Grammar - Modal Auxiliaries
A modal is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or obligation.
Modal verbs never change form, that is, they never take an -s, -ed, or -ing at the end.
The negatives are formed by adding not after the modal.
Negative contractions are made with some modals- can't, couldn't, mustn't, shouldn't, wouldn't, and so on.
Can
General ability (present)
I can speak English.
Ask for permission (informal)
Can I borrow your pen please?
To request something
Can you help me please?
Possibility
It can get very cold there at night.
Offer to help someone
Can I carry your bags for you?
Cannot (can’t) = not allowed
You cannot smoke in this room/
You can’t go to the party.
Could
General ability in the past
I could play the piano when I was younger.
Ask for Permission (more polite)
Could I use your bathroom please?
To request something (more polite)
Could you pass me the salt please?
Possibility in the past
could + have + past participate
You could have broken your leg.
Suggestion (when asked what to do)
We could go to the movies if you like.
Conditional of Can (would be able to)
If we had some oranges I could make you some fresh juice. (=
would be able to)
May – Might
Uses of May and Might:
Possibility
It might rain later so take an umbrella while going out.
Give permission
You may have another cookie if you like.
Ask for permission
May I borrow your pen, please?
Express wishes
May the New Year bring you happiness.
Speculate about past actions
She is late. She may have missed her plane.
May or Might?
|
May and Might can normally be interchanged without a significant
difference in meaning. However, Might often implies a smaller chance of
something happening (When expressing possibility). It may rain. (70% chance) It might rain. (40% chance) When expressing wishes or giving permission, only May is used. |
Will – Shall
Uses of Shall
Suggestions
Shall I get a pizza for dinner tonight?
Offers/volunteering
That bag looks heavy. Shall I carry it for you?
Instruction (asking for or giving)
What shall I do with your mail when it arrives
Promises
You shall be the first person to know.
Confirmation (statement of act)
I shall meet your there at 7.
Uses of Will
Rapid Decision
I’m thirsty. I think I will buy a drink.
Offer
That looks heavy. I will help you with it.
Promise
Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.
Threat
If you don’t stop, I will tell your mother.
Refusal won’t = will not
She won’t listen to anything I say.
Uses of Should
Advice or Suggestion
Your hair is too long. You should get a haircut.
The situation likely in the present
Mary should be at home now. Give her a call.
Likely in the future (Prediction)
They should win tonight, they’re a better team.
Should + Have + past participate
Meaning: The subject did not fulfill their obligation in
the past or did not act sensibly.
You should have given your boss the report yesterday when he
asked for it.
Should + be + verb -ing
Meaning: The subject is not fulfilling their obligation
not or not acting sensibly.
You should be wearing your seatbelt.
We should be studying for the test right now.
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