Thursday, May 7, 2015

Modal verbs

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Modal verbs and their meaning


What are modal verbs?

Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries) are special verbs which behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like "work, play, visit..." They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative functions.
Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:
  • They never change their form. You can't add "s", "ed", "ing"...
  • They are always followed by an infinitive without "to" (e.i. the bare infinitive.)
  • They are used to indicate modality allow speakers to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability

List of modal verbs

Here is a list of modal verbs:
can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must
The verbs or expressions dare, ought to, had better, and need not behave like modal auxiliaries to a large extent and my be added to the above list

Use of modal verbs:

Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:
  1. Permission
  2. Ability
  3. Obligation
  4. Prohibition
  5. Lack of necessity
  6. Advice
  7. possibility
  8. probability

Examples of modal verbs

Here is a list of modals with examples:
Modal Verb
Expressing
Example
must
Strong obligation
You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
logical conclusion / Certainty
He must be very tired. He's been working all day long.
must not
prohibition
You must not smoke in the hospital.
can
ability
I can swim.
permission
Can I use your phone please?
possibility
Smoking can cause cancer.
could
ability in the past
When I was younger I could run fast.
polite permission
Excuse me, could I just say something?
possibility
It could rain tomorrow!
may
permission
May I use your phone please?
possibility, probability
It may rain tomorrow!
might
polite permission
Might I suggest an idea?
possibility, probability
I might go on holiday to Australia next year.
need not
lack of necessity/absence of obligation
I need not buy tomatoes. There are plenty of tomatoes in the fridge.
should/ought to
50 % obligation
I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache.
advice
You should / ought to revise your lessons
logical conclusion
He should / ought to be very tired. He's been working all day long.
had better
advice
You 'd better revise your lessons

Remember

Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without "to", also called the bare infinitive.

Examples:

  • You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
  • You should see to the doctor.
  • There are a lot of tomatoes in the fridge. You need not buy any.

Modals in the Present and Past


Modals in the present and past

Generally speaking modals in the past have the following form:
  • modal + have + past participle

Example:

  • Present:
    You should see a doctor.
  • Past:
    You should have seen a doctor
Except for modals that express obligation,ability and lack of necessity:
  • Obligation:
    Present = I must / have to work hard. -- Past = I had to work hard.
  • Ability:
    Present = I can run fast. -- Past = I could run fast when I was young.
  • Lack of necessity:
    Present = You don't have to / needn't take your umbrella. -- Past = You didn't have to / didn't need to take your umbrella.

Modals in the Present
Modals in the Past
Obligation
You must / have to stop when the traffic lights are red.
You had to stop.
Advice
You should see a doctor.
You should have seen a doctor
Prohibition
You mustn't smoke here.
You mustn't have smoked there.
Ability
I can run fast.
I could run fast. now I am old.
Certainty
He has a Rolls Royce. He must be very rich.
He can't be American. His English is terrible.
He must have been rich. He had a big house and an expensive car.
He can't have written that poem. He was illiterate.
Permission
Can I go out?
She could drive her father's car when she was only 15.
Possibility
It may / can / could / might rain. It's cloudy.
I guess it may / can / could / might have been Lacy on the phone.
Lack of necessity
You don't have to / needn't buy any tomatoes. There are plenty in the fridge.
You didn't have to / didn't need to buy tomatoes. 

Uses of Need

Need is used both as an ordinary verb and as an auxiliary verb. As an ordinary verb need is used in the sense of require. The ordinary verb need has -s in the third person singular. Questions and negatives are made with do.
  • Do you need any help?
  • We need more volunteers.
  • We have got what we needed.
  • I need more time to decide the question.
  • He needs our help.
The auxiliary verb need remains unchanged, whatever be the number or person of the subject. It is common in negative clauses. It does not have -s in the third person singular.
  • You need not wait.
  • He need not ask my permission.
  • They need not make such a fuss over it.
The auxiliary need is sometimes used with hardly.
  • We need hardly say that we are very grateful.
  • I need hardly say that you are always welcome.
It can also be used with only.
  • You need only sign this paper and I will do the rest.
The auxiliary need is usually used in questions without ‘not’.
  • Need we wait any longer?
  • Need I come again?
If the answer is in the negative, say ‘No, you need not.’ If the answer is in the positive, say – ‘Yes, you must.’
When referring to past time, need is followed by the perfect infinitive (have + past participle).
  • We need not have waited for them.
  • We need not have wasted our time and energy on that project.
  • You need not have lost your temper.


