What Are Modal Auxiliary Verbs?

Modal auxiliary verbs are used to show a necessity, capability, willingness, or possibility. Unlike
most verbs, there is only one form of these verbs. Typically, verb forms change to indicate
whether the sentence's structure is singular or plural. Most verbs also indicate whether something
happened in the past, present, or future. This is not the case with most modal auxiliary verbs,
which makes them simpler to understand and use correctly.
Definition of modal auxiliary
: an auxiliary verb (such as can, must, might, may) that is characteristically used with a verb of
predication and expresses a modal modification and that in English differs formally from other
verbs in lacking -s and -ing forms
What is a modal verb?
A small group of auxiliary verbs, called the modal verbs (or modal auxiliary verbs, modal
auxiliaries, or simply modals) are only used in combination with ordinary verbs. A modal verb
changes the other verb's meaning to something different from simple fact. Modals may express
permission, ability, prediction, possibility, or necessity.
The principal modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, must, ought, shall, should, will, and
would.
The modal verbs are different from ordinary verbs in several ways: 1) they have no inflections at
all; that is, they lack an -ing form, an -ed form, and even an -s form for the third-person singular;
2) a modal verb is always followed by the infinitive form of a verb (unless that verb has already
been stated) but never follows another verb; 3) modal verbs do not follow to and are not
followed by to. (Ought to, like the near-modal verb have to, is a special case.)
In their simple form, modal verbs normally refer to present or future time:
I must be nearly there by now.
I might arrive a bit later than I'd anticipated.
A trip like this can take hours more than one expects.
Examples of Modal Auxiliary Verbs
So, now that we understand the purpose of modal auxiliary verbs, let's take a look at some of the
common ones you may see in writing. The modal auxiliary verbs include:
• Can
• Could
• May
• Might
• Must
• Ought
• Shall
• Should
• Will
• Would.
Details
The modals and modal phrases
(semi-modals) in English are:
• Will
• Shall
• Would
• Should
• Ought to
• Must
• Mustn’t
• May
• Might
• Can
• Could
• Have to/ Has to
• Don’t/ Doesn’t have to
Must Learn: Contraction Grammar in English
Examples Of Modal Verbs
1.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.
Il. Prohibition(must not)
You must not smoke in the hospital.
2. Can
ability
I can swim.
permission
Can I use your phone, please?
possibility
Smoking can cause cancer.
3. 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!
4. May
permission
May I use your phone, please?
possibility, probability
It may rain tomorrow!
5. Might
polite permission
Might I suggest an idea?
possibility, probability
I might go on holiday to Australia next year.
lack of necessity/absence of obligation (need not)I need not to buy tomatoes. There are plenty of
tomatoes in the fridge.
6. 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.
7. Will/Would
Polite request
Will you join me for lunch?
I would appreciate your assistance.
Formal request
Will you be quiet!
Would you please pay attention!
Show intention
He will arrive at the beginning of the concert.
They would be the first students to register for the workshop.
Make prediction
If she receives a scholarship, she will continue with her studies.
I would be surprised if he is not elected.
This article will explain to you 8 parts of speech and how to use them in sentences.
There are eight parts of speech.
NOUN
A noun is used to name people, places, objects, or ideas.
Examples:
• Adnan is an intelligent young
• Paris is the capital of
• Honesty is the best
• The doctor saved the life of the
PRONOUN
A pronoun is used in place of a noun.
Example:
• I have built a house.
• He gave me a nice gift.
• It is her sixteenth birthday.
ADJECTIVE
An adjective is used to describe or qualify a noun.Examples:
• I have written two chapters of this
• She is a pretty
• It is a tall
• Muhammad Ali was the greatest
VERB
A verb is used to describe an action.
Examples:Ali went to Karachi
He goes to the office every day.
She will not tell a lie.
I have done my duty.
ADVERB
An adverb is used to qualify a verb by telling us how, why, when, or where the actions take
place. It is also used to add to the meaning of an adjective, adverb, a preposition, or conjunction.
Example:He was walking quickly.
I am going now.
He is a brilliant young lady.
He singled the moment he saw the car.
He ran very fast.
Note: There are three kinds of adverbs.
• Adverbs of Manner
• Adverb of Place
• Adverb of Time
In a sentence, they are normally used in the order given above.
Note: When a sentence has a verb of movement, the adverb of place comes immediately after the
verb. Example: He went to Hawaii by Air yesterday.
Preposition
A preposition is used to show the relation of one thing to another. It is a word placed before a
noun or a pronoun to show in what relation the person or thing denoted by it stands in relation to
something else.
Example:We went about the world.
We take tea in the afternoon.
She sent the parcel by post.
The Eaglets won with ease.
It is a book of great value.
For one enemy he has a hundred friends.
From what I know of him, I hesitate to trust him.
Conjunction
A conjunction is used to join single words or groups of words to one another.
Example.
He could not jump the wall, though he tried again and again.
(Conjunction: though, and)
He squandered all his wealth after the death of his father.
(Conjunction: after)
He and his family left for Murree yesterday.
Also
Also is a conjunction, linking word. It is used to add an positive, agreeing thought. It is
commonly used in writing.
E.g. She Also had a sense of responsibility about it.
Besides
Besides means as well, in addition
E.g. What do you like besides the apple?
But
But is used to join two ideas that are opposites.
E.g. I am very hungry, but the fridge is empty.
 Even if
Even if means whether or not. It is used to emphasize that something will still be true if another
thing happens.
E.g. I still going to go swimming in the sea even if it rains.
