [Abilty]
He can lift 100 kgs weight. [Capacity]
If ‘can’ is used with ‘not’, it shows impossibility.
Examples:
I cannot do this. [Impossibility]
He cannot walk. [Impossibility]
Use of ‘could’
The modal verb ‘could’ shows Past Condition. Could is past of ‘can. Any subject can be used with ‘could’. ‘Could’ takes first form of verb only.
‘Could’ expresses Polite request/ Ability/ Power.
Subject + Could + Verb 1st Form
Examples:
Could you return my book, please? [Request]
Could you help me? [Request]
My brother could beat him. [Power]
You could drive a car. [Ability]
Use of ‘may’
The modal verb ‘may’ shows Present Condition. ‘May’ can be used with any subject. ‘May’ always takes first form of verb.
‘May’ expresses: Permission/ Possibilty/ Purpose/ Wish.
Subject + May + Verb 1st Form
Examples:
May I come in sir?. [Permission]
It may rain. [Possibility]
May you achieve success!. [Wish]
He takes coaching so that he may the exam. [Purpose]
Use of ‘might’
The modal verb ‘might’ is past of ‘may’ but it also shows Present Condition. ‘Might’ can be used with any subject. ‘Might’ always takes first form of verb.
‘Might’ expresses Remote Possibility/ Possibility in Past.
Subject + Might + Verb 1st Form
Examples:
Your sister is studying. He might pass the exam. [Remote Possibility]
He said that she might get success. [Possibility in Past]
Use of ‘must’
The modal verb ‘must’ shows Present Condition. ‘Must’ can be used with any subject. ‘Must’ always takes first form of verb.
‘Must’ expresses: Necessity/ Obligation/ Prohibition/ Certainty of belief.
Subject + Must + Verb 1st Form
Examples:
You must go to the doctor as you are ill. [Necessity]
He must look after his parents. [Obligation]
You must not go out during office hours. [Prohibition]
He must be a leader. [Certainty of belief]
Use of ‘need’
‘Need’ can be used with any subject.
‘Need’ expresses: Necessity/ Obligation/ Compulsion.
Subject + Need + …….
Examples:
You need my guidance. [Necessity]
The parents need support. [Obligation]
You need a ticket to travel. [Prohibition]
‘Need’ can be used negative form:
You need not go there.
He need not come here.
Use of ‘will’
‘Will’ shows Future. ‘Will’ can be used with any subject except I & We.
Subject + Will + Verb 1st Form
Examples:
You will try to help you. [Simple Future]
They will come here to meet you. [Simple Future]
If ‘will’ is used with I or We, in that case, it shows Promise/ Threat/ Willingness/ Determination.
I/We + Will + Verb 1st Form
Examples:
I will kill you. [Threat]
I will break the records.. [Challenge]
We will pass the exam. [Determination]
Use of ‘would’
The modal verb ‘would’ can be used with any subject. The verb’s first form is used after ‘would’.
Subject + Would + Verb 1st Form
We use ‘would’ in the past tense.
Examples:
I desired that I would become a doctor. [Past Tense]
They promised that she would get a chance. [Past Tense]
‘Would’ expresses: Happening in the past/ Polite Request/ Frequent Activities in Past.
Examples:
I will kill you. [Threat]
I will break the records.. [Challenge]
We will pass the exam. [Determination]h
Use of ‘shall’
The modal verb ‘shall’ is used with I/ We. It indicates Future tense. The verb’s first form is used after ‘shall’.
Subject +shall + Verb 1st Form
Examples:
I shall help you. [Future Tense]
We shall win the match. [Future Tense]
If ‘shall’ is used with any subject except I/ We, It expresses: Promise/ Threat/ Willingness/ Determination.
Examples:
He shall not follow the rules. [Threat]
You shall be killed. [Threat]
They shall have to keep the words. [Promise]
Use of ‘should’
The modal verb ‘should’ can be used with any subject. The verb’s first form is used after ‘should’.
Subject +shall + Verb 1st Form
‘Should’ expresses Advice/ Suggestion.
Examples:
You should reach school on time. [Suggestion]
You should look after your parents. [Advice]
‘Should’ expresses Inference.
Examples:
He should have achieved success.
I should have become a doctor.
‘Should’ expresses Duty/ Obligation.
You should be disciplined
Modal verbs & Functions
| Modal Verbs | Functions |
|---|---|
| May | Permission |
| Can, Could | Ability |
| Might | Lesser Possibility |
| Might have | Unfulfilled desire |
| Must | Compulsion/Necessity |
| Should/Ought to | Suggestion/ Advice |
| Would | Polite request |
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