Modality: forms
Modal verbs
Core modal verbs have only one form. They have no to-infinitive form, -ing form, past form or -ed form. We have to reword what we want to say by using other expressions:
I’d love to be able to see the Taj Mahal one day.
Not: I’d love to can see the Taj Mahal one day.
They had to sell their house.
Not: They musted sell their house.
Affirmative (+) forms
Modal verbs are placed first in the verb phrase (after the subject) and are followed by a verb in the base form. The next verb may be a main verb or an auxiliary verb (be, have):
Modal verbs do not change form for tense or person. Modal verbs can be followed by the substitute verb do:
A:
We thought he might sell the house
B:
Yes, he could do.
Modal verbs cannot be used with another modal verb:
Windsurfing can be difficult.
Not: Windsurfing can might be difficult. or Windsurfing might can be difficult.
Modal verbs always go before other verbs in a verb phrase:
[in a restaurant after a meal]
I think the bill could be expensive.
Not: I think the bill could expensive.
You can go swimming, go for a long walk or visit the exhibition.
Not: You can swimming, go for a long walk or visit the exhibition.
Modal verbs can only be used alone when the main verb is clearly understood:
A:
She could take the bus.
B:
Yeah, that’s true. She could. (She could take the bus.)
A:
He may be wrong, you know.
B:
Yes, he may. (Yes, he may be wrong.)
Negative (−) forms
Warning:
Negatives are formed by adding ‘not’ after the modal verbs. We don’t use don’t/doesn’t/didn’t with modal verbs:
We can’t hear very well at the back.
Not: We don’t can hear very well
Question (?) forms
Warning:
The subject and the modal verb change position to form questions. We don’t use do/does/did:
Could you help me?
Not: Do you could help me?
Will it be a problem?
Not: Does it will be a problem?
Why can’t you come too?
Not: Why don’t you can come too?
We use modal verbs in question tags:
You can’t live like that, can you?
It could be any of those things, couldn’t it?
See also:
Contracted forms
In speaking shall and will are often contracted to ’ll and would is contracted to ’d, especially when they follow a pronoun:
I’ll see you later.
We’ll never get there.
I knew they’d love it.
The negative forms of modal verbs are often contracted.
modal verb
uncontracted negative
contracted negative
can
cannot (usually written as one word not two)
can’t /kɑnt/
could
could not
couldn’t /ˈkʊdənt/
may
may not

might
might not
mightn’t /ˈmaɪtənt/
will
will not
*won’t /wəʊnt/ or ’ll not
shall
shall not
*shan’t /ʃɑnt/ or ’ll not
would
would not
*wouldn’t /ˈwʊdənt/ or ’d not
should
should not
shouldn’t /ˈʃʊdənt/
must
must not
mustn’t /ˈmʌsənt/
* is the more common of the two forms.
Modal verbs and adverbs
We usually put adverbs in mid position between the modal verb and the main verb:
Loud noises may sometimes frighten dogs and other animals.
You’ll probably notice something different about the house.
When the main verb is understood, we can put the adverb between the subject and the modal verb:
A:
I can never remember Flo’s number.
B:
I never can either. (I can never remember Flo’s number either.)
Dare, need, ought to and used to (semi-modal verbs)
Dare, need, ought to and used to are often called semi-modal because in some ways they are formed like modal verbs and in some ways they are like other main verbs.
Like modal verbs, ought to and used to do not change form for person. Needn’t and daren’t do not have a third person -s in the present:
It used to be so easy. It ought to be easy now.
She needn’t worry.
John daren’t tell Ruth about the accident.
Like main verbs, the negative form of need, dare and used to is made by using do. But it can also be made without using do (like modal verbs).
Compare
You don’t need to dress smartly.
You needn’t dress smartly.
We don’t dare (to) tell him.
We daren’t tell him.
The negative form of ought to is not made with do:
We oughtn’t to spend so much money.
Not: We don’t ought to spend so much money.
Like main verbs, the question form for need, dare and used to is made by using do:
Does she need to get a camera before she goes away?
Did you use to play football when you were a child?
Question and negative forms of ought to are rare.
See also:
(“Modality: forms” from English Grammar Today © Cambridge University Press. Need grammar practice? Try English Grammar Today with Workbook.)

Modal verbs

The modal verbs include can, must, may, might, will, would, should. They are used with other verbs to express ability, obligation, possibility, and so on. Below is a list showing the most useful modals and their most common meanings:
Modal
Meaning
Example
can
to express ability
I can speak a little Russian.
can
to request permission
Can I open the window?
may
to express possibility
I may be home late.
may
to request permission
May I sit down, please?
must
to express obligation
I must go now.
must
to express strong belief
She must be over 90 years old.
should
to give advice
You should stop smoking.
would
to request or offer
Would you like a cup of tea?
would
in if-sentences
If I were you, I would say sorry.
Modal verbs are unlike other verbs. They do not change their form (spelling) and they have no infinitive or participle (past/present). The modals must and can need substitute verbs to express obligation or ability in the different tenses. Here are some examples:
Past simple
Sorry I'm late. I had to finish my math test.
Present perfect
She's had to return to Korea at short notice.
Future
You'll have to work hard if you want to pass the exams.
Infinitive
I don't want to have to go.
Past simple
I couldn't/wasn't able to walk until I was 3 years old.
Present perfect
I haven't been able to solve this problem. Can you help?
Future
I'm not sure if I will be able to come to your party.
Infinitive
I would love to be able to play the piano.
Modals are auxiliary verbs. They do not need an additional auxiliary in negatives or questions. For example: Must I come? (Do I must come?), or: He shouldn't smoke (He doesn't should smoke).
Important: The explanations and examples on this page are just an introduction to this extensive and complex area of English grammar. Students of English who want to learn more should consult a good reference work, such as Swan's Practical English Usage.