Further
Further is an adverb. It means Also, additionally, and besides
E.g. He is very clever, further his father is very rich.
However
However can express a contract by Using the adverb however with two sentences. It is always
followed by a Comma.
E.g. He was feeling very ill. However, he went to School.
Therefore
Therefore Is used to show the result/effect of an action.
E.g. She came first. Therefore she got a good seat.
Unless
Unless means; except on the condition that. Unless needs a main clause to make a complete
sentence.
E.g. Unless you are to tired let’s go for a walk at the park.
Unlike
Unlike means different from, not similar to.
E.g. Jack is completely unlike his father.
Whereas
Whereas is used to show contract.
Conditionals clauses
There are four common conditionals clauses which are so important to learn.
(0)Zero Conditionals
(1)First conditional
(2)Second Conditional
(3) Third conditional
(0).Zero Condition
We use the zero conditional when we want to talk about facts or things that are generally true.
Structure
If+Present simple +present simple
E.g.If we offer prayer, we go to heaven.
(1).First conditional is the possible conditional. It is used to talk about possible future events and
their likely results.
Structure
If clause present simple+ result clause future simple.
E.g.If we work hard, we will get success.
(2) The second conditional is a structure used to talk about impossible or imaginary
situations.The type.
Structure
If clause past simple +result clause would, could, might, should.
E.g.If he ran, he would win the race.
(3). Third conditional refers to an impossible condition in the past and its probable result in the
past. These sentences are truly hypothetical and unreal because it is now too late for the
condition or its result to exist. The reality is the opposite of, or contrary to, what the sentence
expresses.
Structure
If clause Past perfect +result clause Would have, could have, must have.
E.g.If he had studied, he would have passed the exam.
English grammar guide, the grammatical rules covered by this guide are categorized below.
English grammar is not always easy to understand, but by using this guide you should be able to
remind yourself of the rules of English usage and speak or write English with confidence.
Nouns
Nouns are people, places, or things, They tell us what we are talking about. The words cat, Jack,
rock, Africa, & it are nouns.
Adjectives
Adjectives modify, or describe, nouns. The words tall, beautiful, irresponsible, & boring are
adjectives.
Adverbs
Adverbs modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs. They tell us how, when, and where things
happen. They express quantity, intensity, frequency, and opinions.
Determiners
Articles, quantifiers, and other determiners modify nouns. They resemble adjectives in that way.
Determiners help us say what we are talking about.
Verbs & verb tenses
Verbs are action words. They tell us what is happening and when (past, present, future). Verbs
can also express possibilities and conditions.
Speech
When we report what someone says, we can cite the person directly or indirectly. Indirect speech
rules are an important area of grammar.
Punctuation
Punctuation is not part of oral grammar, but it is essential to master in written English.
Relative clauses
We use relative clauses in English to create more complex and more precise sentences.
WHAT ARE PREPOSITIONS?
preposition (noun): a part-of-speech (one of the 9 parts) usually coming BEFORE a noun phrase
and connecting it to another part of the sentence.
The name preposition (pre + position) means "place BEFORE". A preposition typically comes
BEFORE another word—usually a noun or noun phrase. It tells us about the relationship
between the noun/phrase and another part of the sentence.
Some of the more common prepositions are:
- in, of, on, for, with, at, by.
Example sentences:
• The book is on the coffee table. (relates to space)
• We will travel in the summer.
(relates to time)
• I sent the documents by courier.
(relates to method)
Other relationships are also expressed by prepositions. In addition, more “esoteric” ideas can be
expressed; for example:
-- in love, beyond doubt, under investigation.
If a preposition does not come BEFORE another word, it will still be closely linked to another
word:
• WHO did you talk TO?
• TO WHOM did you talk?
• I talked TO PETER.
STRUCTURE
The majority of prepositions are single words, but some are two or three-word phrases:
• one-word prepositions (before, into, on)
• complex prepositions (according to, but for, in spite of)
When we say that a preposition comes before a noun phrase, we include:
• noun phrase (the green house)
John lives IN the green house.
• noun (chair)
John likes to sit ON the chair
• pronoun (us)
John talks TO us.
• gerund (verb in "ing" form: running)
John is used TO running every morning.
NOTE: for a verb to follow a preposition, it MUST be in "ing" form.
Prepositions are an integral part of our speech patterns. In fact, some of the prepositions fall
under "the most used words" in the English language.
The modal verbs in English are a small class of auxiliary verbs used to express possibility,
obligation, advice, permission, ability.
They can be distinguished from other verbs by their defectiveness (they do not have participle or
infinitive forms) and by their neutralization (that they do not take the ending -(e)s in the third-
person singular).
Must Learn: Daily Used Words in English
The principal English modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and
would.
Certain other verbs are sometimes, but not always, classed as modals; these include ought, had
better, and (in certain uses) dare and need.
Verbs that share only some of the characteristics of the principal modals are sometimes called
“quasi-modals,” “semi-modals,” or “pseudo-modals.”
Modal Verbs! A modal verb might also be referred to as a ‘helping verb’ and these are very
common within the English language.
There are, however, certain rules which surround their use, for example, the word ‘to’ must
never be used after a modal verb.
Learning these rules and how a modal verb can function within a sentence can greatly help you
in forming grammatically correct sentences.
In this section, we are going to take a look at the modal verb in a little more detail as well as
some examples of how it can be used, giving you a greater understanding of its function.
Learn the useful list of modal verbs and how to use 24 modal auxiliary verbs in English with
useful grammar rules, example sentences, and ESL pictures.
E.g. She is very funny whereas he is boring.