Modal verbs

This lesson has two parts. Part 1 explains the grammar of modal verbs and where they are placed in a sentence or question. Part 2 explains the meaning of each modal verb and provides example sentences.
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Modal verbs are also called modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries, or simply modals. These verbs are a subcategory of auxiliary verbs , which means they cannot be used without a main verb. English has ten modal verbs.
can

could
may
might
shall
should
will
would
must
ought
While the meaning and usage of modal verbs is complicated, the grammar is simple. Modal verbs are not conjugated: they have no tense and no person, so they never change.
All modal verbs must be followed by a main verb in the base form except for ought which is followed by an infinitive.
subject
modal
verb
main verb
(base form)

They
can
come

Mike
should
walk.

You
must
go

We
will
wait.

She
ought
study.
incorrect
Attention: many English learners make the mistake of placing an infinitive after every modal verb. This is incorrect.
subject
modal
verb
main verb
(infinitive)

They
can
to come.
incorrect
Mike
should
to walk.
incorrect
You
must
to go.
incorrect
We
will
to wait.
incorrect
She
ought
to study.

In statements, the word order is subject + modal + main verb.
subject
modal
verb
main
verb

Tom and Sue
might
arrive
later.
Everyone
can
swim.

In questions, the word order changes to modal + subject + main verb. Here are some examples with Yes / No questions.
modal
verb
subject
main
verb
Can
they
come?
Should
Mike
drive?
Here are some examples with Wh– questions.
Wh– word
modal
verb
subject
main
verb
When
can
they
eat?
How
could
he
walk?
When forming negative statements, the negative adverb not is placed between the modal verb and the main verb.
subject
modal
verb

main
verb

You
must
not
disturb
the baby.
They
should
not
drive
at night.
When asking questions in the negative, the modal verb and a negative adverb not are always contractions.
modal + not
(contracted)
subject
main
verb

Couldn’t
Tom
come
to the party?
Shouldn’t
you
rest?

To learn more details about modal verbs and how they express moods such as ability, possibility, necessity or other conditions, go to page 2.
English grammar lesson on-line for advanced level students or teachers - Complete overview of modal auxiliary verbs.
Introduction - Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Modal Auxiliary Verbs are a very rich area of the English language. They are used with great frequency and with a wide range of meanings.
can
could
may
might
will
would
shall
should /ought to
must
need
All of them (except for NEED) can express degress of certainty, probability or possibility of an event. But they can also express ideas such as willingness and ability, permission and refusal, obiligation and prohibition, suggestion, necessity, promise and intention.
Modal Verbs expressing certainty, probability or possibility
In order of certainty:
WILL and WON'T are used to predict a future event or action which are seen as certain. The truth or certainty of what is asserted is more or less taken for granted.
  • I will see you later.
  • His latest book will be out next month.
WILL and WON'T are also used to express what we believe or guess to be true about the present. They indicate an assumption based on our knowledge of people and things, their routine, character and qualities.
  • Don't take the meat out of the oven. It won't be ready yet.
MUST is used to assert what we infer or conclude to be the most logical or rational interpretation of a situation or event. As we do not have all the facts, it is less certain than will. The negative form is CAN'T.
  • He walked across the Sahara desert! You must be joking!.
  • She can't have a ten-year old daughter! She's only twenty-five herself!
SHOULD expresses what may reasonably be expected to happen. Expectation means believing that things are or will be as we want them to be.This use of SHOULD carries the meaning of "if everything goes according to the plan, then something should happen"; therefore it doesn't suggest negative or unpleasant ideas.
  • You have worked hard. You should pass the exam.
  • If the flight was on time, he should have arrived in Jakarta early this morning.
MAY expresses the possibility that something will happen or is already happening.
  • We may go to Spain this year. We haven't decided yet.
  • A - "Where's Sandra?" B - "I don't know. She may be having a bath".
MIGHT, like may, expresses possibility, but is more tentative and slightly less certain.
  • I might not be back in time for supper, so don't wait for me.
  • It might rain. Take your umbrella.
CAN is used to say that something is possible and actually happens.
  • It can be expensive to keep a dog (it can be and sometimes is).
We also use CAN to indicate that there is a very real possibility of a future event happening.
  • We can stay with Jessica in London (we will be able to stay)
COULD expresses the theoretical possibility of something happening. It is used in a similar way to might.
  • It could be expensive to keep a dog (if we had one, it could or it may not be expensive)
It also suggests that something is less likely or that there is some doubt about it.
  • We could stay with Jessica in London (it's possible, if she's there)
Could not is not used to express a future possibility. The negative of could is MIGHT NOT.
  • It might not be right.
Couldn't has a similar meaning to can't, but only slightly weaker. Compare it to the previous example.
  • She couldn't have a ten-year old daughter! She's only twenty-five herself!
OUGHT TO, as well as SHOULD, + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE are used to talk about an expectation that something happened, has happened, or will happen.
  • If the flight was on time, he should/ought to have arrived in Paris early this morning.
  • The builders should/ought to have finished by the end of the week.

Other uses of modal auxiliary verbs
Obligation and Advice: MUST / HAVE TO / SHOULD / OUGHT TO / HAD BETTER
MUST and MUST NOT are used in formal rules and regulations and in warnings. They express strong obligation, the opinion of the speaker and are associated with a more formal, written style. We can also use it to remind ourselves to do something.
  • Bookings must be made at least seven days before departure (formal rule)
  • You mustn't steal. It's very naughty (strong negative obligation, opinion of the speaker)
  • I must phone Steve when I get home. I said I'd call him last night, but I forgot (to remind ourselves to do something)
HAVE TO expresses a general obligation based on a law or rule, or based on the authority of another person.
  • Children have to go to school until they're sixteen (It's the law)
DON'T HAVE TO expresses the absence of obligation.
  • You don't have to go to England if you want to learn English.
Sometimes we can use either HAVE TO or HAVE GOT TO. But we use HAVE TO with frequency adverbs such as always, never, normally, rarely, sometimes, etc.
  • I often have to work at the weekend to get everything done.
With the past simple HAD TO is used especially in questions and negative sentences.
  • When did you have to give it back?
  • We didn't have to wait too long for an answer
If HAVE is contracted, then we must include GOT. It is often preferred in informal speech.
  • The experiment has failed twice before, so it's got to work this time.
  • Don't have a late night. We've got to get up early tomorrow.
Sometimes it is possible to find MUST and HAVE TO together. In this case MUST signifies a logical interpretation and HAVE TO an obligation. For a present situation:
  • Now John's mother is nearly 90 she must have to be looked after.
For a past situation:
  • I don't know where Sarah is. I presume she must have had to go out to meet someone.
We can often use either SHOULD or OUGHT TO to talk about obligations and recommendations, although SHOULD is much more common. They describe a sort of obligation where you have a choice.
  • I think you should wear your glasses whenever you feel like watching TV.
  • I haven't heard from Evelyn for ages. Do you think I should give her a ring?
  • I don't think parents should/ought to give their children sweets
We can use HAD BETTER instead of SHOULD/OUGHT TO, especially in spoken English, to say that we think it is a good idea to do something. We prefer it if we want to express particular urgency and in demands and threats.
  • If you are not well, you'd better ask Ann to go instead (good idea to do something)
  • There's someone moving about downstairs. We'd better call the police, quickly. (urgency)
The negative form is HAD BETTER NOT. In question forms the subject comes after HAD.
  • He'd better not be late again or he'll be in trouble.
  • Hadn't we better get a taxi?
Permission: MAY / MIGHT / CAN / COULD
They are used asking for permission, or saying whether we or other people have it. To talk about permission generally, or permission in the past, we use CAN or COULD. MAY is used to ask for and give permission but it sounds very formal.
  • Can/Could I borrow your car tonight?
  • May I help you?
Ability: CAN / COULD
CAN expresses ability or is used to say what someone knows how to do, or what is possible. The past is expressed by COULD.
  • I can speak three languages.
  • Thanks to his new glasses, he could make out what was written on the notice.
In these sentences we can also use ABLE TO without any important change of meaning. To express a fulfilled ability on one particular occasion in the past, COULD is not used. Instead, we use WAS ABLE TO or MANAGED TO.
  • She was able to survive by clinging onto the wrecked boat.
  • The prisoner managed to escape by climbing onto the roof.
There is a useful difference of meaning between COULD and WAS/WERE ABLE TO: the latter form says not only that you could do something (it was possible for you), but also that you did it.
  • a) The door was open and he could go into the room.
  • b) The door was open and he was able to go into the room.
In sentence a) (COULD) we only know for sure that it was possible; Sentence b) (WAS ABLE) tells us also that he managed to get in, he succeeded in getting in.
 
 

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Exercises for Modal Verbs

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